I have a dream.........

Hello I am Juanita-Michelle.  Daytonian!  Born, raised and happy in Dayton, Ohio.  I am the wife of Robert Sanae (A.K.A Robert Jones), musician and leader of the Crater Creek Project.  I am the mother of Kenan, Kendell and Kayland.  Thanks to my husband I also have the opportunity to be a mother to Anthony, Renatta and Christopher.  I am also known as 'G' to four very special persons: Jaiden-KeAna, Ya'Niah, Naomi-Violet and Aden.  I share more about my family and friends throughout this journey.

I have had dreams of being a business owner all my life.  I have pursued many avenues over the past 30+ years.  Let's see, just to list a few:

• My mobile vegetable stand (I think I was about 10)
• Having a newspaper route
• Selling Avon, Mary Kay, Tupperware, and World Ventures
• Juan-Michele, The Boutique (closed in 6 months)
• JM Affairs (the most successful of them all and still produces an event time to time)

I have over the years had successes and many failures, they have truly built my muscle and have taught me many valuable lessons, but I have never let go of the dream of being a successful business owner.  That brings me to this blog, "From Beans to Cup". 

Several years ago my favorite little watering hole closed.  It was located on Salem Avenue.  The North River Coffeehouse became a regular stopping and meeting place for me.  It was quite, clean and safe.  Occasionally they would host a special event like spoken word or live entertainment.  It had rooms that could be reserved for meetings and the atmosphere was pretty cool.  I believe that our little coffeehouse had a run of about 5 years (that number could be a little off).  One day it was just closed. 

I missed my coffeehouse!

I live in the Northwest area of Dayton, my neighborhood actually is Harrison Township, but its all Dayton to me :-).  North River coffeehouse was the only coffeehouse on our side of town.  I was upset by its closing and nothing reappearing.  I thought of my favorite Columbus coffeehouse, Urban Spirit.  I admired the space and the owner, Charity is mad cool.  She gave me inspiration to open a similiar space in Dayton.  I began thinking where I could place my cool new coffeehouse. 

I focused my eyes on a house at the corner of Catapla and Hillcrest (it was a former dog groomer).  I even gave it a name, 'The Corner Coffeehouse'.  Cool right?  Until Dionne, a good friend and fellow coffee lover said that if she bought coffee from that house she'd just assume there was residue of dog hair in every sip.  LOL.  I changed my mind about The Corner Coffeehouse.  In fact I let that dream go to the side.

Fast forward three years (give or take one) to January 2013.  I knew that I needed to produce another revenue stream for my house hold.  I knew that I had to begin thinking legacy for my children and grands.  I thought that I would pursue what made my heart happy.  Let's see: food, fashion, coffee and crafts.  I decided to look back into opening my coffeehouse.  This was the beginning of the journey that will take me from the bean to serving you your best and favorite cup of coffee.  I pray that you enjoy this ride.  Destination: the opening of a new coffeehouse in Dayton, Ohio!