Our Name is Our Familia
Ou brand is rooted in Cuban American culture, and our name is a fusion of Spanish and English—what we proudly call Spanglish.
We are devoted to offering an authentic coffee experience where everyone feels like familia.
Our Founder
Founder, Lauren Perez, is American-born and made with Cuban parts. Her roots are evident at Colada Joe. Her parents immigrated to Miami in the 1960’s with nothing but the clothes on their backs and the want for freedom. Not only did their hard work give them the freedom they desired, but provided for their family of four.
Lauren is a graduate of Florida International University with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and a Masters Degree in Hospitality. She has over 10 years in retail and hospitality, and has a true passion for enhancing the customer experience. So much so, she insists on calling her customers her guests, her familia. For without them, there would be no Colada Joe.
Our passion is to bring a piece of home to everyone interacting with the brand. You become a part of the Perez family the minute you taste our cafecito, authentically made with that Cuban Abuela touch.
How It Started
The Perezes have a history of family travels over the last 20 years, and they are beyond thankful for that. They love adventuring into the mountains and setting off on hikes to experience the beauty that is the United States and its National Parks. A tradition that Lauren hopes to continue with her own family.
It was during one of these trips that her entrepreneurial instincts kicked in, as the Perezes passed a tiny coffee shop, or hut, really, in a lonely highway near Canon Beach, Oregon, in July of 2011. They recall a "¿Qué qué?” moment when they spotted the quaint little shop. “Believe it or not, that was my epiphany to start my own business which turned into a dream - to share our cafecito in the most unique and meaningful places.”, says Lauren.
One day, she hopes to drive down that Oregon road and see that little coffee shop again. She would love to show her future family and say, "Niños, miren pa’ allá, look over there! That's how Colada Joe was born.”