Today we’d like to introduce you to Cory Ellis.
Cory, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Well, I was born and raised in Florida and have lived around the Pompano area almost my whole life. I’ve been playing music since I was nine years old and I can say it’s definitely my highest passion. I’ve gone through a lot of hurts. The passing of someone I care very deeply about that brought me to my deepest darkest days. But the music always brought me back. I started working in coffee about 4 or 5 years ago and now I’m the manager at the Pompano store for Carmela Coffee Company. I’m now in the best band I’ve ever been in with two of the best dudes I know! We’re called Rumors Of Revival and we’re looking to release our single soon! (Be on the lookout for that). I’m getting ready to turn 26 and one thing I keep being reminded of is the main factor that’s truly kept me walking y’all and away from the edge is my faith. I’m a firm believer in Jesus Christ and I can say confidently without Jesus my life would be very empty. You can check out the band on Instagram @rumorsofrevival and my Instagram is @coryellisdrums94.
Great, 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’s been bumpier than not haha. I lost a very important person in my life. This person I thought was gonna be my forever but that didn’t turn out that way, unfortunately. This person passed away and I hated life for so long but finally saw the light at the end of the tunnel when my friends surrounded me to support me through it all.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Carmela Coffee Company Story. Tell us more about your work.
Carmela Coffee Company is a coffee shop originating in Parkland, Florida and making its way to Pompano, Boca, and soon to be Delray! I’m the manager at the Pompano location. We’re known for two things mainly and that’s our coffee and our avocado toast. What we’re most proud of as a company is being able to provide our communities an excellent experience and a place to feel like family. No matter who you are or where you’re from, you’re welcome in our doors (so long as you’re wearing a mask, haha).
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Proudest moment of my career so far at Carmela has been being the reason someone didn’t end their life. You meet a lot of people working at a coffee shop and you don’t really ever get to know them but when you ask the right question, people will open up and usually in ways you weren’t expecting. This young man had lost his job, his car, his girlfriend, and was on the brink of homelessness. I gave him his coffee and food that day for free and sat to talk with him. He’s now at a program where he lives in a boarding house of men who do lawn work and general labor throughout the day. Don’t ever let your bad day be the thing that dictates how you talk to someone because you can either pull them down or push them off the ledge.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1182 S Powerline Road Pompano Beach FL 33069
- Instagram: Instagram.com/carmelacoffeecompany
- Facebook: Facebook.com/carmelacoffeecompany
Image Credit:
@MarissaNicolePhoto on Instagram
Suggest a story: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
