Meet Gardenia Rosales | Founder

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

Hi Gardenia, what do you attribute your success to?
The most crucial factor contributing to Cipota Coffee’s success is its ability to foster a sense of community. Our brand name, “Cipota,” holds significant cultural resonance, particularly among Central Americans, as it evokes cherished memories and familial connections. “Cipota” means “Girl”. This term carries a deep nostalgia for me and many individuals who grew up hearing it affectionately used by their loved ones.

Cipota Coffee goes beyond merely offering a product; it serves as a channel for shared experiences and meaningful connections. Customers who resonate with “Cipota” often feel an immediate bond with our brand, reminiscing about their childhoods or familial interactions. This emotional connection is the heart of our community, uniting individuals from diverse backgrounds under a common cultural thread.

In essence, the success of Cipota Coffee can be attributed to its ability to transcend the role of a simple coffee provider, instead prompting community-building and cultural celebration. Through our brand, we don’t just sell coffee; we cultivate connections, share stories, and create lasting memories that resonate far beyond the confines of a coffee cup.

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?
Cipota Coffee is a distinctive coffee company because it serves as a cultural ambassador, showcasing the uniqueness of Salvadoran specialty coffee, while representing the diverse Salvadoran community. This venture began with a passion for creating something that people could connect to and has been fueled by the support of my family, the Salvadoran community, and dedicated coffee professionals we work with. Running a business isn’t easy for many reasons, but overcoming challenges like imposter syndrome, I’ve learned the importance of resilience and surrounding ourselves with a supportive network. What sets us apart is not just our exceptional coffee but our commitment to sharing the stories, traditions, and flavors of El Salvador with the world.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
A week is way too short to get the essence of LA, but here is what a week-long in the city would look like with my best friend. We’d set off for our morning coffee at one of the many amazing coffee shops, maybe Aquarela, Maru Coffee, K&M Coffee, Picaresca, or Obet & Dels. We would follow that by having an authentic Salvadoran breakfast at La Flor Blanca and exploring the Salvadoran Corridor for some delicious riguas. Afternoons would be spent at soccer pick-ups or hikes in my childhood, stomping grounds up the Griffith observatory. We would visit the art museums in between, then head to Angel City FC games in the evenings. Dinners would consist of meals from restaurants to street vendors, but most importantly, we would enjoy a home-cooked meal from my mom.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate this shoutout to my family and the vibrant Salvadoran community whose unwavering support and resilience have shaped our journey.

Website: www.cipotacoffee.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cipotacoffee/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gardenia-rosales/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cipotacoffee

Image Credits
All images with purple shirts and coffee bags on the table- Photo Creds: Eric Valle