From Craigslist to Three Cafes
The Brewpoint Story
When I first graduated from college and started working in the corporate world, I felt like something was missing. Call it fate but at the same time, I ended up meeting Angelo, my now husband. Angelo encouraged me to take a leap, find my purpose, and take a chance. That’s when when I discovered my love for coffee and the idea of opening a coffee shop.
To me, coffee shops have always been more than a place to simply grab a cup of coffee and go. They're a place to build community, to connect with others over a delicious cup of coffee, and a place of comfort. That's how Brewpoint Coffee was born.
One day, as I was browsing Craigslist for an espresso machine, I stumbled upon a coffee shop that was selling an espresso machine along with the entire space for a shop. Angelo and I decided it was a bit too good to not check out. With little money and no detailed business plan or prior experience, we opened the first Brewpoint Coffee shop, Brewpoint Founders Café, in September 2014.
Since then, Brewpoint Coffee has grown into a thriving coffee business with four coffee shops, a coffee roastery, and a premier event space. Truly, Brewpoint is not just a business to us. It’s a platform and ecosystem for building the world we want to see.
At Brewpoint Coffee, we're passionate about sourcing the highest quality coffee beans and roasting them to perfection. We're committed to creating a welcoming space where everyone feels at home, where they can come together, and where they can experience the passion and love that goes into every cup of coffee.
If you're a coffee lover looking for a place to connect with others over great coffee, we invite you to join the Brewpoint Coffee community. Visit one of our four coffee shops or check out our book, Starting and Running a Coffee Shop, to learn more about our story and our commitment to coffee and community.
Melissa Villanueva, Founder & CEO
Meet Melissa Villanueva
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The Power of Entrepreneurism
Melissa is the CEO, owner, and founder of Brewpoint Coffee. Brewpoint has four coffee shops, a wholesale roastery, a premiere event space, and a book called, “Starting & Running a Coffee Shop.” Brewpoint Coffee has been mentioned onForbes, Entrepreneur, Fast Company, Sprudge,and a number of leading publications.
Melissa is most proud of building a thriving business that she 100% owns and leads. This is important because profit often dictates a business owners decisions, but if you have the power to fully decide on why you do what you do, you can build a system that is not just about profit, but is about social and environmental impact. -
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Why coffee shops make the world a better place.
Coffee shops are a modern day watering hole for a community. The phrase, “Want to go out for coffee?” is not only for fanatic coffee drinkers. It is a symbolic space for connection and creativity. It is easily accessible as it doesn’t have a high ticket average and it doesn’t have an age restriction. If coffee shops were only about the product, they would only be kiosks or drive-thrus. The urge for people to own a coffee shop is often not motivated purely by profit, but because they want to create a special place for their community. In a world where technology dominates and human connection is limited, coffee shops facilitate a different culture that gives communities a place to breathe.
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How can I help you?
If you are looking for someone for:
- Speaking Engagements
- Team Building Events
- Entrepreneur Event Planning
With a focus on women, minority, and entrepreneurial markets. I'd love to speak with you.
OR if you are in need of:
- Coffee Shop Consulting
- Coffee Program Consulting
- Coffee Equipment Consulting & Repairs
Don't hesitate to reach out.
