Today we’d like to introduce you to Nestor Ramirez.
Hi Nestor, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Néstor Ramírez. I’m a Colombian professional barista, international trainer, and founder of Mastery Coffee, a purpose-driven coffee trailer based in Tampa, Florida.
My journey began in the Colombian Navy, where I proudly served for 21 years. It was during my time in the military that I discovered coffee not just as a beverage, but as a powerful cultural symbol of connection, identity, and tradition. The discipline and leadership I developed there became the foundation of my second calling: the world of coffee.
After retiring, I felt God’s calling to use my gifts to impact lives through education, creativity, and hospitality. I became a certified barista and Trainer of Trainers with the International Bartenders Association (IBA), and taught barista and hospitality courses in Colombia, Ecuador, and Mexico. I also founded the Centro Internacional de Formación para Emprendedores (CIFEM), where I trained hundreds of young people in barista skills, bartending, and table service, helping many of them build careers with dignity.
As part of my educational journey, I authored two barista books — “Myths and Legends of Coffee” and “Molecular Coffee” — that continue to serve as guides for baristas.
In 2023, alongside my family and guided by faith, we launched Mastery Coffee in the United States. It wasn’t just about selling coffee — it was about serving with purpose: offering specialty Colombian coffee, educating the public, building community, and transforming coffee drinking into a conscious and cultural experience.
We import our coffee green and raw from Colombia, and roast it locally in Tampa to ensure maximum freshness and flavor. We also teach our clients how to taste coffee without adding sugar, helping them appreciate its natural fruity acidity, smooth mouthfeel, and that pleasant cocoa and nutty bitterness that keeps you coming back.
Today, Mastery Coffee is also a place of nourishment and community — we proudly serve breakfast, brunch, and lunch for those looking to start their day with intention, flavor, and faith. We’ve been invited to represent Colombian coffee at official events hosted by the Ambassador and Consul of Colombia in Orlando, and continue to grow with our eyes set on God and the positive impact we’re called to make.
My mission goes beyond coffee. It’s about serving others, training future leaders, and planting seeds of excellence and faith in everyone we meet.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The journey has not been easy. Behind every achievement there have been silent battles, moments of uncertainty, and decisions made with nothing but faith.
One of the biggest challenges was starting from scratch in a new country, with no contacts, no clients, and limited English fluency. Although I had a solid reputation in Colombia, Ecuador, and Mexico, arriving in the U.S. meant I had to prove myself all over again, adapt to a new market, a different culture, and an unfamiliar system.
Another major challenge was launching a business without immediate access to financial resources. As a family, we poured everything we had—our time, energy, and savings—into building the coffee trailer, creating the brand, legalizing the business, and finding ways to introduce ourselves to a city where no one knew who Néstor Ramírez was.
Educating a new audience on the value of Colombian specialty coffee was also a challenge. Many were used to commercial coffee loaded with sugar, and we had to do real educational work to help people understand the difference—how to taste coffee, recognize its balance, and be surprised by its smoothness and complexity.
But perhaps the most personal challenge has been staying true to our Christian identity in an environment that often prioritizes trends over values. For us, every cup of coffee is an opportunity to serve, to bless, and to leave a mark with values we never compromise: integrity, excellence, and purpose.
Looking back, I can say every challenge helped me grow. None of it was in vain—and if I had to start over again, I would do it with the same faith.
As you know, we’re big fans of Mastery Coffee. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Mastery Coffee is more than just a coffee trailer — it’s a sensory, educational, and spiritual experience. We are dedicated to serving Colombian specialty coffee, freshly roasted, and to educating people on how to truly appreciate coffee from its origin to the cup.
We import our coffee green and raw directly from Colombia, which allows us to roast it locally in Tampa and guarantee freshness, quality, and traceability. Our clients learn to enjoy coffee without sugar, discovering natural flavor notes like fruity acidity, cocoa, nuts, or caramel. Seeing someone completely transform their relationship with coffee after a guided tasting is one of our greatest joys.
We specialize in three main areas:
Mobile coffee service through our trailer for private, corporate, and cultural events.
Barista training: from introductory courses to professional-level instruction.
Food menu that includes breakfast, brunch, and lunch, crafted with fresh ingredients designed to complement the coffee experience.
What sets us apart is that everything we do is driven by a higher purpose. We don’t just serve coffee — we serve with values. Our foundation is faith, excellence, and the desire to leave a meaningful impact. Our trailer isn’t just a business; it’s a place of connection, stories, and community.
We are proud of every person we serve, but especially of those moments where our coffee becomes part of something greater — a heartfelt conversation, a diplomatic event like the ones we’ve been honored to attend with the Ambassador and Consul of Colombia in Orlando, or simply a morning when someone found peace in the chaos through a warm cup and a kind word.
Mastery Coffee is not just a brand. It’s a mission. And we want every reader to know that behind every cup, there’s a message: excellence, identity, and purpose.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that true success is not measured in numbers, but in fulfilled purpose.
Throughout my journey, I’ve come to understand that when you work from the heart — with strong values and a mission greater than money — doors begin to open. But they don’t open on their own: they open with hard work, consistency, prayer, and faith.
I’ve also learned that the greatest asset an entrepreneur has isn’t money, social media, or a beautiful location — it’s the ability to serve with excellence. When you serve with love, people feel it — and that’s what they remember.
Lastly, I’ve learned that big dreams require humility to start small, and courage to keep going when everything feels like it’s against you. My Christian faith has been my anchor, and God has been my main business partner at every step of the way.
Today I can say with certainty: coffee has been the tool, but serving others has always been the purpose.
Pricing:
- Espresso / Americano: starting $3.50
- Lattes and special drinks: starting $5.00
- Breakfast, brunch and lunch: starting $8.00- $12.00
- Barista training courses (in person): starting at $190 per basic module
- Private events with full coffee bar service: starting at $500 per service (depending on number of guests and duration)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://g.co/kgs/J2dpfra
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masterycoffee.tampa
