CELEBRATING WOMEN IN COFFEE

This International Women’s Day, we’re excited to feature Erika Rivas, the owner and operator of NicaCoffee, a coffee farm and producer that brings high-quality, sustainably grown Nicaraguan coffee directly to consumers. Erika and her husband both come from small towns in Nicaragua—Telpaneca and San Juan Del Rio Coco—where coffee farming is a way of life.

Her journey is not just about coffee—it is about perseverance, passion, and breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated industry.

For Erika, coffee is more than a business – it's a family legacy. Their family represents four generations of coffee farming, and as they look to the future, they anticipate their daughter carrying on as the fifth generation to foster the incredible tradition.

NicaCoffee has one main goal: provide roasters in the United States with the freshest coffee. They’ve achieved this by eliminating third-party brokers, that typically facilitate trade across the coffee industry, ensuring not only the freshest beans but also building direct relationships with roasting partners.

The coffee industry has long been male-dominated, and Erika has faced her fair share of challenges as a female entrepreneur. She has encountered many closed doors, but learned that persistence is key. “When one door closes, another eventually opens,” she says. There were moments when she wanted to give up, but the knowledge that three families are involved in the day-to-day operations of the farm and depend on this business keeps her going.

One of the biggest hurdles she's faced is the lack of recognition for women in coffee. “In this industry, people often acknowledge the male producers but forget about the women—the ones managing the farms, cooking for workers, handling the finances, and ensuring that everything runs smoothly.” Erika is determined to change that narrative, and through her efforts, is paving the way for great visibility, opportunity, and equality for women in the coffee industry.

For Erika, the journey of building NicaCoffee has been a family effort. “I don’t like to say my family is ‘behind me’—they are beside me. Their support is invaluable, and we work together as a team.” Each bag of NicaCoffee carries the name of a woman in her family, a tribute to the generations of strong women who have played a role in her success.

Erika’s dedication to quality ensures that each cup of NicaCoffee tells a story – one of resilience, tradition, and care. “I used to think that growing coffee was just about planting, harvesting, drying, and selling. But I’ve come to realize that roasting is an art in itself.” She has spent time developing her roasting techniques to enhance the natural flavors of Nicaraguan coffee. Specializing in medium roasts, she is eager to continue to learn and refine her craft.

Erika’s journey with NicaCoffee is defined by a deep commitment to quality and craftsmanship. As a small-batch producer, she embraces the hands-on nature of her business, ensuring that every step—from harvesting to roasting—is done with care and attention. Her dedication to maintaining the integrity of the coffee means working closely with her family and community to bring the best of Nicaragua to coffee lovers in the U.S.

This unwavering commitment is what drives NicaCoffee forward. Erika thrives on the challenge of producing exceptional coffee, constantly learning and refining the process. With each sale, she moves one step closer to her vision of growing NicaCoffee into a brand that not only shares the richness of Nicaraguan coffee but also creates opportunities for the people who make it all possible.

For Erika, International Women’s Day is every day. “As women, we wake up with responsibilities—not just to our businesses, but to our families and communities. There are days when I feel like giving up, but I remind myself: I am strong. If I give up, everyone who depends on me will suffer. So I keep pushing forward.”

Her words serve as a reminder of the resilience of female entrepreneurs across around the world. Their contributions often go unnoticed, but their impact is immeasurable.

To celebrate International Women’s Day, NicaCoffee is offering a special promotion: From March 8th through March 15th, any order of $100 or more will receive a bag of SOLID Coffee’s roast, sourced from NicaCoffee’s farm, for FREE!

This is more than just a promotion—it’s an opportunity to support a small woman-owned business and taste the dedication and hard work that goes into every bean.

With unwavering passion and determination, Erika continues to break barriers and redefine the role of women in coffee. She's proven that women belong in the coffee industry—not just as supporting players, but as leaders and innovators. This International Women’s Day, let’s celebrate determined women like Erika, who are breaking barriers and paving the way for future generations.

Join us in honoring women in coffee—one cup at a time. ☕