Not too long ago in a small town in Holland lived a very nice couple with 2 sons and a daughter. They were very close and loved each other dearly. Their daughter grew up, and just when they thought life could not get any better their daughter married and a grandson was born into the family.
But then as fate would have it, this young mother became very ill and passed away.
They were all devastated. This young woman was only 29 years old. And her parents never thought that they would outlive their daughter. This was a tragic situation no one dared to even think of.
25 years later their pastor complimented the couple and asked them how they managed to continue and overcome their loss. Their reply was: we went out for coffee together every single day and shared stories about our beloved daughter and our family.
By sharing these (intimate) moments, the couple was able to give things a place in their heart. They recognized that life can be sweet and life can be bitter. When things are difficult you don’t avoid them, you talk them through. And when things are good you do not take them for granted, you embrace and celebrate them.
They learned that life goes on and you have to accept that. Always be grateful for the moments you have together.
This couple’s motto was: share your stories, celebrate life and be grateful for what it has given you. Preferably over a cup of coffee…
The reason this story is so dear to us, is because it is ours. One of the Cuppaz founders was married to the daughter of this caring couple. Where the couple sought solace in sharing moments over a cup of coffee, we at Cuppaz found inspiration for our brand and mission.
Motto:
Our vision is not just about warm beverages. It is about connecting people and sharing stories. Cuppaz wants to inspire you, ONE CUP AT A TIME.
From Cuppaz Founder
In 1959 João Alves de Lima started to sell green coffee beans in the city of São Miguel in Brazil. This was hard work but allowed him to support his family. He was selling just a few bags of coffee per month in those days and although he was not wealthy, his family was surviving in this agricultural region in the northeast of Brazil. In 1961 João Alves de Lima also started roasting and grinding the coffee.
In 1984 João Alves de Lima handed over his business to his sons Pedro, Paulo, and Vicente Lima. It became clear with this transfer that the sons were talented but even more surprising was the fact that their talents complemented each other perfectly. In those early days, Pedro was the strategic thinker and leader, whereas Paulo could hit the road and sell their products forcefully. Vicente was the negotiator and could drive a hard bargain with their suppliers. Together, the sons began a process of technological modernization and market expansion.
18 years later, with the combined talents, energy and passion of the brothers, the company had developed the number one coffee brand of the Northern States of Brazil. But 2005 a joint venture with 3corações led the way to market expansion to the most important state of Brazil: São Paulo.
10 years after that joint venture, today, the brothers own the number one leading coffee company in Brazil.
Motto:
" TALENT WINS GAMES, BUT TEAMWORK AND INTELLIGENCE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS. "
-- MICHAEL JORDAN
From Sandra
Roberto works as a guard & gardener in our small condominium, which is located in a tiny village called Cumbuco in the northeast of Brazil.
The first thing I noticed about Roberto was his friendly smile and positive attitude. He always worked in the garden with energy and enthusiasm.
The second thing I noticed about him is that in the 4 years we lived there, he never wore a proper pair of shoes. Roberto was always grateful for our second hand clothing and extra food, which helped him to support his wife and young son.
When we departed Brazil, Roberto invited our family to lunch. We went with some anxiety and worried that he would spend too much money to feed us. But this lunch turned out to be one of the most inspiring I’ve ever experienced.
You see, when we arrived we found Roberto’s simple house to be walking distance to the beach where he could fish and fetch coconuts. The coconut water he served was refreshing, nutritious, and thirst quenching. Roberto’s wife did not serve fish though. Our visit was special to them and so they served the one chicken that they had been raising for several weeks (unfortunately for the chicken!).
We sat in Roberto’s garden which was shaded by mango trees and our children spent the afternoon enjoying the simple task of extracting water from the well which Roberto used in his sinks and toilets since he did not have running water.
In my memory, their delicious meal of rice, beans, chicken, and fruit served with joy and friendship taught me something I would never forget: contentment comes from within and is not dependent on what belongings you have….and by the way…the less you have to lose, the more potential you have for finding this contentment.
Motto:
Finding contentment depends on finding yourself – not your belongings.
From Sandra
Our vision is not just about warm beverages. It is about connecting people and sharing stories. Cuppaz wants to inspire you, ONE CUP AT A TIME.
from Cuppaz Founder
" You have to be burning with an idea, or a problem, or a wrong that you want to right. If you're not passionate enough from the start, you'll never stick it out. " -- STEVE JOBS
from Sandra
" TALENT WINS GAMES, BUT TEAMWORK AND INTELLIGENCE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS. " -- MICHAEL JORDAN
from Sandra
Finding contentment depends on finding yourself – not your belongings.
from Sandra