Written by Evelyn Mytka, Contributing Writer
For Martha and Luis, starting Colombian Harvest Coffee and Food and La Casita was about more than opening a business. It was about building something meaningful in a new country.
Now based in Cochrane, Alberta, they have created a space that blends Colombian tradition with a strong sense of community. We sat down with them to talk about their journey, their challenges, and what keeps them going.
“We want people to feel like family, like guests in our home, and to have a memorable experience, not just a cup of coffee.”
Evelyn: Can you tell me a bit about your business and how it started?
Luis: Colombian Harvest Coffee and Food was created to bring the flavours and traditions of Colombian coffee to the community we now call home.
At the beginning, we had secured a location and were preparing to open a physical café, but those plans fell through. That moment forced us to rethink everything.
Instead of stopping, we pivoted and created La Casita as a mobile coffee shop. We started bringing our trailer to different locations around town, combining the scenery, the atmosphere, and our coffee to create a unique experience for people. Recently, we also opened inside The Common Works in Cochrane, which has allowed us to expand while still keeping the trailer.
Evelyn: What can someone expect when they visit La Casita?
Luis: We focus on organic drinks and specialty coffee. We serve everything from espresso-based drinks to iced beverages. We use medium roast Arabica beans from Colombia. We also make natural fruit drinks using real fruit, no syrups. We import fruit from Colombia to create tropical drinks like coconut lemonade and passion fruit lemonade.
Matha: More than anything, we want people to feel welcome. That is why we call it La Casita, which means “little house.” We want people to feel like family. We want them to feel like guests in our home and to have a memorable experience, not just a cup of coffee.
“Sometimes someone comes in having a bad day, and we can talk, share a moment, and help them feel better.”
Evelyn: What’s your favourite part about running this business?
Luis: We love connecting with people. Sometimes someone comes in having a bad day, and we can talk, share a moment, and help them feel better.
Coffee, the scenery, and that connection can help people relax and reset. We try to remember our customers and their preferences so we can make their day just a little better.
Evelyn: What have been some of the biggest challenges along the way?
Martha: The weather has been a big challenge. Since we started with a mobile coffee trailer, winter made it difficult to operate.
Luis: Because we are a seasonal business, we had to think about what to do during the colder months. That led us to find a more permanent space here at The Common Works while still keeping our mobile setup outside.
Starting from zero with a loan is also challenging. You have to figure everything out while making sure your business survives.
“Everything is different in Canada, the regulations, the processes, it was a big learning curve.”
Evelyn: As newcomers to Canada, was there anything that felt especially challenging when starting your business here?
Luis: Everything is different here compared to our home country, especially regulations and processes. It was a big learning curve.
Martha: We had to study, do research, and understand the culture and preferences of people here. But the community in Cochrane and organizations like Business Link Alberta have been very supportive, which made a big difference for us.
“Business Link really paid attention to what we needed and helped us improve step by step.”
Evelyn: What made you decide to connect with Business Link Alberta?
Luis: When we started, we built our own website and online store, but we did not have the expertise. We were not getting much traffic or sales.
Through Business Link Alberta, we attended webinars and got support to improve our website through the Digital Marketing Program. It was very easy and supportive. They worked around our schedule, gave us clear tasks, and followed up with us.
They really paid attention to what we needed and helped us improve step by step. After making changes, we started seeing more traffic and more sales.
“Start small if you need to, but do it with passion and focus.”
Evelyn: What advice would you give to someone who’s thinking about starting a business?
Martha: Start small if you need to, but do it with passion and focus. If you are committed to what you are doing, you can succeed.
Luis: Find someone who can guide you through the process. There is a lot of paperwork, regulations, and permits. Having support makes everything much smoother.
From a mobile coffee trailer to a growing presence in Cochrane, Martha and Luis have built more than a business. They have created a space where culture, community, and connection come together.
If you are starting or growing your own business, you do not have to figure it out on your own. Business Link Alberta is here to help you explore your next steps with free one-on-one support, practical resources, and guidance along the way. You can book a free meeting with a Business Strategist to get started.
Connect with Colombian Harvest Coffee and Food & La Casita:
Website: https://www.colombianharvestinc.ca/
Instagram: @lacasitacoffeecochrane
Facebook: La Casita Coffee Cochrane
