Today we’d like to introduce you to Deb Santiago
Hi Deb, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Coffee has always been a significant part of my life, starting from when I was a young girl. It was a staple in my household, especially during visits to my grandparents in Puerto Rico. No matter what time we arrived, my grandparents always welcomed us with coffee and freshly baked bread from a local panadería. I remember drinking coffee from a young age; it was something that brought us together. “¿Quieres café?” has always been a love language rich in my culture and in my household.
Coffee also played a crucial role in my daughter Santana’s health. She was born prematurely when I was just 26 weeks pregnant and spent several months in the NICU in Philly. During those early weeks, she was given caffeine to help keep her alive and breathing. I often joke that she’s been wild her since.
When Isabelle and I met a few years ago through our husbands, we instantly connected over our shared love of coffee. One night, we were talking about the possibility of starting a business together, and before we knew it, we were brainstorming names and researching how to get started. It all happened quickly and organically.
Our long-term goal is to open a coffee shop in our community and become a coffee importer. We have built relationships with farmers who produce high-quality coffee but lack the means to distribute it beyond their own communities. My hope for Cafecito Debelles Roastery is to become a staple in the community and beyond. We look forward to having regulars and sharing stories over a cup of coffee. I love how coffee brings people together, just like it did for Isabelle and I.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There have been challenges, but I try to view them as opportunities for growth. One of the most time-consuming aspects has been self-education, as we are practically self-taught. I created our website and online storefront myself, while Isabella has focused on building partnerships with the coffee farms we’re collaborating with. Recently, we partnered with Anne from Flow Design to evaluate our packaging. It was exciting to finally have the income to outsource these tasks, as they had become quite time-consuming. I still work a full-time job and have a toddler at home, so finding balance has been challenging, but I’m confident it will pay off in the long run.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
We specialize in roasting coffee sourced from farms that practice natural and organic farming methods. Our process is unique because. roast in small batches using an air roaster, which gives our coffee a fresh, clean taste. From the start, we wanted to make a difference in the coffee world, and we were fortunate to partner early on with Two Birds Coffee, a family-owned coffee farm in Guatemala. As they’ve grown, they’ve found ways to support women in Guatemala in pursuing their fundamental needs. We’re honored to be part of that journey.
Each of our roasts tells a special story that’s unique to us. Siete Cielos is in honor of Isabelle’s late stepfather, who passed away from cancer. La Santana is named for Deb’s young daughter, Santana. Our El Año 1951 roast has delicate flavor notes and resonates deeply with Isabelle’s grandparents’ love story, as they married in 1951. We’re also excited about our next roast, Uno Más, which commemorates our dear friend who served in the Marine Corps with Isabelle and my husband. He was tragically killed in the line of duty while serving as a Raleigh police officer. We couldn’t think of a better way to honor his legacy and his family than by partnering with a nonprofit organization in North Carolina dedicated to supporting children of fallen heroes.
I’m very proud of our journey so far, and there is still so much more to come. It’s pure and it’s intentional. We’re really just getting started.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
There are lots of way to support:
People can help promote our coffee business by sharing our brand with their network, leaving positive reviews, or referring potential customers.
Follow, like, and share our social media posts to increase your visibility and engagement. This can help attract more customers and build a strong online presence.
Also introduce us to potential business who might be interested in our coffee — especially for wholesale purchases.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cafecitodebelles.co
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cafecitodebelles/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cafecitodebellescoffee
