Meet Lacey Montes of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lacey Montes.

Hi Lacey, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Here’s a cleaned-up and more polished version that keeps your heart and personality in it while making the story flow naturally and professionally for an interview:

I’ve always dreamed of opening a coffee shop. When I first met my husband, one of the things we instantly connected over was our love for coffee. What I didn’t realize at the time was that he had already been roasting coffee on his family’s farm in El Salvador. Once we realized we both shared that same passion, we knew we had to do something with it someday.

Everyone around us knew how much we loved coffee, so when some friends of ours opened a clothing boutique and asked if we wanted to create a coffee space inside their shop, we jumped at the opportunity. We moved quickly, built our very first coffee cart, and officially launched Montecitos Coffee.

Things didn’t end up working out the way we originally planned, but instead of giving up, we pivoted. I couldn’t stand the thought of all of our equipment sitting in the garage collecting dust, so I suggested we start serving coffee right out of our garage — and that’s exactly what we did.

From there, things slowly started growing. We began booking more events and promoting Montecitos Coffee any way we could. I come from a marketing background, so I started reaching out to anyone and everyone, introducing people to our brand and sharing our story. Little by little, we built a name for ourselves.

Today, we’ve had the opportunity to be part of weddings, quinceañeras, baby showers, corporate events, marathons, community events, and so much more. What makes Montecitos Coffee special is that it’s deeply personal to us. Our coffee comes directly from my husband’s family farm in El Salvador, and we make all of our homemade syrups ourselves using high-quality, organic ingredients whenever possible.

We truly pour our hearts into every single event. We’re not just another coffee cart — we focus on creating an experience. When people hire Montecitos Coffee, they’re not just hiring coffee; they’re hiring passion, hospitality, quality, and a memorable experience for their guests.

We’re still growing, and we’re continuing to work hard behind the scenes on new ideas that will set us even further apart. We’re incredibly excited about what’s ahead and can’t wait to share more soon.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it definitely has not been a completely smooth road, and honestly, that’s been one of the biggest learning experiences for us. Neither of us came from the coffee business before starting Montecitos Coffee, so this was truly our first experience in the industry. We’ve learned everything as we’ve gone, and every event has taught us something new.

One of the biggest challenges we’ve faced has been learning how different every event truly is. Every event comes with its own setup, guest count, power situation, timing, and flow, so there has been a lot of trial and error along the way.

We’ve had to learn how to properly prepare for each event — making sure we have the right equipment, enough supplies, proper power access, and efficient systems behind the cart to keep lines moving smoothly. Managing the flow of customers while still creating a great experience has been a huge learning curve.

As we’ve grown, we’ve continued investing back into the business by purchasing new equipment and improving our setup based on what we learn from each event. Every single event teaches us something new, and we’ve learned to adapt quickly and continue improving.

I think one of our strengths is that we’re always willing to learn, evolve, and get better. Growth comes with challenges, but those challenges have helped shape Montecitos Coffee into what it is today, and we know we’ll continue learning as we grow even more.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Professionally, I’ve spent the majority of my career at NW Natural, where I’ve worked in marketing, customer acquisition, business development, and relationship management. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to lead and support programs focused on builders, developers, contractors, and customers throughout the Pacific Northwest. My role has really allowed me to combine strategy, marketing, communication, and relationship-building all into one career.

One thing I specialize in is building strong relationships and creating connections. I’ve always believed business is about people first, and I’m known for being someone who can bring people together, build trust, and create partnerships that last. Whether it’s working with builders, contractors, community organizations, or customers, I genuinely enjoy connecting with people and helping move ideas forward.

I’m also known for being someone who isn’t afraid to jump in, figure things out, and make things happen. I’m very driven, creative, and solution-oriented. Throughout my career, I’ve managed large marketing initiatives, events, strategic programs, and partnerships, often juggling many moving pieces at once while still staying focused on the bigger picture.

What I’m most proud of is the impact I’ve been able to make while continuing to grow as a leader. My career at NW Natural has shaped me tremendously. It taught me how to communicate professionally, manage relationships, market a brand, solve problems under pressure, and think strategically. Those experiences have directly carried over into building Montecitos Coffee.

In many ways, Montecitos Coffee is where my professional experience and personal passion came together. My background in marketing and relationship management helped us grow our brand, connect with customers, promote ourselves, and create experiences that stand out. At the same time, building our coffee business has pushed me creatively and personally in ways I never expected.

I think what sets me apart is that I bring both professionalism and heart into everything I do. Whether I’m working in a corporate environment or serving coffee at an event, I care deeply about people, experiences, and creating something meaningful. I’m someone who truly pours everything I have into the work I do, and I think people feel that when they work with me or support our business.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I define success as building something meaningful, creating connections, and making an impact on the people around me. To me, success isn’t just about money or how big a business becomes. It’s about getting out there, taking the chance, building something from the ground up, and creating experiences that bring people together.

One of the things that means the most to me is supporting other women, small businesses, and entrepreneurs. I love connecting with people, collaborating, and helping lift others up along the way. Being part of a community where people support one another is a huge win for me.

In both my career at NW Natural and with Montecitos Coffee, the relationships and connections I’ve built have been the most rewarding part. Seeing people enjoy something we created, hearing how much they loved the experience, or simply connecting with others through coffee — that’s success to me.

I also believe success is about growth and continuing to learn. Neither my husband nor I came from the coffee industry, so every challenge and every event has taught us something new. We’ve learned as we’ve gone, and I’m proud of the fact that we took a dream and turned it into something real.

At the end of the day, success to me is doing something you’re passionate about, creating meaningful connections, supporting others, and being brave enough to go after what you love.

Pricing:

• $500

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.montecitoscoffee.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/montecitoscoffee/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/montecitoscoffee/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/112893029