Rising Stars: Meet Angela Padilla of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Padilla.

Hi Angela, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Coffee has always been a big part of my life. Some of my favorite memories are centered around cafecito con pan—sitting with family or friends, talking, laughing, and just connecting. That’s always been my favorite thing about coffee. There’s something about a cup of coffee that lowers people’s guard and creates space for real conversation and connection in a way that doesn’t always happen otherwise.

Funny enough, my husband and I actually met over a cup of coffee back in 2017.

Then in 2021, everything really began to shift for me. One day I was in my prayer closet talking to God about our finances. During that time, finances were a constant weight on my heart because we had become a single-income household, and there was a lot that came with that. I remember feeling overwhelmed and grieving the reality of not always having enough to cover rent or bills—it’s a very heavy place to be.

While I was praying, I had this strong feeling that I needed to open a coffee shop. In that same moment, the name came to me: The Secret Place Coffee. I could even picture what I hoped it would become in the future. At the time, I had no idea how it would happen, and because nothing moved right away, I kind of brushed it off.

Then in early 2023, a very dear friend of mine, Jess, sent me a page she found on Instagram. It was a guy helping people navigate how to start a coffee business. I reached out to him—and honestly, from there, everything started coming together. That’s really when The Secret Place Coffee officially came to life.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not at all. Before 2023, I worked as a manager at Starbucks, where I gained over 10 years of experience working with people, managing teams, and understanding the financial side of the business—things like budgets and reading P&L statements. But honestly, it’s completely different when it’s your own business and you don’t have a large corporation behind you.

Last year, 2025, was probably the hardest season for us. We reached a point where the business wasn’t bringing in enough to cover all of our expenses, and we had to use personal money to keep things going. That was a really humbling experience and it made me question a lot—what I was doing, if I was on the right path, and why it seemed like others were succeeding while I was struggling.

But one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that you can’t compare your journey or your growth to someone else’s. Building a business isn’t smooth sailing, especially in the beginning. You end up wearing so many hats and figuring things out as you go.

Through all of it, I’ve leaned on my faith and continued to work incredibly hard. At the end of the day, this is something I’m deeply passionate about. It’s not just a business to me—it’s something meaningful that I’m building and hope to leave behind for my children.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m the owner of The Secret Place Coffee, and like most small business owners, I wear a lot of hats. But the heart of what I do is creating coffee recipes that genuinely make people smile. To me, coffee is an art form. I love everything about it! From experimenting with flavors to seeing someone take that first sip and light up.

Over the past three years, we’ve had the opportunity to serve many events. We’ve worked with companies like Roller Rabbit, and we’ve also been part of really meaningful, personal moments—weddings, baby celebrations, and even gatherings that honor someone’s life. What matters most to me is that every event, whether big or small, receives the same level of care, intention, and passion.

At the end of the day, I truly just love coffee and I love people. Creating an experience for our clients—something warm, memorable, and thoughtful—is incredibly important to me.

I’m really proud of how much we’ve grown in the last three years. Running a business definitely isn’t easy, but we’re doing it. And honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Check us out on Instagram at: The Secret Place Coffee and book your next event with us 🙂

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thesecretplacecoffee.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesecretplacecoffee

Image Credits
SoCal Media Company Capture the Glorry – Lilian Shaw