Today we’d like to introduce you to Miel.
Hi Miel, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m a first-generation Argentine American, born and raised in Northern New Mexico, shaped deeply by my father’s immigrant story and the tight-knit, culturally rich communities I grew up in. I spent fifteen years in the arts, running flamenco dance companies and schools, which taught me discipline, storytelling, and how culture builds connection. Those early experiences, along with navigating marginalization and scarcity, taught me how to work hard, move through difficulty, and lead with empathy.
In 2018, my husband Curtis and I co-founded Café Corazón as a way to carry those lessons forward. We wanted to give the coffee bean a voice, honor the Latin American people behind it, and create a space rooted in cultural pride, community, and care. What started as a personal expression of heritage has grown into a mission-driven business and platform for connection—one that continues to guide how I build, lead, and serve my community today.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road. Like many immigrant-rooted and mission-driven businesses, the path has been shaped by struggle, uncertainty, and having to build without a safety net. I’ve navigated marginalization, financial strain, and the constant pressure of proving that a culturally centered business belongs and can thrive. Opening Café Corazón required wearing every hat, making hard choices, and continuing forward even when resources were limited and the outcome wasn’t guaranteed.
At the same time, those struggles prepared me for the work. Growing up going without, learning to move through difficulty, and leaning on community taught me resilience and clarity of purpose. The challenges sharpened my values and reinforced why this work matters—to honor people, culture, and labor that are often overlooked, and to build something rooted in dignity, care, and community rather than ease or convenience.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Café Corazón is a Latin American–inspired coffee and yerba mate house rooted in cultural pride, storytelling, and community care. We specialize in coffee sourced exclusively from Latin America—beyond fair trade, from farms that pay more than the standard fair-trade price and roasted locally in Kansas City. What we’re known for is giving the coffee bean a voice. Coffee isn’t just a latte to us; it represents the people, cultures, and labor behind it, and we intentionally build our menu to honor that lineage through flavors, ingredients, and story.
What truly sets Café Corazón apart is how we pair coffee with culture. Our signature drinks—like the Spicy Mayan Mocha made with organic Peruvian cacao, our homemade Horchata Latte, and the Dulce de Leche Latte inspired by South American sweets—are designed to reflect the tastes and celebrations of the regions where our coffee comes from. We are also the Midwest’s premier yerba mate house, offering 11 varieties from Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Brazil, and introducing many people to this deeply social, energizing drink that’s central to Latin American life.
Beyond beverages, Café Corazón is a space. We are proud to be a safe, welcoming place for people of color and a bridge for those who may be unfamiliar with Latin American cultures to experience the smells, colors, art, and warmth of those traditions. We partner with mission-driven local businesses, including The Tamale Kitchen, a nonprofit providing living-wage jobs to immigrant women, and we feature Latinx art throughout our cafés—making culture visible, celebrated, and accessible.
What I’m most proud of is that Café Corazón has remained values-driven as it has grown. We center people over profit, community over convenience, and authenticity over trends. I want readers to know that when they walk into Café Corazón, they’re not just buying coffee—they’re participating in a story that honors farmers, immigrants, artists, and the belief that small, intentional businesses can educate, unite, and create real social impact.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Absolutely—Café Corazón is truly a family and community effort, and I wouldn’t be here without the incredible people who surround me. First and foremost, my husband Curtis and our daughter Dulcinea are my daily partners in everything. As a family, we take on challenges together, work hard through every obstacle, and celebrate every victory. Their support, creativity, and unwavering commitment make everything possible.
Our amazing staff are also central to our success. Allison, Alejandro, and Pablo manage and work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep the café running smoothly, problem-solve on the fly, and support our team. And of course, our baristas deserve huge credit—they bring not only incredible skill to every cup, but also their energy, sass, and beautiful personalities that make Café Corazón a warm, welcoming, and memorable space for our community. Every success here is shared with them, and I’m endlessly grateful for their dedication, passion, and heart.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cafecorazonkc.com
- Instagram: cafecorazonkc
- Facebook: cafecorazonkc
