612: Founder Friday! w/ Yaren Maya of Cafeto Cacao in Oaxaca, Mexico!

I am so glad that I came across this jewel of a cafe in Oaxaca City, Oaxaca, Mexico. We hear often about direct trade relationships, local sourcing, excellent hospitality, and servant leadership all as aspirations of mindful operators. This place is living these aspirations as a part of the daily rhythm. Coffee and Cacao from their backyard. Signature drinks and a food menu made from ingredients direct from local farms. A deep focus on Oaxacan culture and tradition.

I am so happy to welcom to the show the founder of Cafeto Cacao, Yaren Maya!

Yaren Maya is the Founder and Owner of the amazing Cafeto Cacao, a specialty coffee shop in Oaxaca, Mexico. She has been working in the coffee and cacao industry for three years already and the cafe has established itself as the premier destination for thoughtful and excellent hospitality and menu items sourced from Oaxaca. A beautiful business showcasing local flavor, creativity, and kind service to neighbors and tourists alike.

Yaren is also the co-creator of an Oaxacan fusion restaurant, which has been operating for five years and caters for lunches, dinners, and events. Working by the side of others professionals of the industry in Food and Beverages in Oaxaca City, Yaren continues to grow her professional skills as she creates, leads, and serves.

Prior to the restaurant and Cafeto Cacao, Yaren gained professional experience and internships in Mexico and the United States in the hotel industry, basic studies of the English language in Ireland, as well as experience in coffee shops and eventual catering services in the aforementioned country.

In Todays conversation we will cover:

• Yaren's background in hospitality and how it shaped her approach to café ownership
• The importance of local ingredients like cacao, vanilla, and seasonal fruits in menu development
• The fusion concept: blending Oaxaca's traditional cuisine with innovative techniques
• Strategies for staff training on product knowledge and hospitable interactions
• How maintaining integrity and values in sourcing creates a loyal customer base
• The role of small-scale, traditional equipment like clay pots in preserving culture
• Tips for fostering a passionate, adaptable team that shines in a small setting
• Motivation and continuous learning in a competitive, evolving industry

Links: 

Instagram: @Cafeto_cacao