Today we’d like to introduce you to Juanny Romero. They and their team shared their story with us below:
Juanny Romero’s story is brewed from the coffee plantations of Ecuador to the bustling streets of Queens, New York, and has now found home in the neon vibrancy of Las Vegas. Her journey, much like the rich coffee she roasts, is layered with diverse experiences, profound emotions, and a relentless pursuit of connection and community.
Born from the unlikely pairing of two immigrants – one from Ecuador and the other from Korea — in Queens, Romero grew up encapsulated in the pulsing energy of New York City. Yet, beneath the city’s dynamic exterior, she grappled with an unwelcome companion: a profound sense of loneliness. This solitude, while uncomfortable, kindled within her a yearning for community and connection. Little did she know this personal struggle would one day shape her life’s mission.
Romero’s Ecuadorian heritage played a vital role in her life. On a trip to her ancestral home, she found herself amidst the vibrant green coffee fields, watching farmers labor under the sun, hands dyed with soil, carefully sorting beans. This image imprinted itself onto Romero’s heart, as did the parallel between her own resilience and the farmer’s dedication to excellence despite the difficulty.
Carrying the image of these farmers and her father’s legacy of home-brewed coffee, Romero moved across the country to the lively city of Las Vegas. Here, in this city of dreams, she turned her own into reality by founding Mothership Coffee Roasters at the age of 26. As an homage to her love of science fiction, she not only named the business after her love of reading SciFi and fantasy books but also intertwined her personal story of loneliness within the company’s mission.
Mothership Coffee Roasters isn’t just another coffee company. Under Romero’s guidance, it has evolved into a beacon of inclusivity and a stronghold of community building. She leveraged her sense of loneliness to create an environment where every person—farmer, employee, or customer—feels seen, valued, and connected.
In a move that bucked industry norms, she leaned into her commitment to diversity and empowerment. Mothership Coffee Roasters proudly stands as a minority and women-led venture –one of only two west of the Mississippi, dedicated to recognizing the hard work of female coffee growers and fostering fair-trade relationships with these farms.
Romero’s approach to business is a testament to her transformative journey. The loneliness she once experienced now fuels her quest to create a community for those who share a similar sense of solitude. Through every cup of coffee sold, Mothership Coffee Roasters works to dissolve barriers, foster connections, and create unity.
Today, Juanny Romero, the young girl from Queens, is a trailblazer in Las Vegas. The CEO of a thriving women’s and minority-owned coffee business, she’s a shining example of turning personal struggles into a powerful mission. She uses her platform to uplift the unseen heroes of the coffee industry, all while serving a damn fine cup of coffee.
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?
Juanny Romero, CEO of Mothership Coffee Roasters, knows all about tough times. She started her first coffee shop when the Great Recession was at its worst. For two years, she was losing money, working more than one job just to keep things running. The risk didn’t stop there. She almost ran out of money when she tried to open a second location years later, but again she didn’t give up.
When things get tough, Romero keeps learning. She brushed up on math skills, from simple problems to complex equations, because she knew how important it was for her business. She even took several accounting courses, and even though it was hard, she knew it was vital for the success of her coffee shop. When the pandemic hit, it threw a lot of things off balance, but Romero was quick to adapt. She took a hard look at what mattered most to her, both personally and in her business. She tried to grow her team but stumbled a few times along the way. Yet, with every misstep, she learned something new and worked hard to make her company a better place to work. Romero’s journey shows that with a never-give-up attitude and a hunger for learning, you can overcome any challenge.
Her journey is full of lessons for any aspiring entrepreneur. No matter the odds stacked against her, she faced them head-on. It wasn’t about avoiding the hurdles but finding a way over them. There were times when the struggle seemed too much when the lights seemed ready to go out. But it was in those darkest hours that Romero’s determination shone brightest. She taught herself critical skills, even when it meant going back to the basics. It wasn’t easy, but it was necessary.
In business and in life, Romero believes in moving forward and adapting to new circumstances. Her story is a powerful reminder that success isn’t always a straight path. It’s often a winding road filled with ups and downs, but with courage, resilience, and a willingness to learn, it’s a road that can lead to incredible places.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Mothership Coffee?
I am proud to lead Mothership Coffee Roasters as a woman and minority-owned business. This aspect of our identity gives us a unique perspective and reinforces our commitment to inclusivity and diversity, both within our team and in the communities we serve. Our journey echoes the narratives of countless other women and minorities who have fought against the odds to make their mark in their chosen fields. It is a testament to our resilience, our strength, and our capacity to create change, one cup of coffee at a time.
Mothership Coffee is not just about selling coffee; we’re about creating connections. In today’s fast-paced, digital world, feelings of isolation and loneliness are more prevalent than ever. That’s why we’re making it our mission to combat the epidemic of loneliness. Our coffee shops aren’t just stores; they’re spaces for interaction, for connection, for community building. Each of our locations is designed to encourage conversation and foster a sense of belonging. We believe that a simple cup of coffee can serve as a bridge, linking diverse individuals and nurturing mutual understanding and respect.
We see our coffee as a catalyst, sparking discussions and inspiring shared experiences. By connecting through coffee, we aim to bring people together, creating micro-communities within our larger community. We want Mothership Coffee Roasters to be a haven where people can not only enjoy a delicious cup of coffee but also connect with others, learn something new, and feel part of something bigger than themselves.
This commitment extends beyond our physical locations. We are conscious of the role we play in empowering other women and minorities. We strive to use our platform to elevate their voices and narratives, further enriching our community with a multitude of perspectives.
Ultimately, at Mothership Coffee Roasters, we believe in the power of coffee to bring people together, and we’re here to foster those connections. Each cup we serve is an invitation to join us in our mission to end loneliness, one conversation — and one delicious cup of coffee — at a time.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Certainly, there is a personal aspect of my life that might surprise those who know me primarily through Mothership Coffee Roasters. Beyond my role as a CEO and my passion for coffee, I am also deeply spiritual. My faith in God is a cornerstone of my life, and it guides my actions and decisions in ways that may not always be apparent in the bustling atmosphere of a coffee shop.
One of the most profound experiences in my spiritual journey happened during the most ordinary of tasks: making eggs for my children. While doing this, I was listening to Sydney Banks, a renowned theosopher whose teachings have greatly influenced my perspective. As his words filled the kitchen, I had a transcendent experience that felt as though I was stepping into a golden world.
In this moment, I felt an intense connection, a sense of unity that seemed to link every individual on the planet. It was as though we were all separate, each leading our unique lives yet simultaneously part of a singular entity. It was an experience of both unity and diversity, a paradox that was deeply humbling and profoundly enlightening. This experience shaped my worldview, influencing not only my personal life but also how I approach my work at Mothership Coffee Roasters.
This sense of unity and connection mirrors the mission of Mothership Coffee Roasters: to connect people and create community. We might all be separate individuals, each with our unique tastes and preferences (even when it comes to coffee!), yet we are all connected in our shared human experience, in our shared need for connection, and in our shared desire to belong.
In essence, my faith and my spiritual journey are deeply intertwined with my role at Mothership Coffee Roasters. Although not everyone may share my faith or have had similar spiritual experiences, it is my hope that through a love of coffee and beautiful cafe spaces, we can find our individual ways to be together as one.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mothershipcoffee.com
- Instagram: @mothershipcoffee
- Facebook: @mothershipcoffee
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juanny/
- Twitter: @mothershipcoffee
- Youtube: @mothershipcoffee
