If last week was not enough of an affirmation that we are doing something right - the last 24 hours sealed the deal. I had the pleasure of speaking with a few folks, new members of the Unimatic family, that truly touched my heart and reminded me once again that we're not just in the business of coffee...
First, I got to touch base with a gentleman who ordered a Unimatic and one of each of our blends of coffee for his wife. He wanted to be sure it would arrive before Christmas and that he would be able to keep it a surprise - because, in his words "Momma Mia, she Googles everything!" - is that not the cutest?! He explained that both he and his wife are first generation Italian Americans and that their twin daughters (who are named after their grandmothers) are just getting into coffee. He saw our story on Frankie Cooks and not only thought that it would be the perfect gift for his dear wife, but also shared that he was so proud to support us and this business and to be a member of the Caffè Unimatic family. (When else does that happen?!) He was so candid and earnest in his support for us and excitement to sit around the table with his entire family and new Unimatic that I must say, I read each of the emails in our exchange multiple times because they made me smile from the core.
Next, we received a phone call from a man who found his parents' old Unimatic - read: a Unimatic that was sold back in the 1960s by someone that worked with my Dad! He found our site, printed directions for use, watched me on TEDx and wanted some of our very special coffee to go along with his little piece of family history. Our chat led us to realize that, although he is now based in Wisconsin, he lived in NY and knew the area of Brooklyn where I grew up quite well (as in specific streets and landmarks)! He was so excited to make his wife a very special breakfast on Christmas morning and even asked "if Italian pastries would go well with Brunetta coffee?" - again, so cute! Being able to use this heirloom from his own family seemed to mean the world, which I totally get. He might be the first person to truly understand exactly what I get to feel every morning...
We also received a message from someone across the world, who'd been inspired by one of our talks and literally used the words "you changed my life" - speechless doesn't even begin to describe... I'll leave it at that.
As we finish wrapping and sending out the last bunch of holiday packages of 2016, I can say for sure that this is much, much more than a business... The conversations we had were not just about a product or a thing, they were about something more... something human. Perhaps it's the opportunity to feel like part of something greater, part of our story, our family or part of an old or new tradition happening around tables all over the world. To all of you in the Unimatic family, past and present, we are so proud to spread this sort of positivity, even if it's just one cup at a time...