Marcela Galvez and Allegra Wynne-Kaplan turned their shared love for coffee and women’s empowerment into Barista Babes Coffee & Matcha, a mobile business serving University of Miami students weekly.
The female-owned coffee and matcha cart and trailer regularly sets up at several campus locations, near the School of Communication, the Jorge M. Pérez Architecture Center and the Cox Science Building.
“I have always wanted a coffee business and love the community that coffee brings to people,” said Wynne-Kaplan. “We just put our minds together and this is what came of it.”
Wynne-Kaplan said the idea developed naturally from their shared interests, close proximity and growing friendship, which led them to realize that starting a business together aligned with their goals and passions.
Before launching Barista Babes, Wynne-Kaplan had long envisioned owning a coffee business, while Galvez expressed interest in starting a female-owned business of her own.
Galvez, a former school teacher, and Wynne-Kaplan, who owns a clothing business, drew on their customer service experience and people skills to expand the simple coffee shop into something more engaging.
They noticed the rising popularity of matcha and decided to add it to their menu. Since then, their customer base has grown, with many returning regularly for their matcha.
The woman chose to cater to UM for several reasons: both are Miami residents, they understand the college student’s need for caffeine, and they enjoy the opportunity to connect with students.
“I like going to Barista Babes because I am a communications student so it is convenient to have a truck there since there are no other spots on that side of campus,” said Kiki Ferreira, a senior at UM. “I honestly find the coffee super good and the women in the truck are so nice.
But, Barista Babe doesn’t only serve matcha at UM. Through collaborations with local Miami businesses and events, the two women bring their coffee cart and truck on the go, providing for a wider community.
The business tailors its offerings to its audience, whether catering events, collaborating with other businesses or serving students on campus.
“UM students know what they like and they are looking for that specifically,” said Wynne-Kaplan “And when they come back, it means we did a good job with providing them.”
In addition to coffee and matcha drinks, Barista Babes sells a variety of baked goods sourced from two other female-owned startups. The company, which will celebrate its first anniversary in April, has continued to grow while emphasizing health-conscience options.
“It is aimed towards giving students and people healthy choices,” said Galvez. “We are so happy talking to people and getting personal interactions. That’s why we love working and our customers every day.”
With steady success both on and off of campus, Barista Babes continues to expand, offering students and Miami residents a place to grab a drink and make a new friend along the way.