Today we’d like to introduce you to Michaela Krueger.
Hi Michaela, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Dolce Caffè isn’t just a coffee shop — it’s a love story. Owners, Michaela Krueger and Luka Pivk, fell in love in a European Cafe.
Our journey began across the ocean, where two people connected through their shared passion for coffee and culture. From a small European café where Luka was working and Michaela was enjoying espresso, to the streets of Kansas, we fell in love over espresso, late-night cappuccinos, and dreams of one day creating something of our own.
That dream is now a reality. Dolce Caffè was born from our desire to bring the warmth, quality and soul of European café culture to America. We want every guest to feel like they’re stepping into a little piece of Europe — where time slows down, conversations flow and every cup tells a story.
Our inspiration comes from the cafés of Rome, Paris and Ljubljana, where coffee is more than a drink — it’s a way of life. From carefully selected beans to handcrafted drinks, every detail at Dolce Caffè is made with intention, love, and a touch of European elegance.
This is more than a coffee shop.
It’s our story — and we’re honored to share it with you.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road. The journey began with renovating a 60-year-old abandoned building in Olathe that was in extremely poor condition, requiring significant time, investment, and perseverance. At the same time, we were building a business from the ground up—establishing systems, navigating regulations, and introducing a European-inspired café concept rooted in community and culture. While the response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive, operating as a small business brings ongoing challenges, particularly as consumer priorities shift. These experiences have reinforced how vital it is to support local businesses whenever possible so we can continue bringing meaningful, community-focused spaces like Dolce Caffè to life.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Michaela has spent 16 years in Corporate companies, most currently serves as a Principal Program Manager at Amazon, where she leads complex, cross-functional initiatives focused on operational excellence, process optimization, and scalable execution. Her role requires strategic thinking, data-driven decision making, and the ability to align diverse stakeholders to deliver measurable results at scale.
At Dolce Caffè, Luka is the primary operator, leading the day-to-day café operations, customer experience, team leadership, and in-store execution. He is the face of the business, ensuring consistency, quality, and hospitality are felt in every customer interaction.
Behind the scenes, Michaela acts as the strategic executor, applying my program management expertise to build the foundation that allows the café to operate and grow. This includes business planning, financial oversight, systems and process design, vendor relationships, compliance, strategy, and long-term growth initiatives. Together, we operate as a true partnership—combining hands-on hospitality with disciplined execution to build a sustainable, community-driven business
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Opening Dolce Caffè has introduced us to an incredible network of powerhouse partners, mentors, and friends who have been instrumental to our journey. From fellow small business owners and local creatives to vendors, city partners, and community leaders, we have been fortunate to learn from people who generously shared their expertise, encouragement, and time. Just as importantly, the Olathe community has shown up for us in meaningful ways—supporting us from day one, spreading the word, and choosing to support local. This business exists because of that collective belief, collaboration, and community investment.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dolcecaffeus.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dolcecaffe.us
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1XZepX525G/
- Yelp: https://yelp.to/Mn1gJTGPrV
