Meet Ellyza Dawn | Owner & Founder of Kaphé Muna

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ellyza Dawn and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ellyza, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My journey began with a passion for coffee and a love for serving others. Making coffee and drinks has always been something I enjoy, especially when sharing them with others. Over time, I realized this was something I wanted to pursue more seriously—I wanted to create a special space where people could connect over a great cup of coffee.

Starting my own business gave me the privilege of full creative control, allowing me to shape every aspect of the experience. The excitement of collaborating with passionate people, creating a unique space for connection and creativity, and giving back to my community continues to fuel my motivation.

A core goal has always been to create a space that feels inclusive and accessible. I believe coffee should be approachable, without any barriers that might make people feel hesitant about stepping into a coffee shop. Building a place where everyone feels welcome and can explore coffee at their own pace has been essential to me.

I truly believe in the power of small businesses to strengthen communities. Starting a coffee cart and hosting pop-up events allows me to contribute meaningfully to my neighborhood, from supporting local suppliers to hosting community events. It’s about more than just coffee—it’s about fostering connections.

What should our readers know about your business?
Kaphé Muna is a women-owned, Filipino-American, and Asian-American café dedicated to celebrating cultural heritage and fostering an inclusive community. Since our launch in August 2024, we’ve been on a mission to create a space where everyone feels at home with a great cup of coffee or pastry in hand. Inspired by the rich, vibrant flavors of the Philippines, our menu offers nostalgic favorites and unique blends that honor our heritage while embracing global influences.

I didn’t come from a traditional coffee background, and in many ways, that’s what makes Kaphé Muna unique. This journey has been about learning, experimenting, and translating my passion for coffee and serving others into a business. What truly sets us apart is our commitment to quality—sourcing high-quality ingredients and crafting our own sauces, syrups, and recipes in-house—as well as our focus on building meaningful connections with our customers. We love the process of carefully crafting and assembling each drink, treating each cup as an opportunity to create a memorable experience. As cheesy as it sounds, we pour a lot of love and thought into every drink! The same goes for our signature pastries, which we’re excited to introduce in the future.

While the journey hasn’t been without its challenges, each pop-up event and chance to serve has been rewarding, filled with learning and growth. Kaphé Muna is more than just a café; it’s a celebration of cultural roots, community, and inclusivity, and we’re excited to keep sharing our story.

One of my goals is to have a storefront in the future, but for now, I’m grateful for our humble cart and the joy it brings to our community.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
That’s a tough question! First and foremost, I’d start with some Mexican food down by the border or a classic In-N-Out meal—it’s a must! For a touristy spot, I’d recommend Seaport Village, which was my favorite place growing up. Since I’m also a graphic designer, I’d take them to the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego for some inspiring art.

For amazing Asian food and boba, Convoy is the go-to. North Park is also a must for its coffee spots and local eats. If we’re craving authentic Filipino food, I’d invite you over to try my mom’s cooking! But if that’s not an option, Jochi Resto Grill or Lisa’s Filipino Cuisine are my favorite choices.

And if you want to pick up some local beans, I’d suggest Heave Ho Coffee Co. Patrick and his team are some of the friendliest and most passionate roasters in all of Chula Vista.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost, I’m incredibly blessed and grateful for my family, who have been my biggest supporters from the very beginning. Without their faith in me and this business, none of this would have been possible. They’ve helped me build a strong foundation of belief and motivation, and for that, I’m truly thankful. A special shoutout to my dad, who helped me build out my coffee cart and always helping me with the heavy load; my mom, who instilled my passion for food; my sister, who inspired me to start this business; and my brother, who has been my barista sidekick.

I’m also grateful to my church family for providing the space and encouragement to embark on this journey.

To my friends who have supported me wholeheartedly since day one—thank you for being there every step of the way.

Website: https://www.kaphemuna.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/KAPHEMUNA

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kaphemuna/

Other: https://www.instagram.com/coffeewithellyza