As we continue to see specialty coffee shops grow and expand into the furthest reaches of the globe, one thing remains an enduring value to customers. That feeling of belonging. A sense that the hospitality and the good will of those providing it are genuine makes every cup taste sweet and the memory of the experience even sweeter. 

Perhaps no professional in recent years better embodies these values than today’s guest, Monique (Mo) Maravilla!

Mo is a Filipino entrepreneur, coffee roaster, educator, traveler, and champion of joyful hospitality.

Her journey began on the guest side of the bar, appreciating the way a single cup could hold identity, story, and connection all at once. Her passion for community and representation led her to open Kindness and Mischief Coffee Roasters in the Highland Park neighborhood of Los Angeles in 2016. Noticing a severe lack of women — and particularly women of color — behind the bar, at the roaster, and at the helm of their own shops, she started learning to roast in 2017 and became the first Filipino woman roaster in Los Angeles.

Coffee became her chosen medium to create meaningful connections, experiences, and safe, inclusive spaces for others, especially those in marginalized groups.

After 12 years running K+M, Mo created Studio Tigre to continue to challenge what the coffee world looks and feels like, and who gets to lead it. Inspired by her Filipino heritage and the symbolism of the tiger, she built a brand that is boldly designed, radically anti-gatekeeping, and rooted in community. Her mission: help people feel confident, capable, and celebrated in the spaces where craft and culture meet — because when you’re not offered a seat at the table, you build your own.

 We discuss:

• Going from audiovisual engineering to coffee entrepreneurship
• The importance of community and authentic relationships in business
• Designing coffee spaces for joy, warmth, and connection
• Lessons learned from running Kindness and Mischief after 12 years
• The role of boundaries and self-awareness in in being an owner
• Studio Tigre as a creative extension and omakase coffee experience
• The journey of learning roasting and sharing knowledge
• Balancing passion, business growth, and personal well-being

 

REGISTER NOW FOR THE SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES! 

Build a Stronger Coffee Shop: One Step at a Time

Great coffee shops don’t happen by accident. They are built by hiring the right people, training them well, and leading them with clarity and consistency.

In this live three-part Summer Webinar Series, Chris Deferio shares the practical systems and coaching insights that have helped coffee businesses build stronger teams, healthier cultures, and more resilient operations.

Each webinar includes:

• Live instruction and Q&A
• PDF workbook
• One hour of virtual consulting for each live attendee
• Lifetime access to the recording

Register for the individual sessions that fit your current needs, or scroll down to save 20% on the complete Summer Webinar Series.

REGISTER NOW FOR THE SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES! 

 

chris@keystothshop.com

of book a free call now: 

https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min 

 

Related episodes:

• 484: Demystifying Mentorship w/ Dr. Ruth Gotian, Author of “The Financial Times guide to Mentorship””
• 003: The Role of Mentorship in Specialty Coffee w/ Pete Licata
• 580: Four Cafe Leadership Mindsets to Adopt in the New Year
• 437 : The New Age of the Barista: Mindsets + Habits for Success
• 253 : Mindsets that Sabotage Success

 

SPONSORS!

“Your Brand Cafe” for all your Cups, Sleeves printing and much more! 

 

The worlds best plant based beverages! The Barista Series!