Meet Trailblazer Michela Ricci

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michela Ricci.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Michela. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
After working in coffee for several years, I really came to appreciate the job. Coffee is habitual for people, it starts their day, and that became a big part of how I start my days.

The Early Bird PHX was hatched from a desire to promote local, to advocate conscious consumption, and to provide a convenient, hand-crafted coffee experience for those grinding away in the Phoenix area. Getting to interact with my community and being able to provide something meaningful, that is all I wanted in a career; it may just be a cup of coffee and a smile, but both of those can be powerful ways to start your day off right.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Starting a small business requires a LOT of time, energy, money, etc. Luckily, I’ve always considered myself somewhat of a ‘Jack-of-all-trades’, which I think is necessary as an entrepreneur. Crucially important is knowing your strengths and your weaknesses. Being able to ask for help is everything.

Dealing with local government, especially as a mobile business, has absolutely presented its challenges. I am a type-A personality (love following rules), and having to deal with multiple cities and counties where are the regulations are different/unclear can be frustrating.

My advice to anyone and everyone is that you’re capable of so much more than you think. It may feel like you’re about to take one giant leap, but if you break it down into little steps, the journey is going to become a lot easier. Have a(nother) cup of coffee, get that sh*t done, make yourself proud.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about The Early Bird PHX – what should we know?
Our mobile beverage bar, The Early Bird PHX, serves specialty coffee and other drinks out of our custom, mobile trailer. We like to promote conscious consumption: Being conscious – and conscientious – of what you purchase and consume. We use the highest quality ingredients, local when possible, aiming to provide an experience that is elevated in every way.

Keeping elements natural & simple is the foundation of The Early Bird PHX. Using real ingredients has always been of great importance, like Madagascar vanilla beans (even though costly, very worth it… to us, we believe quality is more important than margin). When I couldn’t find a natural vanilla syrup that met my liking, I decided to start making it in-house. I never imagined the joy I would find creating new flavors and introducing new unique flavors to our customers.

Sourcing local AZ lavender was also something that meant a lot to me, and I’m so proud to offer an outstanding lavender simple syrup – made with organic, raw sugar – to add to lattes and lemonades.

I’m of the belief that coffee shouldn’t be too fussed over, and I’ll even go out on a limb and say f*ck latte art. My time and energy are better spent sourcing great ingredients, dialing in my machinery to make sure we’re pulling the best espresso, and making sure your drink tastes great, not just appears great. (Trust me, I enjoy an Instagrammable picture as much as the rest, but I’m here to help us both get shit done). Besides, they say, “It’s what’s on the inside that counts, right?” 🙂

We’re interested to hear your thoughts on female leadership – in particular, what do you feel are the biggest barriers or obstacles?
People are continually surprised that I own the business, but that hasn’t presented any real barriers.
Educating myself on small business start-up, honing my craft in my industry… these are two critical steps that I have taken in my journey into entrepreneurship. I spent a long time learning and researching, mostly in private and long before anyone knew I was launching The Early Bird PHX. When it came time to make those big steps, like purchasing equipment and signing on loans, I felt prepared and knowledgeable. That has helped me have the confidence necessary to move our project forward.

Contact Info:

• Website: earlybirdphx.com
• Email: hello@earlybirdphx.com
• Instagram: @earlybirdphx
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/earlybirdphx
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/earlybirdphx

Image Credit:
Preslie Hirsch, Rachel Smak, Falen Gillespie, Emily Dill Vance, Ashley Rose Media

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