Hidden Gems: Meet Dalia Flores of Benito Coffee

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dalia Flores.

Hi Dalia, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Benito Coffee started as a mom-and-daughter business built by two immigrants in Los Angeles who wanted a space where we could pour our creativity into the things we loved most: coffee, cooking, and the traditions we grew up with. What started as a small idea became a way for us to share a part of ourselves and create something that felt warm, personal, and genuine.

We chose the name Benito because of our dog, Benito, who has always been such a big part of our lives. Even now, he still carries around his little teddy bear everywhere he goes, and that became the inspiration behind our signature Teddy Bread. It’s a small detail, but for us it represents comfort, love, and the little things that make something feel like home.

From the beginning, we knew we didn’t just want to sell coffee. We wanted to create drinks that felt special and memorable while still serving genuinely good coffee. We care deeply about quality, but we also love having the freedom to get creative with flavors and inspiration from different cultures and experiences. Inspired by flavors from around the world, we started creating drinks that feel unique, comforting, and exciting all at once. Every syrup is thoughtfully made, every ingredient matters, and we’ve always believed that if we wouldn’t personally love it, we wouldn’t serve it.

Benito Coffee has always been about more than coffee. It’s about creativity, culture, connection, and creating something people can truly feel when they coming to us.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Starting a business in a country I didn’t grow up in was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I wanted to make sure I was doing everything the right way, so I spent so much time researching on my own, trying to understand all the rules, regulations, permits, and processes. There were many moments where it felt overwhelming and lonely having to figure everything out by myself.

On top of that, we faced a lot of rejection. Some places that proudly said they “support entrepreneurs” told us were not good enough, and hearing that was honestly heartbreaking at times. It was a hard reality check because people often talk about the exciting side of starting a business, but not enough about the struggles, the self-doubt, and the closed doors along the way.

But looking back now, I’m really proud of how far we have come. Every challenge taught me something, and reminded me why I started in the first place. It wasn’t a smooth road at all, but it’s a journey that shaped me in so many ways.

We’ve been impressed with Benito Coffee, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Benito Coffee started from a simple idea: coffee should feel exciting again. We’re still growing and building our place, but from the beginning, our goal has been to create something beyond a regular cup of coffee, something memorable, creative, and full of personality.

We believe in serving a genuinely good cup of coffee first, while also giving ourselves the freedom to create fun and unique drinks that people can get excited about. For us, quality coffee and creativity go hand in hand. We specialize in specialty-grade coffee with globally inspired flavors, especially drinks inspired by desserts from around the world. Every menu is created with intention, from handmade syrups to seasonal concepts, because we want each drink to feel thoughtful, unique, and memorable.

Quality is at the heart of what we do, which is why we focus on sourcing coffee from award-winning farms in Mexico, like Finca Santa Cruz, that prioritize sustainability and ethical practices. We believe great coffee deserves just as much care and attention as the creative flavors built around it.

What truly sets Benito apart is the experience we’re creating. From our signature Teddy Bread to our creative approach to flavor, Benito is built to feel warm, personal, and genuinely different. We’re still refining and evolving, but that journey is part of what makes this brand so meaningful to us.

More than anything, Benito Coffee is a passion-driven brand in the making, rooted in creativity, quality, and connection. We’re proud of what we’ve built so far, and even more excited for what’s ahead.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
One of the biggest lessons Benito Coffee has taught me is the power of persistence and consistency, two things I honestly used to struggle with. This journey showed me that when you stay passionate, patient, and keep showing up even when things feel uncertain, doors can open that you never even imagined possible. Benito made me realize that when people say “don’t give up” and “be persistent,” they’re actually giving you almost the whole secret to building something real. Success doesn’t usually happen overnight, but consistency is what turns passion into opportunities.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benito.coffee