I failed the HEG and decided to go for it!

To begin, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Carolina, I am 28 years old and I have failed several times in my life. Yes, it's not easy to say or to assume, but I'm still alive and more motivated than ever.

I did 2 years of Law, 3 years of Tourism, Cooking school (successful), I even worked in a hair salon, and finally the HEG. At the same time as I studied I always worked since I was 16 years old in bars, restaurants, hotels, etc... In my opinion, it's this whole path that has brought me to where I am today.

Yes, missing out on business school really pushed me to take the final step that I needed for go for it. Although the project to create Viajero Coffee was already on the way. But doing these three things at the same time slowed down the progress of my Viajero Coffee project because I couldn't fully concentrate on what was most important to me. So fate, or rather accounting, which was definitely not my forte at the heg, allowed me to finally focus on Viajero Coffee.

Terribly disappointed, I decided to regain my strength and continue without asking myself too many questions like: Why me? Maybe I should have done more? Was my mother right and I'll never finish school in my life? Will I be able to fulfill my dreams? Will I ever figure out what I'm going to do with my life?

Since I was very young I had this desire to become independent and entrepreneurial. Well, it's also because my husband has a bakery, but that's another episode to be told in another post, but the fact of seeing him working and being independent also gave me this strength and desire to undertake by myself.

When this idea really entered my head, I remember the moment when Pandora's box opened. Laurent, my husband, one day like any other, we were talking and discussing this passion and desire that I had to launch myself into a project as an independent. He looked at me and simply said: if you want to have a business as much, make an online shop and sell something, today  it is possible to do everything with internet.

That's how it all started, the days when I imagined my future in my own coffee shop, when I just let myself go with my thoughts, the sleepless nights thinking to what I could create.

So at first I had this great idea to make flip-flops out of recycled tires, but I quickly dropped it because it really wasn't my thing. FirstlyI had no idea about creating products, tires didn't appeal to me at all and I was entering a field that was too unfamiliar.

Very quickly I understood that I had to do something really important to me in order not to give up my project. It was important not to go too far, I have always enjoyed doing coffee workshops. For the last 3 years working in this big coffee company, I have been doing the barista training courses. I have to say that there I really understood that this is my passion. It's crazy that feeling, that even though it takes time and work to prepare these workshops, I loved doing it!!!

So that's why you don't have to look any further. Quite often when I tell my coffee start-up project, people ask me these questions:

Why coffee?

Why coffee? I love the stuff, I drink it every day and I learned to treat this noble material by working with it every day. 

Why Peruvian coffee?

Why Peruvian coffee? Because it is the least known coffee, but unlike coffee of other countries In Latin America, Peruvian coffee is cultivated in a sustainable way and 80% of the coffee plantations are BIO. Even before this label was super fashionable in Europe or the United States, In Peru they have been cultivating it this way for two centuries. All thisin addition to the fact that The fact that the coffee is grown on high ground makes it very special and of very good quality. And one more reason is because I was born there!!!

What is Viajero Coffee?

Let's just say, after working in a large coffee company for almost 7 years, my passion for coffee became a business idea. Social consciousness and respect for the environment are very important to me.

So, after learning about the world of coffee, I decided to embark on this new adventure. Viajero Coffee is more than a coffee brand, how can we help coffee producers and contribute to the development of local businesses. The creation of a company where traceability is the driving force is really my goal.

I am a big coffee drinker. For me, a good day starts with a good cup of coffee, otherwise "I am not a person. It is an expression used in Spanish to explain the bad morning mood.

With the simple act of drinking a cup of coffee and without changing our habits, we can help the Peruvian communities that grow this exceptional organic coffee with great enthusiasm and contribute in a direct way to this that these people have a dignified salary and also know who is behind this delicious coffee that we drink every day.

I don't really know for you, but personally, I like to know where what I buy comes from. And that the price I pay is as fair as possible, not to mention the labels...

Finally we can make our weekly coffee consumption into a win-win situation, forgetting the intermediaries and by buying directly from the producers with Viajero Coffee.

Because all our actions have a consequence and the act of drinking just one cup of coffee can improve lives in Peru.

Where can we find your coffee?

So, I really think it's a good idea to start this adventure with an online shop. Our website to order:

http://www.viajerocoffee.com

For those who are in Fribourg, we also have stores Where you can find our delicious coffee from November of 2017.

Why start with a shop online ? The convenience of having fresh coffee at home is priceless. Every month or every 3 weeks. You don't have to worry about coffee anymore. I calculate for you how much coffee you will need based on the number of cups you drink per day and assures me that you receive good Peruvian coffee at home. Bean or ground coffee, you tell me. At Viajero Coffee, we advise you to take it in grain, you can throw away a look at our coffee guide to learn more.

So here's how you can help me make my dreams come true and at the same time help the small farmers in Peru. Order at Viajero Coffee, we will be back soon to continue telling you our next step. I will be in Peru soon to follow a training of coffee specialist in Lima. And after, go on a trip to make direct contact with the coffee farmers. Interviews, videos, and photos will be put online in continuity so that you can follow this adventure as close as possible.

Stay tuned for news from Viajero Coffee, see you soon.

www.viajerocoffee.com