Today we’d like to introduce you to Ghiovanna Dennis
Hi Ghiovanna, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I have always wanted to start a coffee shop because I had a special one when I was in high school I’d run away to every chance I got in downtown OTR. As an adult I never found anything like it! When I drove by my now building I almost stopped traffic when I saw the for rent sign. I thought… “I could do this” being an entrepreneur already I had grown my network to include a few mentors at this point who were also investors. I called one up and proposed my plan they asked me to make a business plan (I didn’t know how to) I did anyway and it was pretty awful for a whole week they drilled me with questions I didn’t know how to answer. Making me go back every night to rewrite sections upon sections. I was going to give up at this point I felt dumb I knew they knew I had no idea what I was doing. At this point my daughter was a senior and still had no clue what she wanted to do after high school. My kids were so used to my crazy ideas and plans I didn’t phase them. One morning she came and snuggled me in bed and saw me working in a mood board for the cafe with its bright 90’s aesthetic and event ideas plastered all over my canvas her eyes lit up and said WHERE IS THAT!? I wanna go there!!
I knew I had to make it happen and I knew this would be her next chapter. I dug in and redid the proposal and the investor said I’m gonna give you this because with your lack of experience no one would be crazy enough to give it to you but I believe in you guys.
I couldn’t believe it and the rest is history.
Alexis my now 20 year old daughter is my General Manager. My youngest daughter (10) Teagan is our best employee and between a busy social life and 5th grade make a mean frappe. She is learning what most kids will never learn until they are older and had a better work ethic then most already! and Alexis and I both hope this molds her into doing whatever she sets her mind to.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There have been many but the biggest was that I started this cafe happily (or so I thought) married for almost 8!years for 6 months side by side we fixed and created everything and made it what it is then two weeks before open… my spouse left me. I went from 4 streams of income to 1.
Working through the worst heartbreak of my life combined with fulfilling a dream was torture and extremely therapeutic. It’s been the hardest thing I’ve ever done but ultimately was the best choice even if I didn’t get to make it. I’m grateful for how everything turned out at this point and wouldn’t change a thing!
I can saw I am not the same woman I was when I started this. Proudly.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
We are known for using coffee in our cafe as the bait. Our true purpose to be a dreamers playground. We want to provide the space for entrepreneurs and small businesses to try new ideas in a safe space and motivate others to just try out their dreams. Maybe there is a class you’ve always wanted to teach or start a club for something super niche. Maybe your business is so little you can’t afford a launch party or an open house.
We’ve got you.
We are passionate about community and people and strive to fill a room with people from different walks of life and different generations sharing stories and lessons. After all your life is made up merely of moments and it just takes one to change your life. They say the most important thing you can build in your life is relationships and we are here to prove that theory
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Passion for people. Love for connection. Motivation to make not only my dreams come true but dukes by wanting to help others dream big period.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.coteriecafe.com
- Instagram: Coterie lounge cafe
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/coterieloungecafe
- Other: https://TikTok.com/govidennis
