Brewing dreams: The journey of a young cafe stall owner and content creator | ABS-CBN
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Brewing dreams: The journey of a young cafe stall owner and content creator
Brewing dreams: The journey of a young cafe stall owner and content creator
ABS-CBN News Digital Intern,
Kyla Olano
Published Mar 16, 2025 01:10 PM PHT
MANILA — In the heart of the bustling city, where the aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingles with the sounds of laughter and chatter, there's a small coffee stall that embodies the spirit of a new generation.
MANILA — In the heart of the bustling city, where the aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingles with the sounds of laughter and chatter, there's a small coffee stall that embodies the spirit of a new generation.
Owned by two ambitious young entrepreneurs, this cozy haven is more than just a place to grab your morning caffeine fix. It’s a hub for creativity, inspiration, and community engagement.
Owned by two ambitious young entrepreneurs, this cozy haven is more than just a place to grab your morning caffeine fix. It’s a hub for creativity, inspiration, and community engagement.
Meet Mon and Kiko, who turned their passion for coffee into a thriving business while also pursuing their dreams as content creators in a world where social media influences every aspect of life and where dreams often collide with reality.
Meet Mon and Kiko, who turned their passion for coffee into a thriving business while also pursuing their dreams as content creators in a world where social media influences every aspect of life and where dreams often collide with reality.
Mon Ivan Mendoza also known as “Mon” stands as a testament to the power of creativity, perseverance, and the relentless pursuit of passion. As a 23-year-old entrepreneur with his own coffee shop stall, traveling around and inspiring others online.
Mon Ivan Mendoza also known as “Mon” stands as a testament to the power of creativity, perseverance, and the relentless pursuit of passion. As a 23-year-old entrepreneur with his own coffee shop stall, traveling around and inspiring others online.
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“Sa tuwing tinananong ako sino at anong inspirasyon ko sa ginagawa ko or sa pagiging business owner, palagi kong sinasabi Family ko. Sila po talaga ang inspirasyon ko mula noon hanggang ngayon, sila yung dahilan bakit nag sisikap ako, ay bakit nag tayo ako ng business,” Mon, who has more than 700,000 followers on TikTok, said via email.
“Sa tuwing tinananong ako sino at anong inspirasyon ko sa ginagawa ko or sa pagiging business owner, palagi kong sinasabi Family ko. Sila po talaga ang inspirasyon ko mula noon hanggang ngayon, sila yung dahilan bakit nag sisikap ako, ay bakit nag tayo ako ng business,” Mon, who has more than 700,000 followers on TikTok, said via email.
(Whenever I'm asked who or what my inspiration is in what I do or in being a business owner, I always say my family. They are really my inspiration from then until now, they are the reason why I strive, and why I started a business.)
(Whenever I'm asked who or what my inspiration is in what I do or in being a business owner, I always say my family. They are really my inspiration from then until now, they are the reason why I strive, and why I started a business.)
Mon decided to travel and blend his love for coffee with his knack for storytelling and digital content. His journey serves as a vivid illustration of how Gen Z is breaking the mold, redefining entrepreneurship, and leaving a personal mark on their ventures.
Mon decided to travel and blend his love for coffee with his knack for storytelling and digital content. His journey serves as a vivid illustration of how Gen Z is breaking the mold, redefining entrepreneurship, and leaving a personal mark on their ventures.
“Ang tanging motibasyon ko lang sa araw araw ay kailangan kong kumita ng pera para umayos yung buhay ng pamilya ko, kasi gaya ng lagi kong sinasabi gusto kong maiparanas sa pamilya ko yung mga hindi namin naranasan noon, gaya na lamang ng magkaroon ng sariling bahay, kotse, maraming pera, at iba pa. Wala pako sa puntong yun kaya ayun lagi kong ginagawa motibasyon,” Mon said.
“Ang tanging motibasyon ko lang sa araw araw ay kailangan kong kumita ng pera para umayos yung buhay ng pamilya ko, kasi gaya ng lagi kong sinasabi gusto kong maiparanas sa pamilya ko yung mga hindi namin naranasan noon, gaya na lamang ng magkaroon ng sariling bahay, kotse, maraming pera, at iba pa. Wala pako sa puntong yun kaya ayun lagi kong ginagawa motibasyon,” Mon said.
(My only motivation every day is that I need to earn money to improve my family's life, because as I always say, I want my family to experience what we didn't have before, like having our own house, car, a lot of money, and so on. I'm not at that point yet, so that's why I always use it as motivation.)
(My only motivation every day is that I need to earn money to improve my family's life, because as I always say, I want my family to experience what we didn't have before, like having our own house, car, a lot of money, and so on. I'm not at that point yet, so that's why I always use it as motivation.)
Mon’s unique brand identity is powered by creativity. Each week, he introduces himself with “Ako si Mon, Tamad ako pero may pangarap ako (I am Mon. I am lazy but I have a dream)”.
Mon’s unique brand identity is powered by creativity. Each week, he introduces himself with “Ako si Mon, Tamad ako pero may pangarap ako (I am Mon. I am lazy but I have a dream)”.
Despite the phrase, his love for his dream and his family is what really keeps him going.
Despite the phrase, his love for his dream and his family is what really keeps him going.
“At first, sabi ko kay mama, 'Ma, delete ko na yung video ko 'no? Nakakahiya' pero sabi naman ni mama, 'wag na, kasi ayos lang naman',” Mon said.
(At first, I told my mom, "Mom, should I delete my video? It's embarrassing" but my mom said it was fine)
He then set his phone and recorded himself talking about his everyday life, with that video eventually getting 50,000 views .
“[A]fter nung unang video ko sinundan sundan ko na until makakuha ako ng mga brand deals, na-invite ako sa mga events, na-interview sa national TV, higit sa lahat may mga nagpapa-picture na sakin na followers,” Mon said.
(I kept making more until I got brand deals, invitations to events, interviews on national TV, and most importantly, followers asking to take pictures with me.)
Family still plays an integral role in Mon’s life and business philosophy, he says, adding his family inspires him to do things he didn't think he could, like put up a business.
Ultimately, Mon’s story is more than just about a coffee shop. It symbolizes the fusion of traditional business charm and new-age digital savvy.
Customers were not just interested in the product, they were buying into Mon’s story.
The coffee shop has evolved into more than just a place to grab a cup; it’s a space for creativity and collaboration. Gen Z is known for its entrepreneurial spirit, seeking opportunities to collaborate on projects that amplify their voices.
Another content creator, Kiko.Matthew has tapped into this trend, creating a space where content creators come out to explore their passions.
“[I was] a photographer before the pandemic happened. Events were scarce then I was forced to find another job," he said, adding he was eventually hired by a coffee chain.
"I got in, enjoyed my stay there and grew my passion about coffee. Ironically, I don’t drink coffee a lot but I love the way of creating coffee, that’s where I came up with an idea to build a small pop-up coffee shop when I resigned,” Kiko said via email.
He began producing engaging content—behind-the-scenes videos, and even tutorials on how to brew the perfect cup at home. The ability to pivot quickly not only kept his business afloat but also garnered them a loyal online following.
“My main problem was the place where my shop is located, it has no foot traffic. Thanks to social media it helped me get a lot of 'dayo' customers,” Kiko said.
Social media plays a pivotal role in this new coffee culture. The visually appealing nature of coffee allows for stunning content that is perfect for platforms like Tiktok.
From aesthetically pleasing shots of colorful beverages to short, cleverly edited videos that highlight the brewing process, these young entrepreneurs are masters at creating shareable moments.
This approach not only drives traffic to the cafe but also builds a community of like-minded individuals who inspire and uplift one another. At the heart of this entrepreneurial endeavor is a commitment to authenticity.
“My motivation everyday is to make my life, my family’s life comfortable,” Kiko said.
By leveraging platforms like TikTok, Kiko has turned his small coffee shop into a hub for engagement, showcasing everything from the artistry of latte art to behind-the-scenes videos.
“To all aspiring [and current] business owners if things don’t work your way, that’s okay. Just enjoy the journey and keep moving forward,” Kiko said.
Watch on TikTok
In a world dominated by fast trends and fleeting interactions, Mon and Kiko show that authenticity is key. Their approach combines passion, creativity, and community-building, inspiring others in the Gen Z space to pursue their dreams, whether in coffee or any other field.
As they brew their way into the future, one cup at a time, they remind us all that with a sprinkle of imagination and entrepreneurial spirit, anything is possible.
“At first, sabi ko kay mama, 'Ma, delete ko na yung video ko 'no? Nakakahiya' pero sabi naman ni mama, 'wag na, kasi ayos lang naman',” Mon said.
(At first, I told my mom, "Mom, should I delete my video? It's embarrassing" but my mom said it was fine)
He then set his phone and recorded himself talking about his everyday life, with that video eventually getting 50,000 views .
“[A]fter nung unang video ko sinundan sundan ko na until makakuha ako ng mga brand deals, na-invite ako sa mga events, na-interview sa national TV, higit sa lahat may mga nagpapa-picture na sakin na followers,” Mon said.
(I kept making more until I got brand deals, invitations to events, interviews on national TV, and most importantly, followers asking to take pictures with me.)
Family still plays an integral role in Mon’s life and business philosophy, he says, adding his family inspires him to do things he didn't think he could, like put up a business.
Ultimately, Mon’s story is more than just about a coffee shop. It symbolizes the fusion of traditional business charm and new-age digital savvy.
Customers were not just interested in the product, they were buying into Mon’s story.
The coffee shop has evolved into more than just a place to grab a cup; it’s a space for creativity and collaboration. Gen Z is known for its entrepreneurial spirit, seeking opportunities to collaborate on projects that amplify their voices.
Another content creator, Kiko.Matthew has tapped into this trend, creating a space where content creators come out to explore their passions.
“[I was] a photographer before the pandemic happened. Events were scarce then I was forced to find another job," he said, adding he was eventually hired by a coffee chain.
"I got in, enjoyed my stay there and grew my passion about coffee. Ironically, I don’t drink coffee a lot but I love the way of creating coffee, that’s where I came up with an idea to build a small pop-up coffee shop when I resigned,” Kiko said via email.
He began producing engaging content—behind-the-scenes videos, and even tutorials on how to brew the perfect cup at home. The ability to pivot quickly not only kept his business afloat but also garnered them a loyal online following.
“My main problem was the place where my shop is located, it has no foot traffic. Thanks to social media it helped me get a lot of 'dayo' customers,” Kiko said.
Social media plays a pivotal role in this new coffee culture. The visually appealing nature of coffee allows for stunning content that is perfect for platforms like Tiktok.
From aesthetically pleasing shots of colorful beverages to short, cleverly edited videos that highlight the brewing process, these young entrepreneurs are masters at creating shareable moments.
This approach not only drives traffic to the cafe but also builds a community of like-minded individuals who inspire and uplift one another. At the heart of this entrepreneurial endeavor is a commitment to authenticity.
“My motivation everyday is to make my life, my family’s life comfortable,” Kiko said.
By leveraging platforms like TikTok, Kiko has turned his small coffee shop into a hub for engagement, showcasing everything from the artistry of latte art to behind-the-scenes videos.
“To all aspiring [and current] business owners if things don’t work your way, that’s okay. Just enjoy the journey and keep moving forward,” Kiko said.
Watch on TikTokIn a world dominated by fast trends and fleeting interactions, Mon and Kiko show that authenticity is key. Their approach combines passion, creativity, and community-building, inspiring others in the Gen Z space to pursue their dreams, whether in coffee or any other field.
As they brew their way into the future, one cup at a time, they remind us all that with a sprinkle of imagination and entrepreneurial spirit, anything is possible.
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