There is an old African proverb that states “If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

Looking for a cozy, welcoming café that serves authentic Latin coffee, food, and pastries? Look no further than El Cafecito, the newest addition to the local coffee scene in Springfield, Missouri. From its charming décor to its delicious Latin-inspired menu, this small business has quickly become a favorite among locals and visitors alike. But behind the success lies a heartwarming story of passion, determination, and community support.

Indulge in the savory explosion of El Cafecito's Torta Ahogada.

It all started when my friend Shanie first approached me about opening up a Latin coffee shop. I was thrilled. At the time, I was starting my own marketing business and I knew that I could put my creative efforts towards this unique concept and it would be rewarded. Shanie and her husband Cristhian Valdez brought their own strengths to the table - Shanie had the business management side covered, while Cristhian had years of experience in the food industry and brought a wealth of cultural knowledge to the venture.

We started with a small Asian restaurant, and we turned that place upside down and inside out. We stripped it down to the bones and put in the work to get it ready for its new life as El Cafecito. From sanding and epoxying the counter tops to using toilet bowl cleaner to clean the floor grout (which is oddly satisfying), we put in the hard work to make sure the space was perfect for its new purpose. We even took on the role of electricians, which resulted in a near-electrocution incident!

During the weeks leading up to and after the opening of El Cafecito, I was fully invested in the process, helping out wherever I could. With my degree and background in hospitality and general business I knew it was no “walk-in-the-park” task opening up a small business, and with my new degree, I wanted to do everything in my efforts to help this business succeed. I did exactly that, I assisted in creating kitchen safety materials, standard operating procedures, and even worked in the kitchen to ensure everything ran smoothly. Although it was a challenging experience, we learned a lot from the initial few weeks of opening. During this time, I discovered that my skills would be better utilized in the marketing aspect of the business. I knew I could apply my creativity and expertise to develop effective marketing strategies that would help promote the business.

As time progressed, I dedicated myself to creating an eye-catching website for El Cafecito. The website had to capture the essence of the business and the unique concept of the Latin coffee shop. Through careful planning and execution, we were able to achieve a website that effectively communicated the brand's identity to potential customers. I also crafted select social media content that not only aligned with the business's brand but also resonated with the target audience.

Additionally, I continuously analyzed the results to ensure that our marketing efforts were successful. I closely monitored the engagement on the website and social media platforms to determine what was working and what wasn't. Based on the data collected, I was able to make necessary adjustments to the marketing strategies to ensure that we were reaching the target audience and making the most of our resources.

Most recently, I have brought this restaurant onboard with our marketing software program. I implemented a subscriber text and email list so we have the ability to keep customers up-to-date on all the latest news and promotions. This approach has proven thus far, to be an effective way to engage with the target audience and promote new offerings. It's a fantastic way to keep customers informed about what's happening in the business and build a loyal customer base. Through my marketing efforts, El Cafecito has been able to grow and thrive, and I believe it will continue to do so.

Looking to the future, we have big plans for Primagery and El Cafecito. We're currently in the process of implementing online ordering as well as QR code technology and even considering developing a custom app to make the ordering process even easier for our customers, especially people constantly on the go. We're also excited to announce that we have plans on rolling out a merchandise line, as well as branded retail coffee with unique Latin flavors. We believe these additions will not only enhance the customer experience but also increase brand awareness and generate new revenue streams. Stay tuned for more updates on our progress!

After working together on various aspects of the business, Shanie had this to say about our partnership and the impact it had on El Cafecito:

“Partnering with Primagery has truly been one of the smartest investments for my company.. Damien's well-thought-out plan for implementing effective marketing tools and strategies, as well as constant analysis of what works best for our business has been essential in our success. He truly has an eye for detail and genuinely cares about the growth of our business. With every company having unique needs and challenges, Damien knows just how to tailor his approach to find the strategies that work best for us.”

- Shanie Valdez, Co-Owner of El Cafecito

Overall, It's been a wild ride, but an amazing journey so far. We've faced challenges, but we've also celebrated many successes along the way. I'm proud of what we've accomplished with El Cafecito, and I'm excited to see what lies ahead for this little coffee shop. We're constantly exploring new ideas and working to make El Cafecito the best it can be.

If you're ever in the area, I encourage you to stop by El Cafecito and experience it for yourself. Whether you're in the mood for a delicious cup of coffee, a tasty pastry, or a savory mouth-watering Chichaloco Burrito, you won't be disappointed. And if you're a business owner in need of marketing help, don't hesitate to reach out - I'd be happy to chat with you about how we can work together to achieve your goals.