Mo Maravilla Gives a Lesson on Being a POC Business Owner

We wanted to continuing highlighting our discussion on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. This week we talk with our good friend Mo and we get into it about Roasting, SE Asian Coffees, and being a Minority Business Owner.

Mo Maravilla is the owner and founder of Kindness and Mischief Coffee Roasters. Born in Manila, Philippines, Mo and her family moved to Los Angeles when she was 3 years old. After working in art departments, as a stagehand all over the city, and as an audio and visual engineer for live events, TV and radio, she realized that her actual passion was for people and fostering community. Her goal was to open a business that uplifts women and people of color, actively choosing people over profit - all while making the best damn drinks and having the best damn time. After a tumultuous 2 years of working to open and successfully completing a Kickstarter campaign, Mo opened K+M Coffee in Highland Park in 2016 as a multi-roaster specialty coffee shop. Then, seeing a lack of women coffee roasters - especially women of color coffee roasters - Mo started her roasting journey and has been releasing K+M's own coffee since 2018. Now 7 years into being a small business owner, Mo's main focuses are to continue elevating Filipino culture and flavors, empowering her team in their coffee journeys, carrying on her passion for fostering meaningful connections and community, and having a whole lotta' fun while she's at it.