A plucky couple have launched a coffee business in Wandsworth, despite the setbacks of the pandemic.
The idea for Café de Vida was born when co-founders and partners, Theodora and Diego, ventured to the land of coffee, Colombia.
They hoped to find a way to bring sustainable and excellent quality coffee to customers in London.
On return, the pair excitedly planned the company's launch, but the announcement of the UK’s first national lockdown threw a spanner into the mix.
Few were prepared to open businesses in a time of uncertainty, redundancy and isolation.
After a great deal of determination and passion Café De Vida was incorporated, two months after the first lockdown finished, in May 2020.
Since, it’s been a rollercoaster ride, with each month presenting new challenges.
At the beginning travel, importation restrictions and closed borders made it near impossible to source the premium coffee first sampled in Colombia.
“Although the journey could have been smoother, lockdown taught us a lot and, in the end, benefited the Café De Vida product range,” said Theodora.
Delays meant the original August launch date was pushed back and the business was adapted for the web, with branded gift-sets, filters and coffee spoons available for purchase.
“Every setback made the team even more determined to succeed and throughout the launch process there were many proud moments. None more than when three months after the original launch date the first bags of branded Café De Vida Premium Colombian Coffee arrived in the UK!” she added.
Opening just one week before London was thrown into Tier 4, the couple thought they had put the challenges of 2020 behind them.
But with the arrival of 2021, and a third national lockdown, the pair hope community spirit will see them through.
“At Cafe De Vida we are committed to making sure you still have access to a little luxury at home, and so we will continue to be delivering your coffee throughout this lockdown.”
“There may be additional challenges and restrictions on postal services times, but we will do whatever it takes to guarantee we get you your Premium Colombian Coffee,” said Theodora.
You can find out more at www.cafedevidaltd.com or via Instagram at www.instagram.com/cafedevida.ltd
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