What this grand opening means to us
When I (Be’Anka, here) graduated from college, I had no idea what people did for work. I knew there were doctors, lawyers, and even professors, but none of those were for me. Getting a job – any job – where I needed my degree was my only priority.
Jeronica, on the other hand, has worked in coffee shops on and off for the last 17 years. After getting her degree in psychology, the nagging belief that being a barista wasn’t a “real job” just stuck with her. So she tried office jobs and other gigs in hopes of finding that more validating thing.
We didn’t always think like owners or employers. We were employees. Although we dreamed, and specifically about Nirvana Soul over the last ten years, it felt like only that: a dream.
We couldn’t be happier to make our dream come true with you.
Jeronica and I made a decision just about two years ago to open this shop. That was it. We just decided we were going to do it. We had a few things going for us, namely that Jeronica knows the ins and outs of coffee and I’m a marketer, but for the most part, we just put one foot in front of the other. And, most importantly, we did it together.
There is nothing more special than working with my sister on something that has the potential to change the course of our family. Our grandmother lived in San Jose since the mid-1900s until she passed away last year just shy of her 101st birthday. Most of our family is still here. We were born and raised here. We went to schools here. We made our life here.
We’re so proud to be from San Jose – the sleepy bedroom community of the Bay with a ton of potential. The unexpectedly artsy community in the Capital of Silicon Valley. We’re proud to rep for this city, for our family, friends, colleagues, and now, for our customers.
And because we’ve only addressed it in very small part (and because it continues to be a point of curiosity), we’re proud to be black-owned business owners here too.
When we think about our blackness, we see joy. When we think about our story, we see a beautiful journey. The notion that being black is all about the struggle is just not what our experience has been. Were things harder? Probably. Did stuff happen that we can’t prove? Absolutely. But was it impossible? We’re living proof that it wasn’t.
We love being black women. We love that our black grandmother, whose ancestors just a generation before her were considered property in this country, would be tremendously proud if she could see us own a business here today.
We have no illusions that there isn’t still a very long way to go. We know that gross injustices continue to plague us all. We’re especially disheartened by the latest verdict for Breonna Taylor. But what we hope is that this little coffee company of ours will be a light in what has been an exceptionally dark year for many.
Nirvana Soul wasn’t built on the struggle. It was built on the joy.
What fuels this hope are your comments, messages, generosity, and more. We’ve seen how you’ve been with us every step of the way, waiting for us to get funding and a building, encouraging us to sell coffee online and build our website. Thank you. Y’all held us down in a major way! You believed in us the whole way through. We can’t wait for you to enjoy this shop as much as we do.
Whether we succeed or fail, we’ll always know we tried. We made every attempt to control our own destiny. And nothing matters more than that.
So about this weekend. Here’s what you need to know:
Masks are absolutely required. If you’re not able to wear one, please feel free to order coffee online and we’ll see you when we’re able to.
Only 6 people, with the exception of staff, will be allowed in the store at a time. Please distance yourself from others. Remember, we’re still in the age of corona.
We’d love for you to look around, take photos, and enjoy the space. Please be courteous of those coming in behind you. We’ll be cleaning like crazy, but we’ll still need your help.
We’re having a ribbon cutting ceremony! (So cute!) Starts at 9am. Join us if you can.
Have fun & be kind! We know everyone’s been cooped up a while. We’re committed to maintaining our positive attitudes. Let’s enjoy this moment!
Please be patient with us as we make and serve food and drinks in the quickest and safest way possible. We’ll be doing our best.
There will be no curbside pickup or order ahead options this weekend. We will open up these options in the coming week.
And that’s it! We can’t wait to meet you! If you can’t make it this weekend, starting Monday, we’ll be open 7am-4pm until further notice.
We hope you love it! See you soon. :)
- Be’Anka