A Year of Firsts

Thank you for everything.

One year ago, Mood Artisan Coffee was just an idea, a little spark of rebellion and hope I carried with me after walking away from my old life in finance. I didn’t know what would happen when I launched. I didn’t know if anyone would care about a coffee brand that only sourced from women producers, or if anyone would believe in the idea of coffee as a daily ritual of intention.

And then something incredible happened.

You took a chance on us.

This year has been full of firsts. Some big, some small, all unforgettable. Each one shaped Mood into what it is today. Looking back, I realize those “small” moments weren’t small at all. They were everything. And so are you.

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1. My First Order

I still remember continuously checking Shopify the day I launched. And then it happened: the first order. It wasn’t from a stranger, of course. It was from someone who knew me, someone who believed in me before I even had proof that this would work. My best friend. That first order was someone dear to me saying, “I believe in you". Thank you.

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2. The First Name I Didn’t Recognize

Eventually, another order came through. But this time, it wasn’t from a friend, family member, or anyone I knew. It was a name I didn’t recognize. I stared at it for a while, almost disbelieving. Someone out there found Mood, connected with it, and trusted me enough to spend their money on my coffee. That moment made me realize Mood wasn’t just for the people in my immediate circle, it could reach anyone. And perhaps my circle was expanding?

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3. The First 100 Orders

To be honest, I didn't clock in that I had reached 100 orders until Shopify sent me a "CONGRATS" message and it dawned on me that I had surpassed this milestone. So I took a small moment to celebrate and be thankful. This was a big deal!

To some, 100 might not sound like much, but in those early days, it was proof of traction. Proof that people were coming back, telling their friends, and that this wasn’t just a passion project. It was the beginning of a community.

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4. The First Five-Star Review

Reviews matter. They matter so much. They’re proof to new buyers that what a business claims about its products actually holds up. I’ll never forget reading the first five-star review. I think I re-read it a dozen times. It wasn’t just “good coffee.” It was someone describing how it made them feel, how it made their mornings better. Mood was becoming a part of people’s lives.

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5. The First Repeat Buyer

There’s a special kind of magic in repeat orders. The first one hit me hard: someone had finished their bag and wanted more. They didn’t just buy once to support me. They came back because they loved it. That moment meant more to me than I can put into words.

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6. The First Blog Comment

When I started the blog, I wasn’t sure if anyone would read it, let alone comment. Then one day a few lovely customers did. They didn’t just scroll past, they took the time to connect. Those comments reminded me that coffee is connection. And in that moment, I felt it.

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7. The First Sellout

Selling out of a coffee for the first time was surreal. I remember the mix of pride and panic. Pride that so many people loved it, and panic that I needed to restock fast. But more than anything, it was a sign: people cared deeply enough about Mood to clean me out.

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8. The First Time Demand Broke My Business

And then came the moment I didn’t see coming. The first time demand literally broke my business.

Too many orders, not enough inventory or hours in the day. Processes that weren’t built for that kind of growth. It all collapsed in real time. At first, I panicked (in case you haven't caught on, panic has been a common theme this year!). But then I realized something important: this was a good kind of breaking.

Since then, Mood has broken about five more times. Each time, I rebuilt. Faster, stronger, and better than before. I say that with so much pride and gratitude. Now I almost hope Mood keeps breaking, because it means we’re growing, stretching, and refusing to stay small.

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9. The First Customer Conversation

One of the first times I spoke directly to a customer, they told me how much they loved the idea of Mood being women-owned and women-sourced. It wasn’t just about the taste for them (although taste DOES matter!). It was about supporting something intentional, something that stood for more. That conversation has stuck with me ever since. It made me realize that people want connection, purpose, and meaning.

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10. Making it to One Year

One year ago I didn't know if I'd be here today. I had a lot of self-doubt. But I kept going. And here I am today, still going. Stronger, wiser, and more resilient than ever. I feel more energized. And I feel ready to tackle year two of all things Mood Artisan Coffee!

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Looking Back on a Year of Firsts

At the time, each of these milestones felt massive. Now, looking back, they almost seem small. But the truth is, they aren't small at all. They are everything. They’re the reason Mood Artisan Coffee is here today, a year later.

Every order, every review, every repeat customer, every sellout, every breaking point, every conversation. They built this. You built this.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for trusting Mood with your morning ritual. Thank you for believing in my business. Thank you for being part of this community we are building.

Mood Artisan Coffee wouldn’t be here without you. And I wouldn't either.

And because no celebration is complete without cake, I baked one to mark Mood’s first birthday: a mocha cake layered with espresso salted caramel buttercream, espresso shortbread crumbles, and mocha ganache. It’s outrageous, decadent, and infused with Mood coffees throughout. You can even bake it yourself. I shared the full recipe here.

Here’s to another year of firsts (and more cake).