Check Out Ron Dizon’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ron Dizon.

Hi Ron, 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?
I was born in the Philippines and came to the U.S. when I was four. My family didn’t have much—we lived in a converted garage in L.A. before eventually settling in Orange County. I didn’t grow up with a silver spoon, but I grew up with work ethic. I spent over 20 years in engineering, working for places like Toyota, Hyundai, Honda, Faraday Future, and even SpaceX. But deep down, I always knew I wanted to build something of my own.

In 2017, I had a conversation with my mom that changed my life. She mentioned how we don’t see Filipino coffee in stores or cafes. That hit me. It made me realize how much of our culture, especially our contributions to the coffee world, was being overlooked. I started researching and booked a trip to the Philippines in 2018. I met with farmers, tasted their harvests, and saw the potential that no one else was paying attention to.

By 2019, I was working farmers markets and catering events, sharing this story through every cup. Then in March 2020—right as the world shut down—I opened the first Teofilo Coffee Company shop. No big investor. No PR team. Just grit, community support, and a mission to bring Filipino coffee to the front. From there, we’ve grown slowly but intentionally, with new locations, partnerships, and most importantly—direct relationships with farmers back home.

Today, Teofilo Coffee is more than a brand. It’s a bridge between cultures, a platform to empower our farmers, and a reminder that even if you start from zero, you can build something that matters.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all—it’s been anything but smooth. But that’s the part that makes the journey real.

Starting Teofilo Coffee Company, I didn’t have outside investors or a playbook. I was funding things out of pocket while raising a family and still working in engineering. When the pandemic hit in 2020, we opened our first brick-and-mortar location just days before shutdowns began. No foot traffic, no roadmap—just a lot of uncertainty and bills that didn’t stop.

There were days we made less than $100, and nights I questioned if it was worth it. I’ve dealt with expensive green coffee costs, import logistics, and navigating a market that didn’t even know Filipino coffee existed. I had to educate people while also running the business, roasting, delivering, and wearing every hat possible.

But the biggest struggle? Getting people to believe in something they’ve never seen or tasted before. There was no hype around Philippine coffee when I started. It was misunderstood or ignored. So I had to build awareness from the ground up, one cup at a time.

Through it all, what kept me going was the mission—to support our farmers back home, and to show that we belong in the global coffee conversation. The road hasn’t been easy, but every bump, every challenge, has made this story more meaningful.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At Teofilo Coffee Company, we specialize in one thing: pure Philippine coffee. No blends with other origins. No shortcuts. Everything we roast comes straight from Filipino soil—grown by farmers who’ve been doing this for generations but never got the spotlight they deserve.

I’m proud to say we work directly with producers across the Philippines—from Benguet Arabica to Liberica (Barako) and Excelsa in Davao and Laguna. We roast in-house, we educate our customers, and we focus on storytelling through every bag and every brew.

What sets us apart? We’re not just a coffee shop—we’re a movement. We’re redefining what Filipino coffee looks like in the global market. Most people don’t even know the Philippines has been growing coffee for over 280 years. We’re changing that by leading with quality, authenticity, and transparency.

I’m most proud of how far we’ve come without compromising our values. We didn’t follow trends—we built something rooted in culture, identity, and purpose. Now we’re being recognized not just for our coffee, but for our impact—supporting farmers, creating jobs, and helping our community take pride in something that’s always been ours.

Teofilo isn’t just a brand—it’s my family’s name. And every cup is a reminder of where we come from and where we’re headed.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I’ve taken risks my whole life—sometimes by choice, sometimes by necessity. I wasn’t born into money or handed a business. I had to bet on myself over and over again. So yeah, I’d say I’m a risk-taker, but not the reckless kind. I calculate my risks, then commit.

One of the biggest risks I took was opening Teofilo Coffee Company in March 2020—right as the pandemic hit. Everything was uncertain. People were closing businesses, not starting them. But I knew if I didn’t move forward, the moment might never come back. I had already invested time, energy, and savings. So I opened the doors with faith, hustle, and a mission that was bigger than the fear.

I also took a risk focusing 100% on Philippine coffee. Most people told me to add Latin or African origins to make it easier to sell. I didn’t. I stuck with our roots, even when it meant slower growth. That was intentional—because I believe in building something real, even if it takes longer.

To me, risk isn’t just about money. It’s about identity. It’s about standing for something. And sometimes, the biggest risk is doing what no one else is doing—because no one else sees the vision yet. But that’s how you create change. That’s how you build legacy.

Pricing:

• 4oz bags of single origin Philippine coffee: $20
• Cold brew bottles (ready-to-drink): $8
• Espresso drinks and specialty lattes at our cafés: typically range from $5 to $7

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.teofilocoffeecompany.com.
• Instagram: Teofilocoffeecompany
• Facebook: Teofilocoffeecompany
• LinkedIn: Teofilocoffeecompany
• Youtube: Teofilocoffee
• Yelp: Teofilocoffeecompany