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Community Highlights: Meet Natalia Molina of Magdalena Coffee Bar & Houseplants

Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalia Molina. They and their team shared their story with us below:

Natalia Molina

We’re Natalia and Andrés, two young entrepreneurs driven by our passion for everything we do. Coffee has always held a significant place in our lives, and we desire to share the beauty of Colombia’s and Latin America’s breathtaking coffee lands. We aim to showcase the stunning landscapes of our region, the Coffee Axis, and introduce everyone to the flavors of our coffee.

When we started our business, we knew it was a perfect match. It’s not just a business; it’s a profound emotional connection for us, rooted in our family’s legacy of over 50 years in agriculture. We believe that coffee has something truly special about it. It has the power to fuel our creativity, connect us with our roots, and create unforgettable moments with loved ones. It’s also the perfect conversation starter because incredible things often begin with coffee. Andrés’ first gift to Natalia was a bag of coffee from one of our favorite coffee shops in Medellín, and that’s how our dream took flight.

Today, Magdalena Coffee is a green oasis in the heart of Edgewater, brimming with love, nature, culture, and joyful people. While we proudly hail from Colombia, our concept is “From Latin America pa’l mundo.” We proudly represent all Latinos, celebrating what unites us: our culture, our strong family bonds, our happiness, and our diversity. In Magdalena, you’ll find coffee from Colombia and Honduras, music from Brazil, and flowers from Colombia and Ecuador that we give away for free every Friday.

We also offer Peruvian ají, and every detail reflects a different Latin American country. This business is a reflection of all the effort, love, and dedication we’ve poured into it. We love sharing with our community by hosting events inside our shop, allowing people to connect, share ideas, and build our community.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Wow! Being an entrepreneur is a rollercoaster journey. We’ve had our ups and downs, and we don’t usually get to be vulnerable enough to share our hard moments and stories. But honestly, when the calm comes after the storm, and we understand that everything happens for a reason, we turn those tough moments into amazing stories, memorable moments that will stay with us forever.

Money was our first significant challenge. The reality is, that our budget never went as expected, and as much as we planned, things kept moving in a different direction. We were able to stay strong and always find new solutions to our problems.

Timing, negotiations, and permits made us take two years to open our business. We had long nights, some with tears and others staying up all night thinking of solutions. Sometimes, we sang and celebrated. Oh yes, because we had a song for hard moments or to celebrate. Music just makes everything better.

When we were celebrating, we would play “Celebration” by Kool & The Gang, and when we were going through a tough time, we would play “Pa’lante” by Alberto Plaza. ‘Pa’lante’ in English means “Keep going.” This beautiful song reminded us, in hard times, of all the different things we had to celebrate in life: our health, our family, and even the possibility of learning from tough times.

As you know, we’re big fans of Magdalena Coffee Bar & Houseplants. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
At Magdalena Coffee, our mission is to offer the highest quality specialty coffee and houseplants. We take pride in sourcing our products from our family farm and other ethical suppliers who adhere to sustainable farming and harvesting practices, showcasing the finest from Latin America “pa’l mundo.”

As a family business, we are deeply committed to providing top-tier specialty coffee and houseplants for our valued customers. Our dedication to sourcing from our family farm and ethical suppliers ensures that you receive only the highest quality products.

Moreover, we have a strong commitment to giving back to the communities we collaborate with. We invest in projects that empower local farmers and promote environmental sustainability. This way, your purchases with us have a positive impact on the lives of the people we work with.

At Magdalena Coffee and Houseplants, we are wholeheartedly dedicated to delivering an exceptional experience. We strive to make your shopping experience enjoyable and convenient, allowing you to easily savor our products. Thank you for choosing Magdalena Coffee and Houseplants!

Fueling your ideas with exceptional coffee.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Andres Irias

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