Today, we’d like to introduce you to Shaelen Serrano.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Growing up in a Cuban household and being raised in Miami, you are surrounded by coffee. You know it is a new day with the fresh crisp brew of a cafecito in the making. I have always loved coffee and checking out new coffee shops, seeing what new drinks can elevate and take the power of coffee to the next level. I don’t think that coffee is just a drink, it brings people together.
When I need to just have a day and gossip with my friends or if I am sad and need to just let it out and vent, coffee literally will always bring anyone together. I decided to launch “The Coffee Connoisseur” on Instagram to post reviews/thoughts one coffee shop at a time. I also enjoy adding a touch of humor to my content on the page because life is not meant to be serious all the time and I want to create a space for others that be comfortable & laugh (especially those who love coffee).
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Nothing is ever a smooth road in life & if it was I think it would be boring. It makes me want to work harder and also be patient with myself. Not everything needs to be perfect. I remind myself at times why I started this in the first place & my purpose.
I always tend to be hard on myself when I don’t see the outcome of my original plans, however, it is always a re-direction to something better that you never thought you could imagine for yourself.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I love that I have always had a creative outlet when it comes to designing and my true passion is a thought or idea I have in mind and seeing it come to life is truly the beauty in it. Anything that has to do with art, I am sold. I love designing/graphic design.
In 2020, I founded my first band’ Aesthetically Rica’ It is a clothing brand that is whole-heartedly celebrates and inspired by la cultura here in 305 Miami. The slogan is ‘where the aesthetics, meet el sazón’ which is literally what the brand is!
I am currently in the process of re-branding it and in the midst of doing so when I created ‘The Coffee Connoisseur’ I wanted to separate the lethal addiction (it’s not that bad) that I have to coffee and ‘Aesthetically Rica’ I did not want both aesthetics to overshadow each other and wanted to give both of passions each their own platform.
I am most proud of the community I have built for myself, connecting and getting to know other Latina businesswomen in this industry and getting to know their stories that we are one and the same is truly beautiful, I think what sets me apart from others is that I genuinely and respectfully do not care what others think, I put my love, heart, and soul into everything that I do, and as Bad Bunny has said ‘YHLQMDLG’.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up.
My favorite childhood memory is my entire family being cluttered up all together at home, someone is cooking, someone is cleaning and there is a telenovela blasting from one of the TVs.
It’s those moments that may seem when you are younger as chaos but as I have gotten older, it was a sound that I wish I could hear again.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thecoffeeconnoisseur.store/password
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/__thecoffeeconnoisseur__
- Other: https://aestheticallyrica.com
