MyCoffeeBox

MyCoffeeBox operates as a direct-to-consumer coffee subscription service with a strong social impact mission, connecting coffee enthusiasts with small-scale organic producers from Mexico. Founded in February 2013 by the husband-and-wife team Luis Miguel Coutiño and Berenice Ruiz, the company emerged from a Startup Weekend event in Chiapas. The venture was born from Ruiz's experience working with government institutions where she witnessed firsthand the commercial struggles of local coffee growers, particularly the challenges in getting their roasted products to market and competing with large corporations. This insight prompted Coutiño to devise a business model that bypasses the numerous intermediaries in the traditional coffee supply chain.

The core of the business is a monthly subscription club that delivers freshly roasted, high-altitude, certified organic, and fair-trade coffee directly to consumers' homes. This model generates revenue through recurring monthly or bi-monthly subscription fees, as well as single purchases and corporate office plans. By purchasing the final, packaged product from producers instead of raw beans, MyCoffeeBox enables them to earn two to three times more than they would through conventional channels. The service features a "surprise" element, sending subscribers a different coffee each month from its portfolio of over 14 varieties, complete with information about the producer and the coffee's origin. Customers can also request a specific coffee they prefer. The product is available as whole bean, ground to various specifications (fine, medium, coarse), or in compatible capsules.

The company's journey began when Coutiño and Ruiz left their jobs to dedicate themselves fully to the startup after receiving a $35,000 investment from the accelerator 500 Startups just a month and a half after launch. This early support was crucial for scaling the operation. Initially focused on producers in Chiapas, MyCoffeeBox has expanded its sourcing to include growers from Oaxaca, Veracruz, and Puebla. Beyond its primary e-commerce platform, the company has established physical points of sale in Chiapas and Monterrey, allowing customers to experience the coffee firsthand. The business serves a diverse clientele, from individual households across Mexico and internationally to offices, restaurants, and cafeterias.

Keywords: coffee subscription, organic coffee, direct trade coffee, fair trade, Mexican coffee, Chiapas coffee, social enterprise, e-commerce, specialty coffee, small-scale producers, direct-to-consumer, D2C, food subscription box, artisan coffee, single-origin coffee, Luis Miguel Coutiño, Berenice Ruiz, 500 Startups, sustainable agriculture, ethical sourcing, gourmet coffee, coffee delivery, online coffee store, social impact business