Meet Enrique García | Entrepreneur, Architect, Designer, Painter a good human

We had the good fortune of connecting with Enrique García and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Enrique, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
My business is a celebration of Honduran culture and, by contributing back to the small farms we work with to bring sustainably- and ethically-sourced coffee from Honduras to the United States, we aim to help Honduran communities flourish. When the architectural firm I was working for laid me off during the Covid-19 pandemic, it forced me to create my own opportunities. Navigating job loss was a challenging and stressful time for me and my family, but it gave me a chance to refocus on what I am passionate about and really explore how I could combine my professional skills and personal interests (outside my architectural and construction management firm) to serve communities in the United States and in my native country of Honduras. CDH is the result of being locked down (drinking lots of coffee!) and having conversations with friends and family in Honduras who helped me understand the extent to which many communities are still lacking potable water, adequate education, internet access, and other resource we take for granted here in the United States. That is why my coffee company is cultivating relationships exclusively with small farms and farmers so that we can build meaningful relationships that will better enable us to contribute back to Honduran communities in the most impactful ways while celebrating Honduran culture in the United States and delivering the best coffee experience our customers have ever had! When we import and share our coffee, it is not transactional. We are building a symbiotic relationship between farmers and coffee lovers and exciting our customers by offering an unparalleled coffee drinking experience that improves the lives of others.
 

What should our readers know about your business?
Absolutely, let me dive into the heart of our coffee business. What sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to sustainability and the delicious notes that transport you back to great memories while drinking cafecito in your mornings with friends and family. I take immense pride in embedding these principles in our ethos, creating not just a product but a movement.

The journey wasn’t easy, navigating challenges from the pandemic’s onset to convincing my partner about sustainability. Overcoming these hurdles involved resilience, creativity, and a dedication to our vision. Lessons learned include the power of adaptation and the profound impact of community engagement.

Our story is one of blending Latin traditions with a sustainable coffee journey, supported by mentors, friends, sobriety groups, and diverse influences. I want the world to know that our brand is more than coffee; it’s a vehicle for positive change, connecting consumers with the communities they support.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
This is a great question, given my passion for the architectural wonders of New Orleans and its food. I would kick off the afternoon at Bacchanal in the Bywater area, a fantastic wine venue with live music and delicious food. To keep the good vibes flowing, we’d explore the Marigny area and then head to the French Quarter to revel in great music and soak in the beautiful architecture—people-watching, a definite must!

As evening falls, the dinner options are abundant, ranging from charming mom-and-pop restaurants in Midcity to iconic establishments in the Garden District and Uptown. And, of course, a leisurely stroll on the streetcar along Saint Charles Ave is a must for the complete experience!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’ve had great mentors in my journey. While there are many to name, my support group ranges from my closest friends, who hold me accountable for my actions, to several sobriety groups that have shown me a path of wisdom. My family deserves credit for keeping alive our Latin traditions. Additionally, many books, wife, kids, coworkers, and even strangers have planted seeds in this beautiful journey.

Website: https://cdhcafe.com/

Instagram: @cdh_coffee

Linkedin: Franklin Enrique Garcia

Other: Info@franklinenriquegarcia.com @quiquearch

Image Credits
@chrisjdalton @1993mvp Jordan @_drefilms