Meet Alex Malo | Amalo Brew Coffee Owner & Operator

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

Hi Alex, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
A few of My Business motivators that I consider in the decision process for a new Idea are:

The Product or Solution.
The Emotional Motivation
The Economic Motivation
The End Goal, what Do I want to achieve and How to get there.

In the coffee shop-kiosk was very simple, I put a collection of thoughts and needs in a mental blender, the result… this Business Idea was born; what were they?

I really like coffee and We had recently moved to the where We live, We tried the different options available nearby and my wife and I weren’t satisfied, the main reason, there was no Organic Coffee and I knew I could deliver a better quality product for a lower Price.

The Most important, My Life priorities had changed drastically,

In December of 2013 I had a Motorcycle accident that left me unable to properly walk and function,
By January of 2015 I had 2 daughters under the age of 2 and was tired of commuting 6 days a week to my other Business and not being able to be that close to them and spend time during the day.

Right there my New End Goal was born, Walk to Work.

I had applied to multiple places for a Job, multiple, and was not considered, with every No I received I tried harder, then I realized that the answer was right in front of me, if no one was going to give me an opportunity and hire me, I knew that there was always someone that will take me in immediately, no questions asked… and that Was Me. I could hire myself on the Spot… and I did….

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Amalo Brew Coffee is the 3rd Business of the Amalo Name born out of wanting to share our way of seeing and experiencing life and providing a Solution for a Need. Therefore the Service Provider.
We ask ourselves how or what will I like to feel or experience when visiting us.
The Involvement in the Community, Caring, Understanding, Listening, Non Judging of our Customers paired with dedication to high quality and affordable prices makes us a part of their daily routine.
I’m excited about opening up and sharing and receiving the positive vibes and advice.
It has not been easy finding a balance between making money and making a difference but an open mind and an always searching attitude helps lead the way.
I have learned to choose my battles and stay focused in the main goal and essence of the business.
We’ve learned that if we lose one or two or three battles, there are still positive things, because we are trying, learning and accepting that the decisions we took were not the right ones so we don’t take them again.
We want our customers and supporters to remember us Down the road of Life as a positive thought.
Life is a journey, when you set up a goal as an entrepreneur and you achieve it, you win in various ways, money wise, acquiring knowledge, what you learned in the process and the person you have become as a result of your actions and goals.
The greatest source of unhappiness comes from within, it doesn’t matter if we are the best or the worst entrepreneurs, if we are not happy from within, the greatest achievements are going to be meaningless.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
In a week there is so much to do.
We can start by having a Coffee or Loose Leaf Tea outside of the Coronado Public Library @ amalo brew coffee that brews Coffee beans From Talitha in Barrio Logan and admiring the awesome Murals from Ramos Martinez inside and the Historical Building.
Walking around the Island, cruise by the Hotel Del Coronado is a must, walk down Orange Ave. and stopping in almost all of the Businesses to say Hi and make my Friend experience the Community feel and introduce them to all the great people that work and live here.
Micheladas @ Night and Day Cafe by Cassandra (I hope that’s how she spells her name) She is a Master Michelada Mixologist
Pizza @ High Tide, grab a 6 pack of IPA’s and tell Lynne that they are for my wife, then brag about the amount of hours worked in the week with Tom. (he always beats me).
Keep walking and admiring the great town, the trees, the parks and Thank Mr. John D. Spreckels for some of the nicest buildings.
Stop by for late breakfast or light lunch with the great working people at Crown City Bistro…I see you …. You see me.
keep walking or ridding the golf cart, stop by the bay, walk under the Bridge, around the golf course, enjoy the day.
Dinner time on the island, it gets lively like the great Rosemary’s Trattoria, love their beet salad, calamari, pasta. pizza.. Chef Alex is a lifesaver….. 🙂 or on the other end of town The Tavern with pork belly tostadas or their Brussel sprouts, but be careful I can never seem to not get stuck at the bar with the awesome mixologists who are always ready to tackle the fanciest of drinks.
If you want a more laid back ambiance then Coronado Brewing Company will be the one, great flatbread, Tacos and obviously BEER. Tim rocks.
And Yes you always end the night @ Little Club a fine establishment where Caine will treat you right,

You can Rinse and Repeat this same strategy for a few days.. But then ….

OTB (over the bridge) Breakfast Chilaquiles and 3 leches @ El Achiote in San Ysidro you will thank me,
Make a stop at Fish Guts in Barrio Logan where the Tacos and Micheladas are one of the finest and carefully curated by Chef Pablo, you either like Him or Not, I have done both. Then keep walking around the Barrio, stop at Chicano Park under the Bridge admire the paintings and Murals on the columns and if there is an Aztec Dance, stay and enjoy.
Take them to the almighty Costco Business Center to admire my weekly playground, then grab one of the best Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai. Yummy.
Head over to UTC for some window shopping, eating, drinking…. Chef Paulo in Lucrezia, knows what he’s doing. Then all the way to Sunset Cliffs to admire the View at Dusk and end up @ OB Noodle House, great food, screwball shots, multiple beers. then walk around ….
Have a Fancy Dinner @Trust, food cooked over an open Flame and great Drinks.

In a Cultural and Architectural ambiance Balboa Park, Beautiful, The San Diego Public Library, great architecture, Mission San Diego de Alcala.
Head to La Valencia Hotel to feel like a Million Bucks, just relax and enjoy the views and Great Service, Ivanna H. aka the Boss. will make sure you enjoy.
There is always also the Adventure of going to Tijuana, Eat Tacos at El Frank with my friend El Ligas,(famous guy) or Caesar Salad at Cesar’s TJ, also try the Victor’s Salad, or if you want a fancy Cocktail and Dinner Stop @ Faustine by Chef Javier C. he’s a great guy, fancy Bigote and Hat. there’s a ton of Bars and restaurants that you will enjoy, if you need recommendations let me know…. But before coming back to the USA stop by the Crypts of San Francisco de Asis or la Catedral de Guadalupe and visit Family and Friends, Always honor the Departed. Just like in the movies Coco or Book of Life.
if you are not tired after all this touring, we can always take the ferry from Coronado to Convention Center and walk north and in about 30 minutes you get to the other Ferry terminal that will take you back to the Island…
I am always looking to meet new people and visit new places so I’m sure there will always be something to do…

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Without any doubt or hesitation my heart and credit goes out to my Wife and Daughters who are the Force, Inspiration, Love, Motivation, Joy and Reason to keep me going. Without them I would be lost in a different world.
To the Best advice given to me by my Cousin CMB, Father AAM and Father in Law JMH, it was very inspiring and guiding, all 3 of them said this great phrase “Get Your Shit Together”
Obviously to the Higher Powers that make our Life Possible.
To all the Loved ones who are No Longer here and still guide Us…
To the great book The Alchemist, inspiring-guiding.
To all my Customers that keep the Business alive and the Community members and organizations that support me and who I have been able to happily serve.
And Yes why not, to all the people who didn’t believe, because they were a strong motivation to keep going.

Instagram: @amalobrew

Facebook: Amalo Brew Coffee

Image Credits
My Wife and Myself