May 16, 2019

Meet Ruben Trujillo of Cafe Emporos

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ruben Trujillo.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Ruben. So, let’s start at the beginning, and we can move on from there.
I started my journey with coffee when I moved to South Korea in 2010 to become a teacher. I remembered being served a latte with a bear etched on the surface of the milk.

For some reason, I told myself, “I’m going to learn how to do this.” It was a year later that I enrolled in a barista course an hour out of my city. It was during the first class that I realized, although the instructor spoke fluent English, he would not be teaching the class. I had accidentally signed up for a Korean barista course.

Sticking with this class was one of the best decisions I have ever made. The other baristas were so helpful. I took the time between classes to translate the recipes from Hangul to English and did my best to read as much as I could about coffee and its origins. I did this for 15 weeks until the final week where we were judged in front of our peers, the instructor, and three judges from Seoul.

I received my certification and was now in search of a cafe to put all my studying into practice. I became an apprentice at a coffee shop called May forest Cafe. I realize now how I hit the jackpot working for such kind and patient business owners. The baristas were also a great help giving me tips on how I could improve my latte art techniques.

I dedicated almost every weekend for three years learning the art of making coffee. This is what inspired me to return to Goodyear, Arizona to start my business, Cafe Emporos.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
How great it would be to say everything went uphill from there. The focus during my time in Korea was latte art but when I returned, I realized the challenges I would face by opening a coffee shop on my own. During my lows is when my business really began to take shape.

I started packaging my coffee in these special filters that allow the user to brew a fresh cup of coffee anywhere. There was a day where I was just stuck. I put my head down on my dining room table, and that is when “Make the world your cafe,” popped into my head.

The struggles in starting and running a business are inevitable. But if you can view these roadblocks in a certain way you can often find a creative way to get around them.

Please tell us about Cafe Emporos.
Cafe Emporos simplifies the process of brewing a fresh cup of coffee anywhere. My pillar product is this Black and Gold bag that is filled 10 Hand Drip Coffee Satchels. It allows the user to brew a fresh cup of coffee anywhere they have access to hot water. You simply tear open the filter, place it over the rims of your mug and slowly pour hot water over the coffee grounds. It is perfect for the office, camping, travel, home, and for gifting.

On my website www.cafeemporos.com I also show people how they can fill the filters with their own coffee and seal them with a flat iron so that they can pack them before a trip. Cold Brew Coffee Bags are also available on my site. They make a great cup of hot coffee, but an excellent cold brew. You just steep the coffee bag overnight and the next morning you have a single serve cold brew waiting for you in the fridge.

What I am most proud of is that I was able to start my business. I am at a few of the local markets in Goodyear, Estrella, and Verrado. Along with my friends, family, and mentors, I have received a lot of support from the community. I also won my first two pitch competitions through ASU Venture Devils which was a great experience in itself.

Pricing:

Cold Brew Bags 22ct $28
Black & Gold 10 Coffee Satchels $12
Travel Packs $6

Contact Info:

Website: https://www.cafeemporos.com
Email: ruben@cafeemporos.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cafeemporos/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cafeemporos/

Image Credit:
Felipe Pou

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