International Women's Day Interview: Herceny Del Cid

My name is Herceny Del Cid and I was born in Santa Rosa Guatemala. I immigrated to the USA at the age of 5 with my Mom and Dad. Left my brother and all my family behind. I had the privilege to experience two very different cultures and countries. It was very hard for my family and because of my experiences in both countries I realize I have access to two worlds, and want to bring them together through our coffee.

I experienced the disconnect in coffee as a consumer and as a producer because we are both. I am 6th generation coffee farmer and the first women to take over the coffee supply chain, making us the first Zero trade coffee.

Personal Journey

Can you share your journey into the coffee industry? What inspired you to pursue this path?

I was born into coffee farming. In Guatemala it is very common for the entire family to work our farms and harvest our coffee, from December-February. Even though we immigrated to the US, my family and I would fly back every December for coffee harvest.

It wasn't until I was a teenager that I started questioning why we had to immigrate and leave our country when we owned coffee farms. I started growing this curiosity and a bit of sadness whenever we would purchase coffee, asking myself is this our coffee?

As coffee farmers/producers we only sold our coffee cherries to a mill and never knew anything. I started questioning coffee shops (internally) and looking at the pictures they'd display of coffee farmers. Do they even know them?

When I was 17 I had a talk with my father about wanting to continue our coffee business in the USA, he said I had his full support and that he and my mother had provided the foundation and it was up to me and my siblings to build the house.

I graduated college and worked in sports marketing for many years. When I turned 28 I talked to my father at our coffee farms and told him, I'm ready. He said lets do it, whatever you need.

This was December. In March 2013 my father was diagnosed with terminal cancer. He passed away in July and it turned our world upside down. I was now the primary in our household with my brother only being 16. It took me 7 years to recover from that pain that still exists.

Because my protection is now gone, I decided to study every single part of the coffee chain. I became an expert, I can tell you about planting a coffee seed and the perfect roast profile. In 2023 we did our first export to the USA with only 1000lbs.

What achievements are you most proud of in your career?

I am most proud of doing it. Actually going through with it. I stepped into a world ruled by men, in a world where only married women were listened to, a world where ageism exists. A world where the coffee farmer is looked down on.

I am proud for sticking with it and that I kept going regardless how many nights I cried. I had a clear vision of taking over the coffee supply chain and selling and serving our very own coffee, and I didn't stop until I did it.

Before I started I talked to my two brothers and my mom and I told them that I felt unprotected after my father passed, and if they could provide that for me, emotionally. They have done just that.

So I also needed a support system, them and my dog Chuchito and that has helped a lot. I had to really believe in myself and my abilities and that's whats helped me keep going.

I am also proud that I stuck to my guns on only processing our coffee sun dried to protect our rivers and oceans. We only provide sun dried coffee. We are doing everything to protect our native plants, animals and rivers in the way we process our coffee.

Empowerment and Inspiration

What advice would you give to women aspiring to enter the coffee industry?

Follow your dream, be authentic and always support and acknowledge the coffee farmers. Coffee farmers are a huge part of this process and the reason why coffee is becoming scarce is because more farmers are starting to grow other crops that will pay them.

So please always make sure the farmers are being paid and that the land and nature around the coffee is protected. Please stop the washing process unless you are 100% sure the water is not going into our rivers and oceans. My family and I can no longer fish or go crabbing.

Please learn about the regions and what the farmers need. Coffee isn't just a thing, it is someone’s livelihood. That will give your company such great energy, and you will be successful because the love you put out will come right back in.

Is there a woman who has inspired you in your career, and how has her influence shaped your journey?

I looked and and searched for someone who was already doing what I wanted to do, and I couldn't find anyone. When I would mention it people would laugh at me, people in the coffee industry.

I wasn't aware I would be the first! I realized the woman who has inspired me the most is my mother. She is a warrior and shes the reason why I like business.

She started her business when she was 5, that was selling milk bottles from the cows she milked. When I was born her and my father had the coffee farms, a store and a bakery. On top of that, they became parents.

She is an inspiration and she has not stopped even after losing the love of her life to cancer.

Industry and Progress

How do you see the role of women evolving in the coffee industry?

I see it getting better with more women in the industry. I see the coffee industry becoming more inclusive and coffee farmers being acknowledged and best of all protecting our earth and our nature.

What progress do you think still needs to be made to create more opportunities for women in coffee? What steps can the coffee industry take to better support and empower women?

We need to stop ignoring that women are already a huge part of the coffee industry starting with coffee farmers. My mom and I are the owners of our farm and when we harvest its 90% women.

I don’t think anyone who drinks coffee right now, knows that. Once we start acknowledging that and giving credit where credit is due, more women will stop being cared to take the next step.

It was scary for me and I am glad I am making it look less scary for the next woman.

Celebrating International Women’s Day

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

It means the world to me, because I am an international woman myself and I grow and International crop.

I am international because I am from two beautiful countries and beautiful cultures. International Women’s Day to me means creativity, nature progress and love.

If you could share one message with women around the world today, what would it be?

Take care of your body and your mind first. Start the business, give it 100% and always give the same to your health.

I developed anemia and was hospitalized because I gave 100% and stopped taking care of myself. Your business cannot go on without you, so the same attention you give your business you must give to yourself.

I am still recovering and I hope this doesn't happen to anyone else I also wish someone had told me this.

Reflection

If you could give advice to your younger self, what would you say?

Study business in college and start the coffee company now! Don’t listen to the cookie cutter way of doing things. That‘’s not for you.

Start the coffee company now, and your father will get to enjoy it too.

What’s next for you in your journey, and how do you plan to continue making progress?

I hope to provide our coffee to everyone, business to business and business to consumer. I hope that more people keep connecting to our coffee.

Our customers can talk to us, the coffee farmers, they can come meet the plants that produce their coffee at our farms and they can come watch us roast their coffee. I hope our customer base grows.

My dream is to take a vacation with my family, since taking care of our farms, exporting, importing, roasting, packaging, selling, serving and distributing takes a lot of our time and energy. I am excited for more people to find out about us end they enjoy REAL specialty coffee directly from its farmers.

I hope my brothers, mother and I continue supporting each other with love and protection. I cant wait until we can enjoy a vacation together. And I hope my father is proud.