Growing up, I always knew that my parents loved cars, especially my pops. They owned a car import and export service in Ethiopia in the 90s, built with passion and hard work. Mom was the expert in importing cars from Europe, and Dad sold the parts needed for the cars. My dad was also a huge car enthusiast, and he loved to tinker with engines, tuning different parts to improve the performance of the vehicles.
My parent's business was more than just a way to make a living. It was their way of sharing their affinity for cars with their community. They treated their customers like family. I remember spending many afternoons at the shop, chatting with customers and admiring the sleek designs of the cars that came through.
My mom's attention to detail and commitment to excellence set the standard for the business. Everyone who worked with her recognized and respected her expertise navigating complex Import nuances.
My dad was the heart and soul of the operation. He was always eager to share his knowledge and experience with others and deeply loved automotive. His enthusiasm was infectious.
I'm filled with admiration and gratitude for my parents. They showed me the value of hard work, perseverance, and the importance of pursuing your passions. They taught me that a business could be a vessel to share your love for something with the world and make a meaningful impact on the lives of others - the epitome of what Mimo’s Coffee means to me.
As my husband, Dario, and I brainstormed ways to bring the community aspect of our Ethiopian coffee experience to event spaces, he reminded me of my parent's automotive business. Our area has a huge community of car enthusiasts who are also passionate about Coffee.
Dario floated the idea of creating a coffee and cars pop-up to his drifting buddies, and we've since seamlessly merged our passions into a beautiful event series. People come from all over to admire each other's cars, swap stories, and enjoy a cup of Mimo's Coffee together.
Beyond being a fun event, our coffee and cars series is a tribute to my parents and their legacy. They showed me the value of sharing my passions with others, and I am excited to continue the journey.
We hope to see you at our next coffee and cars event!