Marta Alonzo, Texas Coffee School former student and owner of Sit & Sip with ME, has been working for someone else since 1986. That is, until she opened her own coffee business in 2023 in San Antonio, Texas.
“I’d rather work 100 hours for myself than 40 hours for somebody else,” Marta says.
Marta has always wanted to help others. She’s worked in nonprofits, the health department, and hospitals. But her emphasis has always been on building community.
Her parents were field migrant workers, and they didn’t have a lot of money growing up. But “regardless of what we ate around the table, we always had coffee,” she shares. That ever-present pot of coffee created a sense of warmth in their home and brought others in to visit. Because of the role coffee played in her childhood, she knew that one day, she might want to open a coffee business.
She attended Texas Coffee School’s 3-Day Coffee Business Master Class as the first step toward an idea she had brewing.
Here are three steps she took that brought her thriving business to life last year.
Three Ingredients for Marta’s Successful Coffee Business
A successful coffee business takes many factors, including a unique business concept, the right location, and a sound business plan.
The Right Location
When Marta began looking for a space to rent, she went through four commercial brokers and five real estate agents. “This vision of what I wanted, I was told, was a unicorn,” she says with a laugh. “It didn’t exist.”
She envisioned tall ceilings, big windows, natural light, and free parking. There was a spot that fit the bill, but the landlord wouldn’t let her lease it—he didn’t trust start-ups. Momentarily, Marta felt the rejection.
But she persevered until she found a building, of all places, on Craigslist. When she showed it to her husband, he already knew where it was. During his time as a musician in the 80s, he’d practiced there with his band. When Marta spoke to the owner, he told her the area needed a coffee house. And after some negotiation, the lease was signed! But it needed a lot of work—the place was gutted and got plumbing and electrical upgrades, inspections, and permits. One year later, Sit & Sip with ME opened.
The building is located across the street from Mission San José, which hosts 1.3 million visitors a year. It’s also on the World Heritage Trail, packed with bicyclists and walkers. Sit & Sip with ME welcomes customers from all across the world. It also gets a lot of word-of-mouth recommendations from loyal customers.
A Business Plan and Smart Finances
As early as 2020, Marta began working several jobs to lower her debt-to-income ratio and improve her credit. She knew she’d need to be in a strong financial position when it was time to quit her full-time work and start a business.
She also began looking for free resources and funding available in San Antonio. Her nonprofit background came in handy, as she tapped into her local network like this energy company for funding and small business support.
By the time she was looking for a location, she had a detailed business plan.
Now open, Sit & Sip with ME has a small menu with reasonable prices because Marta doesn’t want customers to feel intimidated. She educates customers on espresso drinks and helps them choose the right one. A house favorite is matcha with strawberry foam.
Photo credit: Sit & Sip with ME Instagram
A Community Mindset
“Coffee is just a little vessel. But when you put your hands around it, it’s warm and it’s full,” Marta explains when asked why she wanted to open a coffee shop. “It creates this sense of happiness, completeness, contentment.”
Sit & Sip with ME is designed to encourage conversation. It doesn’t offer Wi-Fi, but it welcomes a number of locals and tourists to enjoy delicious drinks and chat, read or take a break from exploring the city in a cozy coffee shop space.
“I stumbled upon this gem of a coffee shop and it has quickly become my favorite spot in town!” says DeAnna, a local guide on Google. “The cozy atmosphere, friendly staff, and exceptional coffee make every visit a delight. The owner clearly has a passion for both coffee and community, and it shines through in every detail. Whether you’re grabbing a quick cup on the go or settling in with a book or doing work, this place offers the perfect blend of warmth and quality. Highly recommend!”
Here are a few more rave reviews about Sit & Sip with ME:
“Favorite Coffee House, love coming here once a week at the least! The best Lattes, today I made my own combination of Butter Pecan Latte with Dulce de Leche Cold Foam! Thank you Sip & Sit for the best customer service. This is definitely my home away from home!”– Marissa
“I recently visited SipnSit and had an absolutely wonderful experience! The atmosphere was warm and inviting, with cozy seating and charming decor. The coffee was exceptional with a rich and smooth flavor. The owner, Marta Alonzo, is incredibly friendly and attentive, making me feel welcomed from the moment I walked in. I especially loved their selection of coffees. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a delightful coffee experience.” – Elis
“Excellent place! Best iced matcha we’ve ever tasted and the iced vanilla and hazelnut lattes were delicious as well. Miss Martha is so sweet. We will definitely be back next time we are in San Antonio!” – Ursula
Start Your Second Career as a Successful Coffee Business Owner at Texas Coffee School
We welcome a number of students who are burned out in their current jobs or ready to start a new endeavor by opening a coffee shop business. If that sounds like you, why not kick start your journey in our 3-Day Coffee Business Master Class?
In our course, Coffeepreneurs® like Marta learn how to open a coffee shop with no previous experience, from making a business plan to estimating start-up costs and more. It could be the beginning of your next life story.
As Marta puts it, “I hope that I’ve left a legacy for my kids and grandkids to say, “Hey, Grandma did it!’”
