Meet Sofia Garcilazo of SOJO Coffee Company

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sofia Garcilazo

Hi Sofia, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey with SOJO Coffee is rooted in both personal experience and cultural heritage. It started during my time as a barista, working my way up to a managerial role at Starbucks while I was also in nursing school. Although I loved coffee, my main passion was helping others, which led me into a career as a nurse. When the pandemic hit, I found myself on the front lines, where I gained a deeper appreciation for community and resilience. It shaped how I view the importance of human connection and service.

As I moved into a leadership role as Director of Staff Development, I began reflecting on other ways I could make a meaningful impact. That’s when my husband, Jesse, and I decided to take a leap and start SOJO Coffee. Our goal was to not only showcase high-quality coffee but also celebrate our cultural roots. For me, being Salvadoran, coffee has always been part of my family’s story. Before the civil war, my family worked in coffee farming in El Salvador. However, those ties were disrupted by the conflict, and we lost that connection. SOJO has been a way for me to reconnect with my family and our heritage in such a meaningful way.

We are especially proud to be the first company to produce a canned cold brew using Salvadoran beans. It’s a point of pride for me to introduce the world to the rich and unique flavors of Salvadoran coffee while also telling the story of my roots. SOJO Coffee is more than just a business – it’s a celebration of culture, family, and the craft of coffee. We’re excited to continue growing and sharing our journey through every cup and can we create.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, and we’ve definitely faced challenges along the way. One of the biggest hurdles was transitioning from our established careers—mine in healthcare and Jesse’s in software engineering—into running a business. While we had the passion and vision, building a coffee company from the ground up involved a steep learning curve, from figuring out logistics to navigating an entirely different industry.

On top of that, we’ve faced the typical challenges that come with being a small business—especially when it comes to funding and marketing. Establishing ourselves in a competitive market and getting the word out about what makes SOJO special required a lot of time, effort, and persistence. As a Latina entrepreneur, there were moments where visibility and recognition felt like a constant uphill battle. But through all of this, we’ve learned to be resilient.

Every struggle we’ve faced has made us stronger and more determined. Building SOJO Coffee has been about more than just selling a product—it’s about sharing our culture and creating something that we’re deeply proud of. Each challenge has ultimately helped shape our path and made the success we’ve achieved even more meaningful.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At SOJO Coffee Company, we’re all about blending culture and quality in a way that’s authentic and innovative. We specialize in using Salvadoran beans, and we’re incredibly proud to be the first company to produce a canned cold brew made with these beans. Our ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages are crafted with care, with a focus on bringing Latin American flavors to the forefront.

What sets us apart is the story behind our brand. SOJO Coffee is deeply personal to both Jesse and me. For me, it’s a way to reconnect with my family’s coffee-farming roots in El Salvador, which were disrupted during the civil war. Each cup represents not only a high-quality product but also a piece of our heritage. That connection to culture is something we want to share with every customer.

The name SOJO itself carries a special meaning. It’s a blend of our names and personal histories. My husband, Jesse, has the middle name Josh, but he goes by Jesse in the professional world. We took “SO” from Sofia and “JO” from Josh to create SOJO Coffee. It reflects our partnership, not just in life but in business, and it’s a constant reminder of the shared commitment we have to building something meaningful and rooted in who we are. We wanted a name that felt personal, and SOJO represents both of our journeys.

We’re also very particular about quality. We carefully source our beans, focusing on ethical partnerships and sustainability to ensure that what ends up in your cup is as fresh and flavorful as possible. We take pride in our signature product, Cabal Cold Brew, which reflects the bold, smooth flavors of Salvadoran coffee in every sip.

Brand-wise, I’m most proud of how far we’ve come in a relatively short time. From being a small, family-owned business, we’ve grown into something that stands out in the competitive coffee industry. We’ve worked hard to create a product that’s not only delicious but meaningful.

For your readers, I want them to know that when they enjoy SOJO Coffee, they’re not just drinking coffee—they’re experiencing a blend of tradition, passion, and innovation. Whether it’s grabbing a can of our cold brew or supporting a business with a cultural story, SOJO Coffee is here to offer something unique. We’re not just another coffee brand—we’re here to celebrate and share our roots through every sip.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I believe the most important quality that has contributed to our success is resilience. Building SOJO Coffee from the ground up hasn’t been easy, and there were many moments where the challenges felt overwhelming. But what kept us moving forward was the ability to adapt, learn, and persevere no matter the obstacles.

Resilience allowed us to navigate the steep learning curve of starting a business, balance our roles as entrepreneurs, and push through the difficulties that come with establishing a brand in a competitive industry. It’s about being flexible, finding solutions, and staying committed to our vision even when the road gets tough. For me, this quality has been shaped by my experience in healthcare, where I learned the importance of being calm and focused under pressure. I’ve carried that mindset into SOJO, and it’s helped us grow the business into what it is today.

At the heart of our resilience is our passion for sharing something meaningful—our coffee, our story, and our culture. That’s what keeps us going.

Pricing:

• Whole Bean Roasted Coffee $19.99
• 4 Pack Canned Cold Brew $15.99

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.Sojocoffeecompany.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sojo_coffee_company?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SOJOCoffeeCompany?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Image Credits
SOJO Coffee Company