Today we’d like to introduce you to Adriana Garcia Mercado
Hi Adriana, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Puerto Rico, where coffee is a fundamental part of our culture. I started working at a coffee shop, and that experience made me fall in love with specialty coffee. In the middle of the pandemic, I decided to pursue this passion further and got certified as a barista.
Life took an unexpected turn when my husband enlisted in the military, and we had to move out of Puerto Rico to North Carolina. Thoughts of opening my own coffee shop were definitely there, especially because where we were located, there weren’t many Puerto Ricans. It was a culture shock, to say the least. Later on, we decided to move to Florida, and although it felt a little more like home because of the community, good coffee was still missing, especially in my area.
That’s when we decided to build our own specialty coffee bar to bring to markets, local activities, and any type of event. Our purpose was to focus on building community. I want everyone who drinks a cup of coffee from us to be reminded of home and feel a little closer to where they come from.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road. When we moved out of Puerto Rico, first to North Carolina, it was a huge culture shock. We were far from everything familiar, surrounded by a community where Puerto Rican culture wasn’t present. It was hard to feel at home, and the idea of opening a coffee shop seemed distant and almost impossible.
Later, when we moved to Florida, we felt more connected to the community, but there was still something missing—good specialty coffee, especially in our area. We saw an opportunity to bring a taste of home to the community, and that’s when we decided to build our own specialty coffee bar. But the journey was anything but easy, we had to make everything from scratch. From designing and building the coffee cart ourselves to figuring out how to bring our vision to life, every step required sacrifice.
Despite the struggles, our passion for coffee and our desire to create that sense of belonging kept us going. We worked towards our goal relentlessly, knowing that each sacrifice was a step closer to making our dream a reality.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Professionally, I have a bachelor’s in Business Administration, and my husband is a retired Marine. Together, we run a specialty coffee bar designed to bring a taste of Puerto Rico to the community. Our coffee is imported directly from Puerto Rico, allowing us to share the authentic flavors of the island. But we didn’t just stop at sourcing great coffee—we decided to build our bar completely from scratch. From designing and constructing the coffee cart ourselves to crafting every detail of the customer experience, we poured our hearts into making this dream a reality.
We specialize in creating authentic Puerto Rican coffee drinks that highlight the rich, bold flavors of the island. But what truly sets us apart is our commitment to building community. For us, it’s not just about the coffee; it’s about creating a space where people feel connected and reminded of home. We want every person who visits our coffee bar to feel a sense of belonging, especially those who, like us, are far from where they grew up.
I’m most proud of the fact that we built this from the ground up with nothing but a vision and the determination to bring it to life. Every detail reflects our love for our culture and our passion for coffee. It’s incredibly rewarding to see people connect with that and to know that we’re not just serving coffee, we’re creating a sense of home.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
My business wasn’t open during the Covid-19 crisis, but at the time, I was working at a coffee shop, which allowed me to witness firsthand the significant impacts it had on the industry. I saw how quickly things could change, from supply chain disruptions to shifts in customer behavior. It taught me the importance of adaptability and resilience in running a small business.
Those experiences shaped the way I approached building my own coffee bar. I kept in mind the challenges I had seen, such as the need for flexible operations and the importance of connecting with customers even during difficult times. It also reinforced the value of community, and how people crave connection and comfort, especially during uncertain moments.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/encantoscafe_?igsh=Zm5weW9jaTFyYWNy&utm_source=qr
- Other: https://linktr.ee/encantoscafe?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=bf115a16-add2-4e07-b4fd-c693eb8a4e93
