Today we’d like to introduce you to Hannah Groen. They and their team shared their story with us below:
Hannah grew up in a family of entrepreneurs in the Midwest. Growing up around business, she became dedicated and inspired to eventually start one of her own. Hannah has formed a relationship with Jenny and Robert Barber and partnered with them as she saw the dream in their heart to combine anti-trafficking with business.
Unknown to her, partnering with the Barbers would eventually lead Hannah to be the owner of a Inicio Coffee in San Fernando Valley, California.
We wanted to be a part of the solution to anti-trafficking through prevention. We realized through the combination of coffee and business; we could holistically end exploitation. For seven years, the Barbers dreamed, planned, and learned the ins and outs of coffee, including learning to roast coffee on a popcorn machine in a small garage. In 2019, we signed a business license knowing there was a future for our business even if we weren’t certain of how it would play out.
Our small beginnings remind us daily of why we’re here. Inicio Coffee Company is a statement of believing in dreams, hoping for the impossible, and seeing that change is possible. We want our loyal coffee drinkers to change for the better. Change their lives and go after their dreams. Change the world around them and fight for something bigger than themselves. Visit us in Pacoima, California, and join the initiative to inspire change with every cup.
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?
In 2020, we stumbled upon a space that had potential to host our dream, so we signed for the space and began remodeling just as the beginning of what would turn into a worldwide pandemic. On January 8th, 2021, Hannah and the Barbers opened the doors of a specialty coffee shop and roastery to serve the community of Pacoima. With a much less of a traffic flow of customers, we pushed through the pandemic.
We thought we were out of the woods as things began to start becoming “normal” again, but then a huge challenge that surfaced was the writers’ strike as we are in a location surrounded by studios and stages. As this strike has finally coming to an end, we are starting to see a more regular flow of customers that find us on their way to work or for their lunch break.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business.
Here at Inicio Coffee, we do more than just serve exceptional coffee. We’re here to change lives. Our heart is to see the end of modern-day slavery and rewrite the story for survivors of trafficking. With every cup of coffee, you’re joining the initiative to change lives and inspire hope. We can’t wait for you to be a part of what we’re doing.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
With a vision to end exploitation holistically, Robert & Jenny Barber established Justice 180 as a nonprofit organization in 2015. When Hannah Groen joined an anti-trafficking school led by Justice 180, she was asked to join the Barbers in their vision to fight trafficking.
Inicio Coffee supports Justice 180 as a primary partner. We support their stance to see those who are affected by sexual exploitation reached, equipped, and empowered as they bridge the gap from recovery to re-entry and to inspire communities to do the same.
Contact Info:
- Website: iniciocoffee.com
- Instagram: @iniciocoffeecompany
- Facebook: Inicio Coffee
- Yelp: Inicio Coffee
