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

Hi kia, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Wanted to incorporate the use of technology into our business model. With all the continuous advances in modern technology, there are some that are benefitting hospitality. This is where the RIPPLE machine came into play. Custom and quick latte art for our customers to enjoy!

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I’ve been in hospitality for over two decades and have a deep and addictive passion for the industry. This business is more than just food and coffee. Its’ human psychology and romance rolled up into one. We’ve taken the mundane and repetitive task of getting caffeinated with art. Each day we put smiles on the faces of our customers whether they like it or not!

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.
We would keep our days busy by visiting all of the great local hotel pools and seeing celebrities at all the great lunch spots. We’d take a trip to Venice boardwalk, Hollywood walk of fame, definitely a stop at Carrera to see all the mega social media influencers. By night, we’d pop in to all the great steakhouses our city has. CUT for an elegant evening and CATCH Steak for the “sceney” meal where the who’s who of LA claim as their home. We’d get hungover and start over again at the Griddle.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Most of the credit goes to my beloved Wife and sister who inspired me to create Carrera Cafe. On our honeymoon we visited numerous charming cafes in Europe and NYC. This is where our concept was born. Not a coffee shop and not a deli, but a moment in time at the intersection of music, art, coffee and social media. Carrera is all of these in one.

Website: https://www.carreracafe.com

Instagram: carreracafe

Yelp: carrera cafe

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