Our Story

Our Story

After years of working in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis, Nicole began to see how important it is to create spaces built on compassion, respect, and genuine connection. Those experiences inspired a dream to do things differently to build something that not only serves great coffee but also serves the community. Together Kevin and Nicole wanted to create a place that gives back in meaningful ways. Alongside opening a partner ABA company focused on assent-based care, we envisioned a space that fosters growth, belonging, and opportunity. Our coffee shop will provide real-world job skills for individuals in our ABA programs and beyond, helping them build confidence and independence in a supportive, inclusive environment.

Kevin has a passion for coffee after he lived in Costa Rica for two summers. One of those years was spent living on a family-owned coffee farm. There he was able to see the hard work of owning a farm and learn about true quality and delicious coffee beans. Kevin has been working from home for the past five years, and through that time, he realized how much he missed being part of a community. After many conversations (and cups of coffee), we both felt called to take a leap of faith to combine our passions and open a coffee shop that serves both great coffee and an even greater purpose.

The inside of our building might be a work in progress, but we already love its cozy charm and welcoming ambiance. Our vision is to create a space with a warm bar area and an adaptive, inclusive environment where everyone feels at home. We plan to host community clubs, game nights, and sensory-friendly evenings - offering a safe, joyful place for friends who may not always have the chance to go out and connect.

Follow along with our blog as we begin to make our goals come to life. Together we can brew something truly special.

Follow Along

January 2026:

To be continued

A man standing behind a pink coffee stand with a sign that reads 'Branchés Coffee Co.' outdoors. The stand has a menu, coffee-making equipment, and bottles of syrup or flavoring. Trees and tents are visible in the background.

December 2025:

December was all about focus and refinement. This month, we spent time honing our latte art skills, dialing in consistency, and putting extra attention into every cup we served. We have continued working on permitting for the brick and mortar location and are excited for the updates to come.

Behind the scenes, we also worked on perfecting our menu. Fine-tuning recipes and making sure each drink truly represents what we want to offer. At the market, we’ve started seeing familiar faces week after week, and we’ve really enjoyed the conversations and connections that come with becoming part of a routine.

As the year came to a close, we were reminded that growth doesn’t always mean big changes. Sometimes it’s about doing the small things better, every single day.

November 2025:

Two baristas standing behind a coffee counter smiling. The counter has coffee equipment, syrup bottles, and utensils. There are signs on the front and a small chalkboard sign asking, 'What's the opposite of coffee?'.
A person in a bright green Grinch costume with a Santa hat standing at a coffee shop counter, handing over an item to a customer.

November was all about practice and learning. We upgraded to a new espresso machine, bringing better consistency, smoother shots, and an even better cup of coffee. We practiced our marketing skills, making videos, and getting more comfortable in front of the camera.

We also started setting up at the Raleigh Flea Market every weekend, and we’ve loved meeting new faces and becoming part of the local market community. If you’re there on a Saturday or Sunday, come say hello.

One of the month’s highlights was participating in an event with the Shriners. We’re grateful for the opportunity to support such a meaningful organization and give back through what we do best.

A pink rolling work table with white trim and sides in a workshop, with tools and supplies on a workbench in the background.

October 2025:

A pink coffee cart with a logo for Branches Coffee Co., set up outdoors on a grassy area. The cart has a floral arrangement, several bottles of alcohol, and a blackboard sign with a question about hydrogen and the sun.
A young woman and man smiling behind a kitchen counter with whipped cream dispensers, syrups, and a sign that reads 'What happens to Nitrogen when the sun rises?'.

October was a huge month for us, it’s where this whole journey started.

After months of dreaming, planning, and talking about “one day,” Nicole’s dad rolled up his sleeves and built our coffee cart by hand. Every detail came together with a lot of love (and a lot of sawdust), and once it was finished, he drove it all the way down from Virginia to bring the dream to life. We did a practice run with friends in our home and felt like we were ready to get started.

After the cart was officially in town, the next step was navigating permits and paperwork. Once everything was approved, we were able to start preparing for our first events. We took classes, practiced our skills, and got to work with finding events.