About Us
Hi, we’re Vanessa and Daniel, the hearts behind Willow Cafe Co!
As high school sweethearts in our early 20s, we’ve always dreamed of building something together. Coffee gave us the perfect way to bring that dream to life. We believe coffee has a special way of bringing people together, creating connections, and turning little moments into lasting memories.
In 2023, Daniel found a tiny kitten wandering around, and we instantly knew she was meant to be part of our family. We named her Willow, and she quickly became our everything.
We’re so excited to share our love of coffee with you and create a little community, one cup at a time.
From El Salvador to Your Cup
Vanessa had the incredible opportunity to travel to El Salvador with Florida International University and Lavazza, where she immersed herself in the world of coffee and gained a deeper appreciation for everything that goes into every cup.
This journey was especially meaningful to Vanessa because her grandmother is from El Salvador. Being able to visit the country, connect with its people, and experience its coffee culture made the trip feel like a connection to both her family and her passion for coffee.
During her trip, Vanessa became Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) certified and experienced coffee from the farm all the way to the café. She visited coffee farms high in the mountains, learned how coffee is grown and processed, met coffee farmers and millers, and connected with local café owners. One of her favorite moments was planting her very own coffee tree!
One of the most memorable stops was Café Tuxpal in San Salvador, where Vanessa participated in a coffee cupping and tasted what she describes as the best espresso she’s ever had. She immediately knew she wanted to share these incredible beans back home in the United States.
That experience led Vanessa to connect with Lily Pacas, Director of Café Tuxpal, and share her vision for Willow Cafe Co. What started as a love for coffee grew into a meaningful connection with the people behind it.
We are incredibly proud to serve coffee from Café Tuxpal and bring a little piece of El Salvador to every cup we serve.
From the mountains of El Salvador to your cup, we’re honored to share a piece of Vanessa’s heritage, our love of coffee, and the story behind every bean. ☕🇸🇻
