Today we’d like to introduce you to Oscar Goya.
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?
My wife and I once ran a small organic market in our home country. Although we both had professional careers (she worked as a physician and I as an engineer), we were passionate about offering outstanding customer service and helping people with their needs. When we were forced to leave our country due to political circumstances, we had to start from zero. Still, we remained eager to get to know the community, become part of it, and make the most of every opportunity that came our way in this incredible new country.
Drawing on our knowledge of nutrition and healthy living, along with our personal tastes and life philosophies, we immersed ourselves in learning everything we could about specialty coffee; researching, traveling, and soaking up knowledge across the U.S.
During this journey, not only did we become certified baristas through the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), which deepened our expertise and gave us the tools to bring our dream to reality, but we also faced the fun challenge of naming our café.
People often ask where “I Think She Is” comes from. Originally, we wanted a name inspired by our little daughter; we played around with phrases like “I think she’s beautiful.” But with the advice of our artist friends, we left it open-ended, so anyone could fill in the blank: “I think she’s… beautiful, perfect, artsy,” and so on.
I always joke that when people ask, I tell them I think it’s about my wife—she’s the one who “is,” the one who runs the show and calls the shots. That’s how the name was born.
All these elements together slowly shaped what would become I Think She Is.
From the very beginning, we faced big challenges, especially opening during the pandemic. We started operations in 2019, planning to open our doors that year, when COVID struck. As a result, we officially opened on July 4th, 2020 (Independence Day—perhaps a sign?). At that time, the streets were empty, and specialty coffee was still very new to Miami. Even so, we managed to bring our vision to life by blending our love for community, art, healthy food, and coffee.
Over the past five years, we’ve been proud to grow alongside the Brickell community, offering quality products and creating a collective of coffee and art lovers. Thanks to the tireless work of my wife, myself, and our family, we’ve been able to connect with people on a deeper level. Today, we’re grateful to feel like true locals, and proud to call this community our home.
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?
It certainly hasn’t been a smooth road. From navigating the pandemic and rising costs to starting fresh as immigrants, facing language barriers and learning the unfamiliar rules and regulations of a new country; every step has challenged us in different ways. Yet each struggle became a lesson that shaped our journey. They pushed us to adapt, stay creative, and hold on to the values that matter most to us.
Today, those experiences are part of why I Think She Is feels so genuine, welcoming, and community-driven. The obstacles made us stronger and gave us the chance to build not just a specialty coffee shop, but a space that truly belongs to the people around us.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
By training, my wife is a doctor and I am an engineer. Together with our two children and our parents, we’ve grown not only as professionals but as human beings, guided by the strength of family and community.
At I Think She Is, we specialize in crafting every recipe from scratch with love, offering a truly personal experience to each guest. For us, coffee is more than a drink, it’s a way to share how we see life within this little world we call I Think She Is.
What we’re most proud of is teaching our team the value of excellent service and making people feel at home. We are equally proud that no matter what challenges we face, we never compromise on the quality of our products. Everything we serve is made with a homemade touch and the highest standards. The community we’ve built alongside our customers is our pride, allowing us to create a space that feels authentic, inspiring, and deeply connected.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Our success has come from consistency, believing in our vision, and staying deeply connected to the community. Teamwork, supporting local businesses, and, most importantly, the strength of family have guided every step of our journey. These values not only keep us grounded but also inspire us to create a space where people feel welcome, uplifted, and part of something bigger than themselves.
Pricing:
- capuccino $5
- matcha latte $6
- smoothies $10
- BEC $14
- cachitos $6.5
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ithinksheis.com
- Instagram: @itsicoffee
