Today we’d like to introduce you to Bianca Cedeño.
Hi Bianca, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My husband, Omaly, and I have always dreamed of opening a coffee shop—a place that would embody fellowship, community, and the simple joy of experiencing service rooted in love. For years, that dream stayed in our hearts, uncertain of when it would become a reality. But in 2024, we decided to take a leap of faith.
A good friend of mine was selling her coffee cart, and we saw it as the opportunity we had been praying for. I remember the day we picked up the cart vividly—by the very next day, we were serving at our first wedding show. We barely knew how to work the new equipment, but we showed up, learned on the go, and embraced the challenge. It’s always humbling to look back at those early days and see how far we’ve come.
Since then, we’ve had the privilege of serving so many wonderful people and experiencing truly special moments along the way. While our ultimate dream remains to open a brick-and-mortar coffee shop, we are deeply enjoying this season of bringing the coffee experience directly to our guests and community. There’s something incredibly special about meeting new people, setting up in unique spaces, and sharing a cup of coffee that’s crafted with love and intention.
This is just the beginning for Zeal Coffee, and we can’t wait to see where this journey takes us next.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Running a business is a journey of highs and lows—there’s no doubt about that. For us, the road has been anything but smooth, but it’s been worth every bump along the way. From learning how to operate new equipment overnight to navigating the logistics of setting up at different venues, there have been plenty of moments where we’ve been stretched and tested.
One of the biggest challenges we faced was teaching ourselves how to roast coffee. We are entirely self-taught coffee roasters, and in the beginning, just understanding the machine and the intricate art of roasting was a struggle. There were countless batches that didn’t turn out quite right, and the learning curve was steep. But we didn’t give up—we kept learning, experimenting, and refining our process. To further our skills, we even took a roasting course to deepen our understanding and improve our craft. It’s still a journey, but each roast feels like a step forward.
There were also moments when I questioned if we were really cut out for this—early mornings, long hours, equipment malfunctions, and unexpected challenges that seemed to pop up just when things were going smoothly. I remember days when the weather wouldn’t cooperate, or our tent broke during a busy weekend, forcing us to scramble for a replacement just hours before an event.
Balancing work and family life has also been a unique challenge. Omaly and I have four kids, and it can feel like a whirlwind at times. There have been moments when we didn’t have a sitter, and I had to run the show solo, juggling orders, brewing espresso, and serving guests all while keeping a smile on my face. Those days are tough, but they’re also a reminder of why we do this—for our family, for our community, and for the love of serving good coffee.
But through every struggle, we’ve grown stronger. Our faith has deepened, our problem-solving skills have sharpened, and our community has rallied around us in ways that remind us why we started this journey in the first place. It’s those connections—the people we serve and the relationships we build—that make every challenge feel worthwhile.
We’re still learning and growing every day, but we wouldn’t trade this experience for anything. It’s a reminder that sometimes the most beautiful things come from the hardest places.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Zeal Coffee is more than just a mobile espresso bar—it’s a passion project turned reality, driven by a deep love for coffee, community, and connection. My husband, Omaly, and I launched Zeal Coffee with the vision of bringing high-quality, handcrafted coffee experiences to events and communities across Cleveland, Ohio. From weddings and corporate gatherings to local markets and church events, our mobile cart allows us to serve exceptional coffee wherever people gather.
We specialize in crafting espresso-based drinks using beans that we roast ourselves. As self-taught coffee roasters, we’ve spent countless hours perfecting our roasting process to highlight the natural flavors of each origin. Our offerings include everything from classic lattes and americanos to signature drinks featuring our house-made syrups—crafted with real ingredients and no artificial flavors.
What sets us apart is our foundation as a faith-based business. Our mission goes beyond serving great coffee—we aim to bring people together, serve with love, and create spaces of connection and joy. It’s more than a business; it’s a calling to serve others well and be a light in our community.
We are incredibly proud of our house-made syrups, created in small batches with pure ingredients that elevate each drink to something truly special. Another key aspect of Zeal Coffee is our flexibility. Our mobile setup allows us to transform any event space into a coffee experience—complete with our signature espresso cart, crafted drinks, and warm hospitality.
We want readers to know that Zeal Coffee is more than just a cup of coffee—it’s a reflection of our journey, our faith, and our desire to bring people together over something we love.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I love most about Cleveland is that it’s home. There’s so much history, culture, and diversity woven into every part of this city. Cleveland is often underestimated, but I love how resilient and determined the community is to keep moving forward and building something beautiful. I’ve seen so many people step out in faith, start their own businesses, pursue their dreams, and use their creativity to bring life to this city. It’s inspiring to witness that kind of passion and grit—people who believe in Cleveland and are making it thrive.
As for what I like least, I think it would be the lingering perception that Cleveland is just an underdog city. There’s so much potential and growth happening here, but sometimes that narrative gets overshadowed. I would love to see more people recognize the beauty and strength of this community—the makers, the dreamers, the small businesses that are shaping its future.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://zealcoffee.myshopify.com/
- Instagram: zeal_coffeeco
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556829680157
