TRANSITIONS
Transitions are part of life for every kind of person. Some happen unexpectedly, and others happen just as we suspect—at the times we estimate—but this rarely happens.
Maquina is going through a somewhat unexpected transition at this point, but not a total surprise.
I have had a kidney condition my entire life, diagnosed at 30 years of age after my mother passed from the same condition at the ripe age of 61. I knew this time would come at some point when I would have to make some tough decisions; I just wasn’t expecting it to happen quite this soon.
I am now in need of a kidney transplant, and thus, all of my energy, time, and focus will be dedicated to my health and my family. This means a transition for Maquina. As of Friday, May 23rd, 2025, Maquina will phase out of doing wholesale accounts. We will focus exclusively on web orders and subscription services. Wholesale is a ton of work, both physically and emotionally, and simply put, it is not sustainable for the phase I am in right now.
This wasn’t an entirely easy decision because I care deeply about my relationships with customers, friends, and coffee producers. But if I am to keep these relationships for the future, then I must take these actions now so that I can restart when I am ready, willing, and able.
This June, I will have been in specialty coffee for 27 years. I don’t know this much about anything else in my life, but I do know that I will continue to pour my heart into it as best I can, though I will be taking a few steps back to preserve myself for a greater coffee-centered endeavor.
I also wanted to make this a call to awareness and action. If you are able to donate a kidney, please do so! Thirteen to seventeen people pass away every day waiting for a donor match. Over one hundred thousand people are currently waiting for a kidney transplant, and I am now on that list. If you are interested in becoming a donor, or if you have questions, inquiries, etc., please go to this link: DONATE.
I want to thank all of my wholesale customers who stuck it out with me, most of them for over 5 years. I have learned so much about myself and others in this process. I have a beautiful wife and family standing beside me with all their love and support as I move to Texas to start this healing journey with my incredible partner and our kids.
Please stay in touch - I would love to hear from you now and again, especially at a time when community matters. Feel free to email me at gabriel@maquinacoffee.com.
