Why Olympian Melissa Ortiz Started Kickoff Coffee Co.
A Passion for Coffee and Soccer
Some of Melissa Ortiz’s biggest successes have been accompanied by the smell of coffee. “We’ve always loved coffee,” the former professional soccer player said about her family. “My mom drank coffee all the time.” There was the coffee that helped her parents’ auto repair boutique business stand out in West Palm Beach, Florida. “My parents got to a point where you offer clients coffee, but you go to a regular dealer and you’re getting like this gross coffee,” she said. “So one of the things that they implemented into the business many, many years ago was actually offering not only good coffee, but cappuccinos or a latte or an espresso.”
From Soccer to Coffee
So in 2017, when the then-27-year-old closed the chapter on her pro soccer career and wasn’t sure what to do next, she went back to one of the places that smelled like coffee: her parents’ auto repair boutique. “I started working in marketing and accounting,” Ortiz said. “I enjoyed it. enjoyed working with my family for sure. I saw this tremendous potential of not only where the business is but where it could be, too — and the growth that it was going through. But as I sat down at the desk right after, you know, being at the Olympics and all this stuff, you’re kind of pondering who am I? What am I doing?”
The Birth of Kickoff Coffee Co.
Her brother came to her with an idea: “Why don’t we create a coffee brand around soccer?” That idea became the foundation of Kickoff Coffee Co, a coffee brand whose roasts have names inspired by soccer. Roasts like “The Playmaker” or “Matchday” are sold mostly through e-commerce but also available at select retailers around the country.
A Passion-Driven Business
“We posted it, and all these sales started coming in,” Ortiz said. “I was like, my gosh, this is amazing. You hear all these like [sales] notifications. I was like, wow, we’re really onto something. It’s not easy to be part of a family business either. And I know that just because of my parents and what they went through and, we go through it too. You’re not going to always agree on stuff. But at the end of the day, like you need to have the passion and be passion-driven about your product.”
Giving Back to Soccer
Through their bags, Kickoff Coffee Co. donates 10% of their coffee profits to foundations around the world that use football for opportunities for immigrants, for many things. “We’ve worked with foundations in many countries around the world, from Colombia to Nepal,” Ortiz said. “We know how much soccer has given to us in our lives, especially as first-generation Americans that, you know, soccer could really be used as a tool for so many different things.”
Conclusion
Melissa Ortiz’s journey from professional soccer player to coffee entrepreneur is a testament to the power of passion and innovation. By combining her love of coffee and soccer, she has created a business that not only brings people together but also gives back to the community.
FAQs
Q: What inspired you to start Kickoff Coffee Co.?
A: My brother came to me with an idea to create a coffee brand around soccer, which resonated with me because of my passion for both coffee and soccer.
Q: What sets Kickoff Coffee Co. apart from other coffee brands?
A: Our unique blend of soccer-inspired roasts and our commitment to giving back to the community through donations to soccer-related foundations.
Q: How do you balance your work as a business owner with your previous experience as a professional soccer player?
A: While I no longer play professionally, I still stay involved in the soccer community and use my platform to promote the sport and support causes that are important to me.
