Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Vasquez.
Hi Ashley, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today. You can include as little or as much detail as you’d like.
If we want to go way back, it really started when my dad was 18 years old and immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico. After a whole lot of strife and struggle, he opened up his own bar in a small town, and now he’s been in business for 30 years. I was helping out with the family business in one way or another since I could walk.
I loved building relationships with customers and seeing my dad always creatively tinkering about, trying to make little improvements here and there. I’ve always known I’d someday own my own business too.
In March of 2020 — the night before the world shut down — I met my now boyfriend through a mutual friend. Our chemistry was instant, but the announcement of a global pandemic led to a dating life that was slightly unconventional yet immensely more interesting.
With the world under lockdown, we didn’t have the option of building our relationship through dinner dates and nights out on the town. Instead, we decided to take a risk and do something radically different — launch a coffee company together. Our creative drive and similar taste in humor formed the basis for our new brand.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
To preface this answer, I am forever grateful for the many opportunities I’ve had in my life. Many people have not had the same advantages as I have. My parents have given me excellent business and life advice along the way, my friends have been supportive and my community has been receptive.
With that said, there have definitely been struggles. Coffee is a competitive industry. TBD coffee Co is amazing, but everyone talks about how amazing their coffee is. Honing in on a niche of customers that appreciates our off-the-wall, irreverent humor has been a welcome, but still difficult challenge.
I use authenticity as my north star and I believe at a philosophical level that staying true to myself and to the brand will continue to bring fulfillment and success.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about TBD Coffee Co?
We pair excellent coffee with internet humor. With names like “Per my last email,” “Gotta Put Pants on Today”, and “Pete Davidson Dated this Coffee”, our mission is to become “the internet’s favorite coffee”, combining bold flavors with an even bolder personality.
Our coffee is specialty grade and roasted fresh after customers place an order, unlike grocery stores or Amazon coffee, which has been sitting on shelves for an average of 4 months since the roast date.
Additionally, we buy our coffee beans directly from farmers all around the world, instead of through a mass importer service. This means the farmers get a better deal, customers get a higher-quality bean and we can make sure all of our coffee is sustainably and ethically grown.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
In the words of my big brother, I was “a real firecracker”, whatever that means.
I was into the usual 90s stuff, I guess – music, rollerblading, burning CDs, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Beyond that, I spent a lot of my time working at my parents’ bar and dreaming of seeing more of the world.
I loved being from a small town, but I had dynamic interests and was dying to explore and go on adventures, which I do to the max today.
Pricing:
- Per My Last Email Dark Roast – $17.99
- This Coffee Dated Pete Davidson – $18.99
- Pan de Muerto Mexican Chocolate – $18.99
- Therapy in a Bag Mocha – $17.99
Contact Info:
- Email: ashley@tbdcoffeeco.com
- Website: https://www.tbdcoffeeco.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tbdcoffeeco
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tbdCoffeeCo
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/tbdCoffeeCo
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtrRBq6Cal6NyeftPX5WqOQ
- Tiktok: @tbdcoffeeco
Image Credits
Zachary Dripps
