Hector Castillo Carvajal is prepping artisanal coffee beans. 

It is a long process and a lot coffee, but he’s hell-bent on building his business with his own hands. 

What You Need To Know

  • Hector Castillo Carval is the founder and owner of Don Carvajal Cafe

  • At just 23 years-old, Carvajal wants to reach success in coffee industry

  • His coffee is sold at stores and supermarkets throughout New York City

He does a lot of the work in his former bedroom; However, he spends most of his time on the road. 

"Sometimes I drive literally from 9 to 5,” said Carvajal.

He travels from one store to the next to network and drop off the grinds he imports. Sometimes he does a double-take when he sees so much of his coffee has been picked up from the shelves. 

“It’s a good problem. I’m looking for the rest of the boxes. And it’s the last one left. They need more of that,” said the 23-year-old entrepreneur.

Carvajal came a long way from his University of Rochester days, where he started his business as a class project. 

“At the ending of the presentation, somebody raised their hand and said, ‘Can I buy a bag if these are real beans?’ And I said, ‘Yeah, sure, that'll be $17.95.’ He pulled out a $20 bill and I said, ‘I don't have change.’ He said ‘Just keep the $20,’” said Carvajal. 

At that very moment, Don Carvajal Cafe was born. 

“His name was Catalino, but his last name was Carvajal,” he said.

The name and logo are inspired by his late grandfather, who was a farmer in the Dominican Republic.

Carvajal thinks his grandfather would be proud of him. He thinks about that on his way to the public housing complex in the Bronx where he lives and dreams of a better future.

“In the coffee industry, we are going to make coffee black again. It’s not just about drinking coffee black. It’s also about owning part of the coffee industry. It's all about ownership and equity. Black and Brown bodies produce a ton of coffee," said Carvajal, as he sipped warm brew in between delivery stops.