Meet Nicole Still

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nicole Still. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nicole below.

Nicole, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

There was a season in our life when everything felt like it was unraveling. Ministry had been our heartbeat for years, serving at a retreat center, pouring into missionaries, youth camps, and ministers who needed a chance to regroup and sit and be still before the Lord, with their family. But after loss, betrayal, heartbreak, and being forced to walk away from the ministry we called home, we found ourselves grieving with nothing but a cart, a dream, and a whole lot of unanswered questions. I heard a pastor recently say “Where your hurt is, there your calling is.” Being burned in ministry, we knew we not only needed to get to the other side, but our story needed to bring God glory and encourage other believers and ministry families.

We opened Island Espresso, not fully knowing what God was doing, just knowing we had to keep moving forward. We parked it on the island where we had once welcomed ministry guests, now offering caffeine to the tired and weary. The first day we opened the window and handed out a cup of coffee, we saw something we didn’t expect: hope. It came in the form of sleepy moms, overworked dads, and excited tourists, and locals going non-stop in busy season. And oddly enough, it felt like ministry.

One morning, we were outside the coffee cart, praying over the needs of a customer. That was the moment it clicked.

The coffee wasn’t just coffee, it was a bridge. A space to breathe. A reason to pause. Every espresso shot we pulled, every cup we handed out, became an invitation into partnership with someone’s day. We began to see Island Espresso not as a detour, but a divine assignment.

So we dreamed bigger!

We are opening storefront. A huge space with room for the whole community. We are starting a podcast. We wrote down the vision for having land one day and a sabbatical ministry for those who pour out for others, but rarely get poured into. And we decided, no matter how big the business got, we wouldn’t lose focus on the purpose; Kingdom Family.

Now, when people ask, “How did you find your purpose?” we smile, because the truth is, we didn’t.

God led us here, one step and cup at a time.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

We’re so excited to share what’s brewing lately!

What started as a little coffee trailer on a Florida island has turned into something way bigger than us. We’re officially opening the doors to our very first brick-and-mortar shop on St. George Island! This space has been a dream in the making. Tropical vibes, signature lattes, a cozy kids’ corner, and a heart for community. We want it to be a place where locals and visitors can slow down and reconnect.

What makes Island Espresso so special to us is that it’s not just about coffee. It’s about ministry and mission. After spending years serving full-time in church and retreat ministry, we’ve felt called to create a space that refreshes families in ministry: physically, emotionally, and spiritually. That’s why we’re also launching Caffeinated Calling, our brand-new podcast that blends faith, family, and entrepreneurship. We’ll be sharing our story, encouraging other Kingdom families!

Over on Instagram (@stillfamily), you’ll find a mix of behind-the-scenes, Island Espresso updates, coastal living, and real-life family moments.

This next chapter is full of big leaps and lots of prayer, but we truly believe this is just the beginning of something amazing! Whether you’re grabbing a latte at the window, tuning into the podcast, or following our journey online-thank you!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

1. Resilience (aka grit & grace):

Starting something from scratch, especially after heartbreak, is messy. There were days we felt like giving up, days we had no idea what we were doing, but God kept showing up so we just kept showing up, too.

Advice: You build resilience by doing it anyway, even when it’s uncomfortable, uncertain, or slower than you’d like. Stay rooted in your “why,” and let hard seasons refine you, not define you.

2. Willingness to Learn:

We didn’t know how to run a business when we started. We Googled, watched YouTube videos, asked questions, and made so many mistakes. But every setback taught us something.

Advice: Stay teachable. You don’t need to have it all figured out. Be willing to look silly, take feedback, and grow in public. That’s where the magic (and breakthrough) happens.

3. Vision-Driven Creativity:

We’ve learned that if you want to build something that lasts, it has to come from a clear vision. For us, that meant designing everything ourselves. When your heart is aligned with your brand, people feel it.

Advice: Take time to define your mission. Write it out. Ask God to show you the bigger picture. Then don’t let small set backs discourage you from the greater calling.

To anyone just starting out: keep your hands open, your heart soft, and your eyes fixed on what matters most. God wastes nothing. Every detour, delay, and disappointment can become part of the story, if you let Him write it.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

If I get overwhelmed, I start with prayer and scripture and a change of environment. Then I like to brain dump. I’ll grab a notebook or my Notes app and get everything out of my head and onto paper. When life feels too full, sometimes it’s not that we’re doing too much, it’s just all tangled up. Writing it down helps me sort and prioritize.

Advice?

Don’t do overwhelm alone. Call your spouse, your best friend, or someone who can speak truth over you.
Let something go. You can’t do everything every day. Ask: what can wait until tomorrow?
Build in rhythms of rest, before burnout. Sabbath isn’t a suggestion; it’s crucial!

And finally, remind yourself: you were called to this, not to do it perfectly, but to walk it out with God’s strength, not your own. When I try to carry it all, or take my eyes off of Him I start to feel like I’m drowning. But when I give it back to Him, I find peace again.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.coffeeandcalling.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stillfamily
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/stillfamily