In Episode 14, the final episode of the season, Joe and Celia reflect on their podcasting journey, discussing the challenges and breakthroughs they've encountered. They delve into the purpose of their community-centered business model and the ecosystem they've developed around South LA Cafe. They share their vision for supporting local businesses and nonprofits, and emphasize the importance of community involvement and collaboration. The episode encapsulates their commitment to fighting social inequity and fostering a sustainable future for their community. Join them as they wrap up the season with gratitude and a hopeful outlook for what's to come.
In Episode 13 of In The Mix Podcast, Joe and Celia dive deep into the complex topic of gentrification in South Central Los Angeles. They discuss the importance of understanding the history and culture of the neighborhood and the negative impact of being a 'great white hope.' They also emphasize the dangers of calling the police on neighbors and the need to honor the community's black and brown power. Join the conversation as they explore how new residents can integrate respectfully and supportively into a historically rich community. They also share plans for future episodes covering varied topics with diverse guests.
Beyond the Cup: Community, Success, and Struggle | In The Mix Podcast Episode 12 In this episode of 'In The Mix,' Joe and Celia Wallace share their remarkable journey of opening and expanding South LA Cafe. They navigate challenges, celebrate successes, and discuss how they’ve grown from their first location to soon opening their fourth. The episode dives into the strategies, sacrifices, and innovative business models they've employed to make an impact in their community while aiming for sustainability and generational wealth. Join them as they also announce exciting upcoming projects and reflect on their mission to overcome systemic barriers through sheer determination and community focus.
The SLAC Standard of Excellence: Elevating Customer Service and Community Engagement In Episode 11 of In the Mix Podcast, join us as we delve into the unparalleled customer service standards at South LA Cafe. Celia and Joe discuss the importance of providing a 10 out of 10 experience for every customer. From using volunteers effectively to fostering a welcoming atmosphere and ensuring high-quality products, they reveal the intentionality behind their successful community-driven business. Get insights into their training methods, quality control, and how they strive for excellence while prioritizing the community at the heart of their operations. Whether you’re a customer or a small business owner, this episode offers valuable lessons on creating a memorable and impactful service experience.
In Episode 10, Joe and Celia discuss the origins and achievements of the South LA Cafe Academy. They recount the initial challenges of opening their cafe and the consequent delays, which led to the creation of their first cohort of employees from the South Central community, many of whom had no prior experience. Featuring stories of key team members like Lenisa Williams, Juan Carlos Mancato, and Tim Brady, the episode highlights how the Academy has focused on hiring locally, providing living wages, and creating progressive career pathways. Emphasizing the values of training, development, and mentorship, it shares the cafe's vision of restoring sovereignty and empowerment in their community. The journey reveals the significant impact of their community-centered business model and how it has transformed lives, including their own.
In Episode 9 of the In the Mix Podcast, we dive into part two of our discussion on access and equity, focusing on how our company goes beyond just selling coffee to create significant social impact. Discover our intentional mission to foster community connection, hear how we use our coffee business to engage and activate community members, and learn why it's crucial to be more than a profit-driven enterprise. This episode highlights our approach to social impact entrepreneurship, community-centered business models, and the importance of aligning business practices with community needs. We share our journey with coffee roasting, our partnership with like-minded companies, and innovative ways other businesses can follow suit. Tune in for inspirational stories and strategies on making a real difference while doing good business.
Nourishing Communities: Bridging the Food Gap in Urban Deserts | In The Mix Podcast Episode 8
Welcome to Episode 8 of In The Mix Podcast, where we dive deep into the critical issue of food justice. Join us as we explore disparities in food access, particularly in marginalized communities, and discuss the systemic challenges that lead to food deserts. We share our experiences from being featured on The Ellen Show and the impressive community work we've been involved in, including grocery giveaways during COVID-19. Learn about the inequities that exist and how community-driven efforts are tackling these issues head-on. This episode also highlights the importance of collaboration, community involvement, and the impact of mission-driven businesses in creating access to healthy, affordable food. If you're passionate about social impact, entrepreneurship, and food equity, this episode is a must-listen!
Grinding, Community, and Cultural Reverence: Insights from South LA Cafe
This episode of the 'In the Mix' podcast, featuring hosts Joe and Celia from South LA Cafe, dives into the themes of personal motivation and community engagement through their cafe. They discuss the influence of motivational speaker Eric Thomas on their grind mentality, the restorative power of cold plunges, and the critical role their cafe plays in countering gentrification and promoting cultural reverence in South Central Los Angeles. Through the story of acquiring a Nipsey Hussle mural, they highlight the importance of community and cultural representation. The conversation also touches upon the impact of Nipsey Hussle, strategies to preserve community culture against gentrification, and the significance of creating a safe and resonant space for the community. The discussion concludes with plans to delve deeper into the areas of food justice and equity in upcoming episodes.
Pivot and Build: Surviving a Crisis with Community Support | In The Mix Podcast Episode 6
This episode explores the journey of a community-focused cafe and market in South LA, detailing their struggles and victories in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially thriving with events and a strong connection with their local community, the arrival of the pandemic forced the owners to pivot their business model rapidly. They highlight their early preparation for COVID-19, the decision to focus on a mission-driven business model, and their efforts to stay open and serve the community amidst lockdowns. Key pivots include launching a mobile ordering app, initiating a crowdfunding campaign, and creating a community-supported grocery giveaway program to combat food deserts. Their innovative response included converting the cafe into a community center offering essential services like COVID-19 testing and vaccinations. The episode emphasizes the importance of building a strong relationship with the community, leveraging technology and social media for business resilience, and maintaining a spirit of innovation and flexibility.
The Birth of South LA Cafe: A Journey of Purpose | In The Mix Podcast Episode 5 In the fifth episode of their series, the creators of South LA Cafe take us on their journey from conceptualizing their business to its grand opening. They share their authentic experiences from the stressful aspects of opening a coffee shop to their reliance on faith and community support. This installment gives listeners a deeper insight into their dedication to community building, cultural relevance, and filling a void in the marketplace. It culminates in the euphoric moment of their grand launch day and their reflections on the unique, mission-driven business they manifested.
From Trials to Triumph | In The Mix Podcast Episode 4
In this podcast episode, Joe and Celia, the owners of South LA Cafe, share their journey in the course of over 25 years that led to them opening the now successful cafe. They reflect on their different and numerous professional experiences, and their risk-taking, learning, and pivot during the real estate market crash and recession. All of these added key skills to their life toolkits which now contribute to the running and success of their cafe. Moreover, they highlight the importance of accepting and learning from every moment in life to fuel living your purpose and eventually reaching your destination.
In this edition of our podcast, we expand on Celia's upbringing and the path that led her to the South LA Cafe ecosystem. Growing up in the midst of activism and social justice with parents who were community organizers, Celia shares her experiences with embracing intersectionality at an early age, leading walkouts against the Gulf War in junior high and navigating life as a 'welcomed guest' in the South Central black and brown community. Her story is one of embracing and fighting for justice, from her formative years to helping run the South LA Cafe.
In this candid and engaging episode, co-founders of South LA Cafe, Celia and Joe Ward-Wallace, explore Joe's experiences of growing up in South Central LA. Reflecting on his resilient mother, his upbringing that included getting bus-ed out to a different school, Joe highlights the importance of persevering through life's unforeseen challenges. Celia and Joe also dive into pertinence of their cafe being a love offering to a community that's seen significant change. This uplifting conversation serves to remind us of the power of resilience, community, and seeing the good in life and in people.
In this inaugural podcast episode, Joe and Celia share their personal love story that spans over 26 years. From their first encounter at a basketball refereeing event, through their dating phase and into their marriage, the couple reminiscence about their early days, share anecdotal tales and pivotal life events they journeyed through together. This episode reveals their initial attraction, ongoing commitment, and the role honesty and vulnerability played in shaping and strengthening their relationship. This heartwarming episode is intended to introduce listeners to the couple and set the stage for future episodes involving deeper talks on relationships, family, parenting, and their life journey together.
