Rising Stars: Meet Eddi Ortiz

Today we’d like to introduce you to Eddi Ortiz.

Hi Eddi, 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?
Holy Grounds Coffee and Tea first opened its doors in 2012. Steven Boland, a resident of El Sereno, took a leap of faith and opened the business with the dream of serving the early morning commuters on their way to work. Gradually and organically, Holy Grounds began to offer a safe space for the community. A space for local artists to display and sell their artwork, a space for aspiring comedians and musicians to launch and fine-tune their crafts. A space for neighbors to meet and enjoy a cup of coffee in his backyard. Over the years, Holy Grounds Coffee and Tea has served the El Sereno community and offered free art workshops, artists receptions, annual sidewalk sales for local vendors before “pop-ups” became a term. The shop has survived a car crash, a fire and is now trying to stay afloat during a pandemic. Because Holy Grounds has always worked to support the community by hiring from within and collaborating with other local businesses, the community has continued to support and show the shop lots of love. In 2018, the shop had to close its patio which was a big attraction for the residents of El Sereno due to remodeling. It was also around this time that Steven began contemplating retirement. Having worked with and knowing Steven for over 20 years, I decided to offer buying the shop. Like Steven, I have also worked in the non-profit sector for over 20 years and have always been community service-oriented. I have worked with Para Los Niños since 1997. Para Los Niños is a social services agency founded in 1980 on Skid Row. We provide education and wraparound support to over 6,000 of L.A.’s neediest children, youth and families each year. I love what I do, the children and families I’ve seen grow over the years and the people I’ve had the pleasure of working with and learning from. It was a tough decision to leave after so many years but felt I wanted a new challenge. Holy Grounds Coffee and Tea would provide me an opportunity to grow professionally and venture into a new career. So in the summer of 2019, we began the transition of ownership, never expecting that 2020 would happen. We are able to laugh at the fact that we received our permits for the new outdoor patio one week before the country shut down in March of 2020.
I attempted to open our doors in October of that same year and had to close again just three months later due to a rise in COVID19 cases in our community. We have now been open since April of 2021 and with the uncertainty of things, we continue to serve our community, keeping everyone’s safety at the forefront. Steven and I share the same values and my goal is to continue providing a safe space, delicious coffee and pastries to our friends, neighbors and customers.

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?
While we have celebrated many successes and created many memorable moments over the years, it hasn’t been an easy road. There have been many obstacles and challenges with each stage of growth. I shared a few previously, a car crashing into the shop, a fire in a back apartment, the pandemic. These are probably the biggest challenges we have faced, but there are always other obstacles. I choose to focus on what I can change and control. I learned a long time ago that what you focus on increases so I choose to focus on how I overcome the challenges. They exist and there will be new challenges next week or next month. It’s part of owning a business, I’m learning.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As I continue to transition into my new role as General Manager and owner, I am reminded of how much I enjoy cooking. I take joy and pride in preparing recipes, it feels like an art form. One of the first things I did as the new owner was to hire my niece as a pastry chef. With over ten years of experience, Chef Jackie is knocking it out of the park with her recipes. Steven has given me a great foundation and I want to build on it and take it to the next level. I am proud and thrilled every time we hear from customers about how much they love the pastries and food. I am proud of the collaborations we have within the community, working with local vendors and artists. We are known for offering a space where local artists can sell their products. I am proud of the groups wanting to rent our space for professional and festive events because they love our space and our values. We see other coffee shops opening up in the community and using our model and it’s flattering. What makes us different is that we do what we do, simply because it’s what we have always done. I still work with Para Los Niños part time , it wasn’t easy leaving after all. I also run a youth soccer league, L.A. Force Soccer which I started in 2010 for underserved children in my community. Now, the shop is an extension of the community work I have always done. It’s simply what I enjoy doing.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
I am always learning, I can only improve and get better, the best lesson I’ve learned, I learned years ago… what you focus on, increases…I choose to focus on growing with every experience. Thank you again for this great opportunity, I hope that if you visit Holy Grounds Coffee and Tea, you will enjoy your visit.

Contact Info:

• Email: eddiholygrounds@gmail.com
• Website: www.holygroundscoffeeandtea.com
• Instagram: holygroundscoffee
• Facebook: Holy Grounds Coffee & Tea

Image Credits:
Eddi Ortiz Chef Jackie