Coffee Community and Some Seriously Inspiring Women

This past weekend, I had one of those rare moments that makes you pause and realize, “Whoa... I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.”

We were invited to an event hosted by NAWBO IE (National Association of Women Business Owners, Inland Empire chapter), and let me tell you—it was a vibe. The venue? Julie’s Dream Winery. Yeah, it sounds magical, and it honestly was. Rolling vineyards, beautiful weather, and a crowd full of incredible people doing real things in the world. It felt like the universe dropped us right into the middle of something special.

Our mission there was simple: share samples of our Himalayan Blends coffee and connect with people. But it turned out to be so much more than that.

Let me rewind a sec. If you’re new here—hey—I’m Nitesh, founder of Himalayan Blends. We’re all about premium, high-altitude tea and coffee straight from the foothills of Nepal. Our coffee is single-origin, handpicked, and roasted in small batches. But the real story? It’s the women. Our coffee and tea are produced by single mothers in Nepal who are the heartbeat of everything we do. Every cup you drink supports them directly. No middlemen, no big corporations—just craft, heart, and purpose.

So, to walk into an event like NAWBO—an organization all about supporting women business owners—was already meaningful. But what hit different was seeing how many people there were genuinely rooting for each other. It wasn’t just networking—it felt like a family reunion for people who haven’t met yet.

It was also my first time working in person with Amy Graves, the President of NAWBO IE. Amy is kind of a legend. She runs a company called Hidden Consumers Consulting and has been helping me—completely pro bono—through the chaotic maze of marketing, branding, and PR. She’s been like a GPS for my business journey. Seeing her command the room, lead the event, and support everyone with so much energy and presence? Unreal. I left feeling so grateful that someone like her believes in what we’re building.

Now, let’s talk about the people we met. Because wow.

First, Tia Johnson—co-owner of Three Little Blue Byrds Boutique (check it out). Imagine walking into a shop that feels like the perfect mix of boho, artsy, and soul-soothing. They sell everything from candles to plants to handmade jewelry. But what makes it really cool is that it doesn’t feel like just a business—it feels like a vibe. Tia gets that every product carries energy, and she curates things that feel intentional. Talking to her about women-owned brands and how we can support each other felt like the kind of convo that stays with you.

Then we connected with Cristina Bailey, President of Signarama Temecula (link here). She’s the go-to for everything from business signs to custom graphics and vehicle wraps. Basically, if you’re trying to be seen, she’s your person. And what really struck me? She talked about visibility not as a flex but as a way to give clarity—how your brand shows up in the world, what it says without saying a word. Her passion made me think about how our coffee shows up, too—not just in flavor or packaging, but in the energy and story behind it.

These women didn’t just hand out advice. They shared. They listened. They encouraged. And in between all the coffee sipping and storytelling, I realized: this is what community feels like.

And let me say something real quick: as a founder, especially in the early days, there’s this pressure to always be talking—pitching, explaining, justifying your "why." But that day? I learned the value of just listening. The more I listened, the more I heard the real stuff. Stories about building from scratch. About balancing family and ambition. About failing and trying again.

Every single person I met had something they were passionate about, something they were fighting for. And in the middle of all that, it felt amazing to share a cup of coffee that wasn’t just brewed well—but brewed with purpose.

I kept thinking about the women on our farms back in Nepal. The ones who handpick every bean, roll every tea leaf. Most of them are single mothers. They’re raising kids, managing farms, and producing some of the rarest, cleanest tea and coffee in the world—all without shortcuts or chemicals. Just tradition, care, and resilience.

And here I was, in Southern California, standing in a vineyard, sharing their work with strangers who quickly became supporters. That’s when it hit me: we’re not just selling tea and coffee. We’re telling stories. We’re connecting people.

And somehow, this event wasn’t just about NAWBO recognizing women in business—it was about recognizing the deeper threads that tie us together. The shared values. The hustle. The impact.

So if you ever doubt that what you’re doing matters—or if it feels like you’re yelling into the void with your dreams—go to an event like this. Find your people. Or even better: let your people find you.

Our brand might be small right now. But the energy we felt that day? That was big.

To Amy, Tia, Cristina, and every woman (and man!) who showed up, cheered us on, and took a sip of Himalayan Blends: thank you. You didn’t just support a new brand—you reminded me why we do this.

And to anyone reading this who’s chasing something—keep showing up. Keep pouring your energy into something that matters. One sip, one story, one real connection at a time.