Meet the owner of Sirens Java & Tea, listen to her personal story and how her dream of opening a coffee shop came to fruition.
After she retired from the Los Angeles Sheriffs Department Yolanda Regalado wanted to fulfill a long time dream of hers to open an upscale coffee shop. Since then she has awed us all with her latest entrepreneurial endeavors and is continuing to grow within the community as we speak. She was also the recipient of the 2018 Women of Distinction Award for the 70th District. Join us as we talk about her story and the love that went into building the community hub of Sirens Java & Tea.
Yolanda on growing up in San Pedro":
"Growing up in Pedro was great! ... There were some parts that you didn't go, and you knew that but you felt so comfortable... and everyone knew you, everyone's family knew you. You just felt safe and comfortable here. I did."Sirens has really become a community gathering place and impressed many of its customers, so much so that 7th street is becoming a point of interest for other local entrepreneurs and residents. She tells us about the challenges she faced in opening Sirens for the first time, from the renovations of the old building interior, to the red tape of the city. She credits her husband and local city officials for believing in her dream and getting her to the finish line.
She explains the meaning behind the name "Sirens". Her dad being a fisherman would share stories of the sirens, in Spanish they're called "sirenas" (mermaids), and that story had always left an impression with her. She also liked the idea that having been a deputy sheriff and her brothers being Fire Firefighters. they also answered the call of the sirens. She called her coffee shop "Sirens" both in memory of her dad and her brother who have both passed away.
Yolanda on her hope for Sirens:
"All I want to do with Sirens coffee is bring you back to basics, have a good cup of coffee, have a conversation. We don't have TVs in here, if you noticed, because we want people to interact. We have artists here, we have dignitaries here, you don't even know who you're sitting next to! Have a conversation, and you'll learn a world of experience from people."She tells us heartwarming stories of the customers she meets at Sirens and she feels incredibly blessed that her business was received so well by the community.
Sirens Announcement:
Their old location on 7th street in the old News Pilot building will be officially closed by the time this episode airs and they will reopen at their new location just up the block in early 2019. I will do my best to keep you posted on all updates, including their grand re-opening and any pop-up shops they may have in the mean time.
LINKS:
Siren's Java & Tea
https://www.instagram.com/sirensjavateahouse/?hl=en
Summer Update 2023
107: Marine Mammal Care Center w/ Dave Bader
E106: White Point Nature Preserve w/Zoe Allen and Dave Pilon
E105: Local Children’s Book Author Jennifer Suzara-Cheng
E104: Taper Robotics Team w/ Enzo Molinari & Alex Parker
E103: Boys & Girls Club of LA Harbor w/ Mike Lansing
E102: Making Music Fun and Educational w/ Calia Knutson
E101: Women With a Vision w/ Liz Schindler-Johnson & Taran Schindler
E100: Meet Our Local Woodworking Musician, Harold Greene
E99: Elite Triangle Fitness w/Shain Rossi
E98: Heyday Elite Fitness w/ Eddie McKenna
E97: Physical Therapy San Pedro w/ Dr. Ja’nae Brown
E96: Under Pressure Nutrition w/ Christian Ibarra
E95: A Look Back at 2022 ft. Podcast Friends
E94: Holiday Wishes w/ San Pedro Kids
E93: L.A. in a Minute w/ Evan Lovett
E92: The Restoration Project w/ Kevin Wallner
E91: Roundtrip Collective w/Sarah Brega
E90: Cahoots w/ Marisa Hirtzel & Rachel Wilkerson
E89: San Pedro Meals On Wheels w/Susan McKenna + Mike Caccavalla
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