Women in coffee
Brewing local inspiration
2
min
In the heart of Paraisópolis, Brazil, siblings Tamiris Abreu and Leticia Dos Santos Abreu have turned Sister Coffee into more than a café – it’s a space where their passion for coffee has become a living inspiration for other female entrepreneurs.
Connecting the community
Leticia and Tamiris are kickstarting a coffee scene in Paraisópolis, Brazil, centred around their pioneering café, Sister Coffee. This warm, welcoming establishment is now a community hub that's also become a beacon to a new generation of women.
“We have a common vision that our family business can move forward, and that our children will maintain its essence, from generation to generation.”
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Cosy and comfortable
Tamiris and Leticia are proudly building a community around their start-up venture, fittingly called Sister Coffee. This cosy, family-run place is in the heart of the neighbourhood they grew up in. “It’s the first café in Paraisópolis,” they say. “We have introduced high quality coffee, and offer a warm atmosphere, setting new standards and filling a significant local gap.”
Bringing coffee home
Prior to Sister Coffee, there weren’t any establishments for Paraisópolis locals to enjoy a great cup of coffee. “I was born here and grew up here,” says Leticia. “I witnessed the favela become a community, and wanted to provide it with what we give to the outside world.” A flourishing space, the café has become a thriving meeting point where people gather, connect and catch up. “It represents everything. It’s a dream,” she adds.
Training and mentorship
NESCAFÉ® helped the sisters turn their dreams into reality when they participated in our Future Barista Program. Here, they underwent intensive training, learnt the art of coffee roasting, and got to understand how important baristas are to sharing their knowledge and love for coffee with others. They were also taught the fundamentals of running a business and were paired with a mentor who offers them support when needed.
Growth and support
Tamaris and Leticia came across the Future Barista Program just as they were considering growing their business. “The training gave us a very good foundation,” says Tamaris. “It brought together the practical and the theoretical. NESCAFÉ® has always supported Sister Coffee with great opportunities.” For the sisters, the benefits were also very personal. “The most valuable lesson we learned from the Future Barista Program was losing some fears,” they say. “It got us to move out of our comfort zones.”
Inspiring others
The sisters believe their success will create a new generation of coffee lovers. “I hope to be an inspiration to other women and entrepreneurs,” says Tamaris. “If they believe in their dream, they can realise it.” “We want our children to maintain our essence, from generation to generation,” she adds. Their dedication is going a long way to establishing a strong coffee culture in Paraisópolis, testament to how deep passion, a strong vision and hard work can contribute to a closer-knit community.
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