Inspiring Conversations with Caleb Chincoya-velasco of Rebel Coffee

Today we’d like to introduce you to Caleb Chincoya-velasco

Hi Caleb, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I don’t ever recall not drinking coffee. It’s a cultural part of my life that I’ve enjoyed for as long as I can remember. As a child, I recall helping my grandmother separate the fruit, clean the seeds, dry, toast, and grind them until finally making the coffee. Though I don’t quite recall what it tasted like, I do remember those impactful memories with my family around the table. The distinct aroma from the toasting process, and the clinking sound of my mom stirring in a small amount of cream and sugar into my taza (mug).

As I got older, I experienced coffee differently. Moving from city to city, working at small shops, roasting my own coffee, and now owning a shop, it’s been a caffeine filled journey full of excitement and plentiful obstacles.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Throughout my journey, I’ve faced my fair share of challenges. From the mundane to the right down absurd, it’s been quite the adventure. One of the most memorable incidents, occurred a few weeks ago. While rinsing a milk pitcher, the faucet broke. Water didn’t just spray all over, it erupted, soaking me, flooding the counters and floors. I had to rip open the wall to shut off the water. As I stood there chuckling at how such a small thing had led to me standing there dripping wet, a customer walked up and asked for a refill.

What a way to seal the moment in a perfect realization that if something can go wrong, it will. It’s not always smooth, sometimes it’s wet, and sometimes it’s overwhelming. It happens all the time, and in peculiar ways. In the end, it’s all very fulfilling.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At Rebel Coffee, we aim to change the way people think about what they drink. Coffee is a communal beverage that brings people together, both family and friends. It makes you feel warm, and we wanted to make a space that captured that feeling. When you visit, we don’t want to feel like we’re having a transaction—we want to feel like we’re sharing a cup of coffee together, while at the same time, focussing on ethically sourced single origin coffees.

Any big plans?
As we grow, we are looking forward to hosting a variety of events including coffee tastings, educational workshops, community gatherings, and many other events. We’d love to be a hub where folks can gather and enjoy community, while sipping on some amazing coffee (or tea!).

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.rebelcoffeekc.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebelcoffeeon39th/