Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Milton.
Hi Maria, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Rossana was born out of a love for hospitality, community, and the simple joy that comes from a really great cup of coffee.
My sister, Randi, and I have spent most of our careers in food and beverage. Between the two of us, we have decades of experience working in cafés, restaurants, breweries, and hospitality spaces. While we loved that work, we kept coming back to the idea that some of our favorite moments happened over coffee—the daily ritual, the conversations, the connections.
In 2023, we launched Rossana, a mobile espresso experience based in Arlington, Virginia. We converted a vintage truck into a fully electric coffee bar and set out to bring specialty coffee directly into neighborhoods, workplaces, parks, and community events. What started as a dream quickly became something much bigger than we imagined.
Today, Rossana serves thousands of customers throughout the DMV region at farmers markets, community gatherings, corporate events, weddings, and nonprofit fundraisers. Along the way, we’ve built relationships with local artists, libraries, schools, small businesses, and community organizations that share our belief that coffee can be a catalyst for connection.
At its heart, Rossana is about creating “little happy coffee routines”—those small moments in the day that bring comfort, joy, and a sense of belonging. Whether someone visits us every morning or discovers us for the first time at an event, we want them to leave feeling seen, welcomed, and a little happier than when they arrived.
What began as two sisters with a vintage truck and a lot of determination has grown into a thriving small business, but our mission remains the same: to create meaningful connections through exceptional coffee and hospitality.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road, but one of our greatest strengths has been our ability to pivot and adapt.
Operating a mobile business comes with unique challenges, and ours happens to be built inside a vintage truck. While we absolutely love the character and charm it brings to the business, it has required us to become expert problem-solvers. We’ve experienced mechanical issues along the way—which is to be expected with a vintage vehicle—and finding the right mechanics and skilled “fixers” who understand both older vehicles and custom systems took time.
Beyond the truck itself, we’ve learned to navigate everything from weather disruptions and event changes to the day-to-day realities of running a small business. As owners, we’re constantly wearing multiple hats—baristas, bakers, mechanics, marketers, accountants, and event coordinators.
Every challenge has taught us something valuable, and we’ve found that flexibility, creativity, and a willingness to learn are often more important than having a perfect plan. Looking back, many of the obstacles we’ve faced have ultimately made the business stronger and helped us build a network of incredible people who support Rossana along the way.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Rossana is a sister-owned mobile espresso experience serving the DMV region through farmers markets, community events, corporate gatherings, weddings, and private celebrations. At its core, Rossana is about creating “little happy coffee routines”—those small moments of joy, comfort, and connection that can transform an ordinary day.
What sets us apart is that we’re much more than a coffee truck. We’ve intentionally built Rossana to feel like a welcoming neighborhood café on wheels. From our vintage truck and thoughtfully designed spaces to our house-made syrups, seasonal menus, fresh pastries, and genuine hospitality, every detail is meant to create an experience that feels personal and memorable.
We’re also proud to operate from a vintage truck that has been converted to electric power, allowing us to serve events with less noise and environmental impact while preserving the character and charm that makes Rossana unique. The truck itself has become part of our story and something many customers recognize before they even see our menu.
While we take great pride in the quality of our coffee, what we’re most proud of is the community that has formed around Rossana. We’ve had the opportunity to partner with local artists, libraries, schools, nonprofits, and small businesses, and we’ve watched customers become regulars and regulars become friends. Those relationships are the heart of what we do.
We want readers to know that Rossana is built on hospitality first. Whether we’re serving a wedding for 200 guests, a corporate event, or someone stopping by for their morning latte at a farmers market, our goal is always the same: to make people feel welcomed, cared for, and connected. If we can make someone’s day a little brighter through exceptional coffee and genuine hospitality, we’ve done our job.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I was always creative, curious, and a little entrepreneurial. I loved making things, solving problems, and figuring out how things worked. Whether it was creating art, taking on projects, or helping bring people together, I’ve always enjoyed the process of turning an idea into something real.
I’ve also always been someone who enjoys building connections with people. Hospitality feels like a natural extension of who I am because I genuinely enjoy creating experiences that make others feel welcomed and included. Looking back, many of the things that drive me today—creativity, community, and a hands-on approach to learning—were present from a very young age.
I’ve always had a mix of artistic and practical interests. I earned a degree in photography, and today I still pursue creative work through my stained glass and vintage business. At the same time, I love problem-solving and am not afraid to roll up my sleeves and tackle challenges, whether that’s troubleshooting equipment, restoring furniture, or figuring out how to build something from scratch.
I think that combination of creativity, resourcefulness, and a genuine love of people has shaped both who I am and what Rossana has become.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rossanatoyou.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rossana_toyou/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Rossanatoyou/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-milton-rossana/
