Today we’d like to introduce you to Jimmy And Debra Ybarra.
Hi Jimmy and Debra, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Our journey didn’t begin with a perfect plan, it began with a feeling. A quiet but persistent pull to create something meaningful, something that could bring people together and make a difference, even in small ways. Like many, we started with uncertainty, learning as we went, taking risks, and discovering who we were with each step forward.
Along the way, we realized that what matters most to us isn’t traditional success, it’s connection. It’s creating spaces where people feel seen, welcomed, and valued. That realization sparked a dream that has stayed with us ever since: opening a coffee shop that’s more than just a place to grab a drink. We envision it as a beacon of hope in a small community, a place where stories are shared, where people can slow down, find comfort, and truly feel like they belong.
At the same time, this dream is deeply rooted in family. We want to build something lasting, something we can hand down and one day watch with pride as it’s carried forward by the next generation. A place that not only serves the community but becomes part of our family’s story for years to come. Not just a business, but a legacy grounded in purpose, resilience, and heart.
Every experience we’ve had, every challenge we’ve faced, has helped shape that vision. We’re still building, still learning, and still growing, but we’re closer now than ever to turning that dream into something real. And that’s what keeps us moving forward: the belief that even something as simple as a cup of coffee can create moments of connection, moments that strengthen communities and leave a lasting impact for generations.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Opening Windmill KC Coffeehouse at the start of the pandemic meant we were stepping into constant uncertainty right away. We dealt with capacity restrictions, changing guidelines, and moments where we didn’t know if we’d be able to stay open or how people would respond. There was financial pressure, and just the challenge of trying to build something stable in a really unstable time.
On top of that, there were the normal struggles of building something from the ground up, making tough decisions, figuring things out as we went, and pushing through moments of doubt and fatigue.
But those challenges really shaped us. They forced us to be more adaptable, more creative, and more grounded in our purpose. Our faith played a huge role in that, helping us keep going when things felt uncertain and reminding us that the obstacles were part of the journey, not the end of it.
And now, being five years in and still going strong, we can look back and see how those early struggles actually built the foundation for what we are today. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been incredibly meaningful.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The Windmill KC Coffee House is a cozy neighborhood spot where good coffee, great food, and friendly faces come together. We’re known for handcrafted espresso drinks, lattes, matcha, chai, and fresh breakfast and lunch options that make it easy to start your day or take a relaxing break. What we really love most is creating a welcoming place where everyone feels comfortable coming in, whether you’re grabbing your usual order, meeting a friend, or discovering us for the first time.
What sets us apart is the heart behind everything we do. We’re proud to be a local, family-run coffee house that cares about quality, community, and making every visit feel personal. At The Windmill KC, we want people to know they’ll find more than just coffee here, they’ll find a warm atmosphere, thoughtful service, and a place that truly feels like part of the neighborhood.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Opening Windmill KC Coffeehouse right at the start of the pandemic was probably the biggest risk we’ve taken. There was so much uncertainty, nothing felt stable, and from the outside it didn’t look like the “right” time. But for us, it really came down to faith. We felt called to it, and we believed in the vision and the community behind it, even when the path ahead wasn’t clear.
That season really shaped how we think about risk. We don’t just see it as a business decision, we see it as a step of faith. And for us, faith isn’t just something you believe in theory, it’s something you actually walk in. It’s choosing to move forward even when you don’t have all the answers, trusting that each step will be revealed as you go.
That doesn’t mean we ignored reality. We stayed wise about what we could control, our resources, our flexibility, how we showed up for people, but we also had to release what we couldn’t control. There’s a balance there between wisdom and trust.
So we wouldn’t necessarily call ourselves risk-takers in the traditional sense. It’s more that we’re willing to be obedient to what we feel led to do, even when it doesn’t fully make sense on paper. For us, risk is really about trusting God enough to take the next step, and believing that He’ll meet us there.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thewindmillkc.com/menu
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewindmillkc?igsh=MTNiNnNocG9tMmdkbg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18t7BowGZ1/?mibextid=wwXIfr
