Today we’d like to introduce you to Rita & David Travieso.
Hi Rita & David, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I think our story started long before we ever imagined owning a business, before we were even together.
In many ways, it began decades ago, when our grandmothers each gave us our very first sip of coffee as kids. That early introduction to coffee stayed with us, and years later, it became part of the story we were creating together.
Our first date was over coffee, and coffee continued to be a constant throughout our relationship. For the next 20 years, coffee dates became a tradition; a simple way to slow down, connect, and enjoy time together.
Eventually, the idea for our business grew naturally from that shared love of coffee and, even more so, from what coffee represents to us: connection. Coffee has a wonderful way of bringing people together, creating conversation, and making people feel welcome.
We realized we didn’t want to create just one place for people to gather. We wanted to bring great-quality coffee wherever people were already gathering—to their events, celebrations, workplaces, communities, and special moments.
So, our business was born from something that had been part of our story all along: a love of coffee, a love of people, and a belief that some of life’s best moments happen when we come together over a cup of coffee.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I think our biggest challenge has been finding where we fit. Our business model doesn’t fit neatly into one category or check any of the traditional boxes. We’re a mobile setup, but we’re not a food truck, and that distinction has made navigating licensing and regulations a little challenging.
At the same time, we see that challenge as an opportunity. We believe we’re helping pave the way for businesses like ours to grow and thrive in Virginia. As we navigate this new space, we hope to make the path a little clearer for the mobile coffee businesses and other unique concepts that come after us.
And then, of course, there’s the challenge of balancing it all with our family life—which, if we’re being honest, has been a little bumpy at times! David works full-time, while I’m a stay-at-home mom to two of our children, whom we homeschool. So, alongside building a business, we’re also navigating parenting, homeschooling, work schedules, family responsibilities, and all the everyday chaos that comes with life.
There isn’t always a perfect balance, and some days definitely feel like we’re just figuring it out as we go. But in many ways, that’s also what makes this journey so meaningful. We’re building this business together while raising our family, and we’re grateful that our children get to see firsthand what it looks like to dream, work hard, adapt, and build something from the ground up.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
We are a mobile coffee business bringing high-quality coffee and a unique coffeehouse experience directly to people wherever they gather. Rather than operating from a traditional storefront or food truck, we bring our coffee bar to weddings, private celebrations, corporate events, community gatherings, and everything in between.
We specialize in creating a full-service, elevated coffee experience that feels personal and intentional. We want our setup to be more than simply a place to grab a cup of coffee—we want it to become part of the experience. There’s something special about gathering around coffee, and we love creating those moments for people.
What we’re most proud of is that we’ve built this business around something we genuinely love and have shared for decades. Coffee has always been a meaningful part of our own story, and we’ve been able to turn that passion into something that brings people together.
What sets us apart is the combination of quality, mobility, and connection. We’re not just showing up with coffee; we’re bringing an experience. We care about the details—from the quality of what we serve to the way we interact with guests and fit into each event. We want people to remember not only that they had great coffee, but that they felt welcomed, connected, and cared for.
Ultimately, we think what makes us different is that this business is deeply personal to us. We’re a husband-and-wife team building something together, and that heart behind what we do is something we hope our customers and guests can feel.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Canva has been incredibly helpful throughout this entire process. From developing our brand identity and creating the visual elements of our business to designing social media posts, flyers, and promotional materials, it has been an invaluable tool for us. It has allowed us to create a cohesive, professional brand while doing much of the work ourselves.
One podcast that has been especially helpful is *The Mobile Business Podcast*. The creators have firsthand experience owning and operating a mobile espresso bar, so hearing about their experiences, challenges, and lessons learned has given us practical insight that has been incredibly valuable as we navigate building our own business.
I’m also currently reading *The Art of Small Business Social Media*, and it has been a great resource for learning more about branding, content creation, and social media marketing. It’s helped us think more intentionally about how we present our business and connect with our audience.
And, of course, YouTube and TikTok have been an unexpected wealth of knowledge. There is truly a tutorial for almost everything! Whether we’re learning latte art, researching different coffee roasters, figuring out equipment, or even learning how to set up the plumbing on our coffee cart, we’ve been able to find people willing to share their knowledge and experience.
We’ve learned that building a business often means being willing to learn as you go, and we’re incredibly grateful for the people and resources that have made that learning process a little easier.
Pricing:
- Based on time of service starting at 2hours
- Based on guest count
- Ability to add other beverages
- Ability to add personalizations to cart & cups
- Ability to setup brand activations
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cobblestonestreetscoffee.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/cobblestonestreetscoffee
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/cobblestonestreetscoffee
