We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Hector Carvajal. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Hector below.
Hector, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
When you fully embrace yourself, your origins, and your background, you create a foundation of confidence and comfort in your identity. Truly understanding and accepting who you are allows you to walk through life authentically, proudly representing your culture. This self-acceptance is transformative—it empowers you to feel comfortable in your own skin and be at ease with who you are. That sense of comfort becomes a driving force, enabling you to feel good about yourself and excel in what you do.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
At Don Carvajal Café, we are a specialty Dominican coffee roasting company proudly based in Irvington, NY, with our roasting operations in Long Island City, Queens. Our mission is to elevate the global awareness of Dominican coffee, showcasing the incredible work of farmers from the finest regions of the Dominican Republic.
We believe Dominican coffee is extraordinary and deserves to be shared with the world. Our commitment goes beyond coffee—we aim to create equity for the farmers, ensuring their hard work is recognized and rewarded.
Our brand is built on three pillars: coffee, community, and culture. Coffee is at the heart of what we do, but it’s Dominican culture that inspires us, and our community that sustains us. From the beginning, our journey has been shaped by the people around us, and we remain dedicated to fostering connections and celebrating the culture that drives our passion.
At Don Carvajal Café, we don’t just make coffee—we build community and honor our roots.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, the three most impactful qualities on my journey were resilience, vision, and self-belief.
Resilience: Success requires the ability to keep pushing forward, even when challenges seem insurmountable. It’s about not giving up, no matter how many obstacles stand in your way. The journey is rarely smooth, but resilience allows you to keep going.
Vision: A clear and solid vision is your guide. It’s what keeps you focused and grounded, especially when things get tough. Knowing where you’re headed and what you’re striving for ensures you don’t lose sight of your goals.
Self-Belief: Believing in yourself is the fuel that powers everything else. Even with a strong vision, it’s your confidence in your abilities that helps you persevere. It’s what allows you to see opportunities where others see roadblocks and to keep moving forward even when others don’t yet understand your dreams.
For those early in their journey, my advice is to first take the time to define your vision—get specific about what success looks like to you. Then, actively work on building self-belief by celebrating small wins, learning from failures, and surrounding yourself with people who support and challenge you. Lastly, cultivate resilience by viewing setbacks as opportunities to grow, knowing that every step—no matter how hard—is bringing you closer to your goals.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
My parents made the courageous decision to leave behind everything they knew and migrate to the U.S. in pursuit of better opportunities for me—whether it was access to education, a brighter future, or a better quality of life. Thanks to their sacrifices, I was able to take advantage of the opportunities here, becoming the first in my family to attend college. Their determination and support laid the foundation for my success and shaped the person I am today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://doncarvajalcafe.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doncarvajalcafe
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DonCarvajalCafe
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/don-carvajal-caf%C3%A9
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
