Brewpoint Coffee

10 year anniversary reflections…Before Brewpoint Coffee, I was a bit lost—hopping from school to school, job to job, community to community. Roots weren’t really my thing, and I envisioned a nomadic life. I lived a year in the Middle East, contemplated becoming an international correspondent, and studied for the foreign services exam. Then, fate intervened with the infamous coffee shop listing on Craigslist. 2014 was the year my life came together. I found my partner, who balanced my impulsive nature; my business, which grounded me and gave me a sense of purpose; and my community, which motivated me to improve every day. I couldn’t have predicted what Brewpoint would become, but it has been life-changing for me and, I hope, for many others. It has been a place where I’ve grown up, developed my leadership, tested my beliefs, and witnessed the power of belonging. It’s not perfect, but it’s beyond my wildest dreams. And truly, we would not be here without your support and connection. So here’s to 10 years of Brewpoint Coffee, to you, and to many more years of growth, community building, and big dreams.

Makers & Shakers is officially back, and with one of the biggest entrepreneurship turnouts for us last year (220+ business owners), we wanted to make it even bigger. Welcome to Makers and Shakers: Elevating Dreams Edition, in partnership with the City of Elmhurst/Explore Elmhurst and Innovation DuPage. If you are a current or aspiring entrepreneur in the Chicagoland area, join us at Stage 119 in Elmhurst, on July 18th for an exciting in-person networking event where we’ll be showcasing established entrepreneurs and small business owners who use tech and AI to make a more efficient and streamlined business. This isn’t a sales talk, it is a practical and interactive discussion on what works and hasn’t worked for business owners just like you when it comes to tech and AI. More details to come. This event is valued at $50 per person, but tickets are FREE through the generous support of the Elmhurst Economic Development Commission/Explore Elmhurst and Innovation DuPage, who believe that accessibility to build and scale small businesses is an important part of a growing diverse economy. This event is pioneered by me, Founder/CEO of Brewpoint Coffee. When: Thursday, July 18th, 6pm to 10pm Where: Stage 119, 119 Commerce Ave, Elmhurst, IL Who: Current + aspiring business owners & entrepreneurs in the Chicagoland area What to expect: ⭐ Networking with other local business owners ⭐ Enjoy free delicious food + drinks by Modern Plate ⭐ Get a free headshot to elevate your profiles by Headshot Haus Adrian Orozco ⭐ Learn about different tech platforms from scaling entrepreneurs ⭐ Lastly, stick around for karaoke from 8-10pm :) RSVP your tickets today: https://lnkd.in/g7z9zQap Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to connect with fellow dreamers and visionaries. Get ready to be inspired, motivated, and empowered to turn your entrepreneurial dreams into reality.

I'm going to try something different. I actually don't like social media too much as I've had a hard time knowing how to be authentic on it. But I've been on this journey where my internal voice is getting clearer and clearer, and so I'm going to attempt a different way of sharing achievements on here. The Achievement (aka what you see): I'm honored to be selected for the Tory Burch Foundation Entrepreneur Program 2024! This is an amazing organization of people with resources and energy to help women succeed in business. What you don't see: Meeting this incredible group of women was a pivotal moment for me last week. I've been struggling to figure out my North Star in business as the more success I've had, the more pressure and disconnection I've felt. With big opportunities on the horizon, the fear of failure has been making it harder and harder to know why I am doing all this in the first place. Meeting with Tory and other incredible women on the call, it was clear they know why they are doing what they are doing (to give women the resources and connections needed to do big things, things that have never been done before). Hearing their vision and clarity, made me take this week to really sit with myself. I don't want Brewpoint Coffee to be whatever will make it successful. I want it to continually carry a message for what I believe is important during this brief time I am on the Earth. Coffee is so often referred to as fuel, but for me, it has a product that caused me to pause and find inspiration, hope, and purpose. One thing I am soaking in from our fellows meeting is this concept of being a leader that embraces failure. I am learning to be someone who sees failure as not something to run from, but a necessary teacher, to guide me to what is right for me. Thank you, Tiffany Dufu, for your wisdom on this. So right now, I am very grateful to be where I am, nearly 10 years into being an entrepreneur, but still feeling fresh with a child-like wonder for what is in front of me. I look forward to sharing the evolution of what's to come. 

On April 12th, 2024, Melissa Villanueva and Michelle R. Johnson will host a unique pitching competition for the coffee industry called Elevating Dreams Erasing Divides following the first day of the SCA Expo 2024. Attendees will get to watch coffee industry entrepreneurs pitch their businesses and products to a panel of judges, network with fellow professionals, and enjoy drinks and food from local vendors. "We’re offering a unique chance for entrepreneurs to see how these innovations can help them thrive.” — Melissa Villanueva The event is FREE to attend! Learn how to register for this chance to network and learn from entrepreneurs across the coffee industry. #specialtycoffee #coffee #scaexpo2024 #chicago

Hey everyone, Definitely have a lot of great entrepreneur related work happening this Spring...and one that I am VERY excited about is Call for Culture's inaugural Culture Impact Lab this May! With my background in building Brewpoint Coffee and hosting a number values-centered entrepreneur events in the Chicagoland area, I was thrilled when I received the invitation to participate in the inaugural Culture Impact Lab, as a panelist. The Culture Impact Lab is everything conferences aren’t. We’re throwing out the stuffy ballrooms, and inviting everyone to join us to change the way we work — by actually doing the work and strategic planning to change our workplace cultures. You’ll not only hear from a diverse set of speakers, but you’ll actually be guided through culture transformation work by these same experts over the course of this 2-day experience. Did I mention that this event is run by one of my favorite entrepreneurs, Angela R. Howard? If anything, make sure to check out her profile and follow her to get a taste of what this lab is all about. It’s all happening in May, and you can sign up now at the link in my profile/here. Be sure to use my code MELISSAVILLANUEVA300 for a discount on registration! Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/guCqs5jm Also, if you notice in the pictures, how cool is it that I get to be host committee with my Dad?! (Victor Villanueva)

Everything is coming together for Elevating Dreams Erasing Divides on April 12th from 6-9pm for the Specialty Coffee Association Expo! Check out our latest press release with Daily Coffee News by Roast Magazine: https://lnkd.in/gsMENmRs RSVP before tickets run out: https://lnkd.in/g9upMrF5 See you there, Brewpoint Coffee Team & Ghost Town Oats Team