Melissa Ortiz’s Journey from Professional Soccer to Coffee Entrepreneurship
From Soccer to Coffee
Melissa Ortiz’s biggest successes have been accompanied by the smell of coffee. Her family has always loved coffee, and her parents’ auto repair boutique business in West Palm Beach, Florida, even offered good coffee to their clients. Ortiz, a former professional soccer player, has managed to carve out a career in sports broadcasting, analyzing MLS and NWSL games on TNT Sports and covering World Cups for Fox Sports.
The Idea for Kickoff Coffee Co
During the pandemic, Ortiz started having a desire to build something of her own, a business. Her brother came to her with an idea: "Why don’t we create a coffee brand around soccer?" The idea stuck, and Kickoff Coffee Co was born. The coffee brand’s roasts have names inspired by soccer, such as "The Playmaker" or "Matchday," and are sold mostly through e-commerce and available at select retailers around the country.
The Connection Between Coffee and Soccer
Ortiz saw a connection between coffee and soccer: "If you’re a soccer fan and you watch a lot of soccer, people get up at 4 or 5 in the morning to catch some matches. You could watch soccer, well, so many days of the week, one, because there’s so many leagues in the world. But if you watch the weekend games, they’re usually in the morning hours. So you’re thinking 6, 7, 8 a.m., so coffee is already part of that experience of watching an early morning soccer game."
The Reception of Kickoff Coffee Co
The reception to Kickoff Coffee Co was overwhelming: "We posted it, and all these sales started coming in. I was like, my gosh, this is amazing. You hear all these like [sales] notifications. I was like, wow, we’re really onto something."
Giving Back to Soccer
A big part of Kickoff Coffee Co’s DNA is giving back to soccer. The company donates 10% of its coffee profits to foundations around the world that use football for opportunities for immigrants, for many things. Ortiz believes that soccer has given her so much in her life, especially as a first-generation American, and wants to use her business to give back to the community.
Conclusion
Melissa Ortiz’s journey from professional soccer to coffee entrepreneurship is a testament to her passion and drive. From her early days playing soccer to her current role as a sports broadcaster and coffee entrepreneur, Ortiz has always been driven by her love for the game and her desire to make a difference.
FAQs
Q: What inspired you to start Kickoff Coffee Co?
A: My brother came to me with the idea of creating a coffee brand around soccer, and it stuck.
Q: What connection did you see between coffee and soccer?
A: I saw that coffee is already part of the experience of watching early morning soccer games, and I wanted to create a brand that associated and connected the two passions and cultures.
Q: How does Kickoff Coffee Co give back to soccer?
A: We donate 10% of our coffee profits to foundations around the world that use football for opportunities for immigrants, for many things.
Q: What’s next for Kickoff Coffee Co?
A: We’re looking to expand our reach and availability, and to continue giving back to the soccer community through our donations and partnerships.
