Meet Cynthia McConnell | Founder of Leafy Beans Coffee

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cynthia McConnell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cynthia, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I’ve been searching for quite sometime for something that inspires me and brings focus to my life. I travel often and would always have a cup of coffee in the morning to start off my day. One morning while having a cup of coffee, I thought that none of the coffees that I had on my travels really stood out to me. I also noticed that none of the coffees I had were from Mexico but rather from other countries. Being of Mexican heritage, I decided to investigate to see if Mexico produced coffee. To my delight and surprise they did. This started my quest to find the perfect Mexican coffee beans and roast that would stand out to my tastebuds. I planned on traveling to Chiapas Mexico and while planning my trip made a contact that would guide me to a local indigenous family that grows Arabic beans at high altitude, in volcanic soil and have been doing it since 1850. I contacted them and after several tastings and refining of the roast, produced what would become Leafy Beans Coffee. My search was over and my mission was clear. I wanted to bring my delicious, smooth,mellow coffee to the United States so that everyone could enjoy my coffee and thus began my business.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I started selling Leafy Beans Coffee in September 2022. I am able to speak Spanish so I can deal directly with the indigenous family that has been growing Arabic beans at high altitude in nutrient rich volcanic soil since 1850. The family is from Maya descendants and speak Mam as their primary language with Spanish as a second language. Although my business is new, I feel that my business is set apart from other coffee companies because I deal directly with the indigenous people of Chiapas Mexico and give directly back to the community by providing an above average living wage to the workers who pick and process my coffee. My coffee is also sustainable as any unused portion of the beans such as the casing is recycled back to the land. Starting my business was no easy task as I was new to the business world and learning along the way but I persevered. The most difficult part was learning the export/import process but I was able to do so and have the support of friends and family along the way. I would like the world to know that I am a first generation Mexican-American female small business owner and I’m here to make Leafy Beans Coffee a household name.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would start the day by taking them to Crazy Otto’s for a good breakfast. We would then take a trip to the exotic animal zoo followed by a drive through the poppy reserve. Later in the afternoon, we’d head out to The Rock Inn for a delicious 50/50 sandwich and then take a trip to the Native American Museum. In the evening, we would head to Zelda’s for a meal and some live outdoor entertainment.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to give a shoutout to all who have supported me on my journey to making Leafy Beans Coffee a reality. I’d like to thank everyone who has purchased my coffee, has given me vending opportunities, has taken and passed out business cards, has given me radio airtime and guidance along the way. Also a big thanks to all my Instagram followers, keep spreading the word!

Website: www.leafybeanscoffee.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/leafybeanscoffee

Image Credits
Frank