Today we’d like to introduce you to Barbara.
Hi Barbara, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Barbara Safina is a 33-year-old Venezuelan entrepreneur, community builder, and proud mom of two boys. In 2021, together with her husband Orlando, she founded GROU Coffee + Cowork, the first 100% local coffee shop in Coral Gables with private coworking spaces. What began with 20 local partners has now grown into a community supporting more than 70 small businesses—40 of them women-owned.
Rooted in her entrepreneurial family history from Caracas, Venezuela, Barbara studied Marketing and Management at the University of Miami, later gaining experience across industries before returning to Miami to pursue her dream. Through GROU, she is passionate about uplifting local talent, creating spaces for collaboration, and strengthening community connections.
Her impact has been recognized with multiple awards, including Best Coffee Shop in Coral Gables (2025) by Coral Gables Magazine, Businesswoman of the Year (2024) by the City of Coral Gables, Third Best Coffee Shop (2024) by TimeOut, the Diamond in the Rough Award (2023), and most recently, she received the Community Builder Award by the Chamber of Coral Gables (2025)
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Like any entrepreneurial journey, it hasn’t always been a smooth road. We opened GROU in 2021, still in the shadow of the pandemic, when people were rethinking how and where they work and gather. Launching a coffee shop with a coworking model at that time came with risks and uncertainties—we had to earn people’s trust, adapt to new habits, and educate the community on why our hybrid concept mattered. it hasn’t been smooth – the hospitality industry is not easy, specially if you don’t have prior experience.
Another challenge has been balancing the dual role of running a specialty coffee shop and a coworking space, while also supporting more than 70 local brands. It requires constant coordination, storytelling, and a lot of behind-the-scenes work to make sure every detail—from our menu to our events—lives up to the promise of quality and community.
On a personal level, being a woman entrepreneur and a mom of two young kids has meant juggling family life with the demands of growing a business. There have been moments of doubt, long hours, and the typical struggles of a small business—like staffing, supply chain, and rising costs. Im beyond thankful I started this project with my husband which has been the best business partner, but we had our first kid a month before we opened our first coffee shop, and we were there 24/7 with a newborn baby for about 2 years.
But each challenge has shaped GROU into what it is today. We’ve learned to stay agile, to listen to our community, and to keep building with heart. Looking back, I’m proud that what started as a big dream during uncertain times has now become a recognized brand and a true community hub in Coral Gables.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about GROU Coffee + Cowork?
GROU Coffee + Cowork is a specialty coffee shop with a twist—it’s also a community-driven coworking space in the heart of Coral Gables. What makes us unique is that we’re not just about great coffee (though we are proud to serve some of the best in Miami!); we’re about connection. Every product on our shelves tells the story of a local entrepreneur. We currently support over 70 small businesses: 40 of them women-owned—by giving them visibility, retail space, and opportunities to grow alongside us.
We specialize in creating an environment where people can work, gather, and recharge while enjoying elevated, healthy, and thoughtfully curated offerings. From our award-winning avocado toast and handcrafted matcha to our private conference rooms and event experiences, GROU is known for blending quality with community impact.
Our coworking side offers flexible memberships and private spaces, perfect for entrepreneurs, students, and professionals who want the productivity of an office with the warmth of a coffee shop. Whether you need a day pass, a monthly membership, or a private conference room for your team, GROU provides an inspiring alternative to traditional coworking.
What sets us apart is our commitment to local partnerships and authentic connections. We’ve built a space that feels personal, warm, and inspiring—where you can sip your coffee, meet with clients, host a workshop, or discover your new favorite local brand all under one roof.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of the recognition we’ve received as Best Coffee Shop in Coral Gables (2025) and the Community Builder Award—because those honors reflect not only our quality, but the community we’ve built together. At GROU, our mission is simple: to grow, group, and ground—through coffee, collaboration, and community.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
GROU would not be where it is today without the incredible people who have walked this journey with us. First and foremost, my husband Orlando—he’s my co-founder, my partner in both life and business, and the person who helps me turn vision into reality every single day.
Our team also deserves so much credit. From our baristas to our community managers, they embody GROU’s values of warmth, quality, and connection. They’re often the first smile people see when they walk in, and they create the experience that keeps our guests coming back.
We’ve also been blessed with a network of supporters—our local vendors and brand partners who took a chance on us from the beginning, the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce who has championed us with recognition and encouragement, and our loyal clients who didn’t just come for coffee, but embraced GROU as their community space.
On a very personal level, our family and friends have been our quiet heroes. They’ve been our taste-testers for new recipes, our critics when we needed honest feedback, and even our “subs” when we needed an extra pair of hands in the shop. Their love and willingness to show up in every way possible has been an anchor for us.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.groucommunity.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/groucoffee/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groucommunity
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/groucommunity/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_6FFr5OHnAUA3xaa8kcmwQ
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/grou-coffee-cowork-coral-gables
- Other: https://share.google/uGEZgVBqF8skevH3K
Image Credits
GROU Coffee + Cowork
