The Journey of Starting a Business

There are people who say that, at some point in your life, you will meet someone who will completely change your mindset and the way you see the world. I used to think it was just something people say until it happened to me.

I met mine at the most unexpected time, in the most vulnerable and emotional place, my brother’s funeral.

He was unlike anyone I had met before. He owned a hotel and a coffee shop, and he baked his own pastries both French and local. There was something about his passion, his drive, and the way he built something from the ground up that made me see life differently.

To understand why that mattered so much, I have to go back to when I was in high school. My NCAE results showed that I better take something about “enterprising,” which I didn’t like at all. I wanted something more “clerical”, a path that leads to traditional professional jobs. I had my heart set on taking up Bachelor of Science in Accountancy.

But life had other plans.

I enrolled late, and by the time I got there, there were no more slots left. With no other choice, I ended up taking Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurial Management, the very path I had tried to avoid.

At the time, it felt like a setback. But looking back now, maybe it wasn’t.

Maybe it was preparing me for something or someone I didn’t even know I would meet.

I was content with my professional career. Climbing the corporate ladder was a journey I considered a huge feat, especially coming from an underprivileged background. Every step forward felt like a victory I had worked hard for.

I am currently working as a Training Specialist, handling professional development for the EMEA region. It is a role I am truly passionate about, one that brings me a deep sense of fulfillment. There is something incredibly rewarding about guiding individuals in their careers, watching them grow, learn, and eventually thrive. Being part of their journey is something I take pride in.

For the longest time, I believed I had already found my path.

I was content until I met him.

He ignited something in me that I didn’t know was still there. A spark. An entrepreneurial spirit that had quietly existed in the background, waiting for the right moment to come alive.

Suddenly, I found myself questioning everything not out of dissatisfaction, but out of possibility.

What if there was more I could build?
What if I could create something of my own?
What if the path I once resisted was actually meant for me all along?

Fortunately, this dream has become a reality. I established Esmeraldo’s Café in honor of my father’s legacy, a venture built on brilliance, humility, a touch of luck, and, above all, God’s grace. Along the way, I learned to embrace abundance, knowing that without making space for it, I could easily become overwhelmed.

Today, I can proudly call myself an entrepreneur, driven by a purpose to create a place where people can build deeper connections, meaningful conversations, and lasting relationships.

I also discovered a passion for baking, which we express through a variety of pastries inspired by my mood and creativity. Beyond this venture, baking has become a source of joy, my newfound love that continues to inspire me every day.

Being an entrepreneur is not easy, and along the way, I’ve learned so much. From handling construction and navigating taxes to securing permits, understanding legal requirements, and embracing social responsibility, each aspect has been a challenge that shaped my journey and helped me grow.

I truly feel blessed to have people who have supported me along the way. The journey has been much easier because God has never failed to provide help whenever I needed it. While I don’t know what the future holds, I remain excited about what tomorrow may bring. There is still fear in the unknown and uncertainty, but there is also a sense of wonder and excitement in exploring uncharted paths. One that will hopefully lead me to my purpose.