Meet Will Lowhoy | small business owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Will Lowhoy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Will, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?
The one thing I value the most is respect. Growing up in the Caribbean, respect was instilled in our household. It is important to me to be respected because if no one respects you, you might as well be no one.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
So the art of what I do is simple. I just believe in being passionate about what I set out to do and the rest just falls into place. The thing that sets me apart from others is my determination to keep pushing no matter how difficult it may seem at times. During COVID unfortunately, a lot of small businesses were going out of business and my business was one that was close to going under. I have a drive and determination that would not allow me quit or just lay down and accept what’s given to me. I never stopped chasing accounts and I always kept the faith that we will be ok. To get to where we are today has been challenging to say the least and I know anyone who has been on this journey with our Cafe family would agree. There were days we wondered what would happen if things didn’t improve. We have several walls in our shop that people come in and sign their name and sometimes leaves a heart warming messages. This wall is called the Sharlene wall. Shout out to Sharlene for giving me the idea to make our shop more personal with the signature wall. One day I felt like giving up and I looked at the walls and saw all of the people who believed in me and my dream when I had a vulnerable moment of doubt. A favorite statement of mine that I can say I live by is “If it was easy everyone would be doing it”.”Forward ever Backwards never”. One of the lessons I have learned is when doing something— do it with love and from the heart because the people you are serving would feel that love and energy poured into what you you have created. In the words of one of my mentors Carl Benfante “Everyone likes to feel special, give the janitor the same respect you give the CEO” are the words Instilled in me. I would like to be the poster child for the person that just doesn’t know how to give up. I love when people come into my shop and remind me of the journey they have been watching me go on from the opening day to present.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take them to a farmers market to experience the food and culture of the town. Farmers markets are the core of food and community. Another place would be at an art show where people are displaying their perspective or interpretation of the art work to the viewer. For a bite, I would take them to fusion restaurants to enjoy 2 or more ethnicity combined in one. I love frequenting other coffee houses and bakeries because fun fact about myself I do not drink alcohol.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to shout out my kids. Tia, Samantha, and Sophia. I would also like to give a special thanks to my partner Amanda Norkys Zorrilla for also believing in me when we started this journey together. I remember when my kids were growing up we would look for all different type of recipes to bake cookies and try new recipes and have fun doing it. I always wanted to open a bakery/coffee shop where one can come sit, enjoy the different scent of coffee beans being brewed and fresh bread and pastries being baked.

Website: https://venividivicicafe.com

Instagram: 3vcafe

Facebook: Veni Vidi Vici Cafe

Yelp: Veni Vidi Vici cafe

Other: [email protected]

Image Credits
photos by @zorrillaanabel on instagram