Brewing New Beginnings

After earning his undergraduate degree in 2013, Espina considered the possibility of running his own coffee shop, but for almost a decade, his efforts were dedicated to building his nursing career. The entrepreneurship idea was further placed on hold once he and his wife, Lakeisha, got married and started having children, prompting him to concentrate even harder on his profession to provide for his growing family.

It wasn’t until the COVID-19 pandemic that Espina’s dreams of owning his own business began to seriously materialize. The unpredictability of the world, paired with his children growing up faster than he was prepared for, caused Espina to face a sobering truth.

“I realized time was running out to do the things that Lakeisha and I could potentially do,” he recalls. “We’re getting older, the kids are going to get bigger, and they’re going to ask, ‘Where’s Dad? He’s always gone.’”

Despite having no formal business or management training, the Espinas spent two years saving, planning, and collaborating with another married couple, and in 2024, they finally opened the doors to Solid Grounds.

 

Serving Wholesome Choices

Espina’s years in healthcare were influential in shaping Solid Grounds, particularly in his understanding of how healthy habits are an essential part of the holistic nature of wellness.

The shop’s menu is testament to this mentality, as most of the items are under 500 calories, including many of the specialty drinks and indulgent-sounding paninis. And rather than loading up their offerings with excessive sugar, which can be addictive, the team strives to use tasty, yet wholesome ingredients.

As a nurse, Espina knows all too well how quickly acute care can turn into chronic illness, so as a business owner, he integrates the concept of prevention into Solid Grounds. “I don’t want to market on making people diabetic,” he declares candidly. “I would rather people come to a shop that they know they can trust.”

 

Growing Organically

Another aspect of Espina’s medical background that has guided his foray into the food and beverage business is the importance of connection.

“Being a nurse helped me establish the branding for the shop in knowing that people are looking for a safe place, for something that can add to their day,” he says.

That “something” has manifested into more than just cups of tea and cold brew. Solid Grounds has become a hub for community engagement and the host of a mixed bag of events, such as small business pop-ups, arts and crafts meet ups, zine shows, a mwar-mwar making workshop, and even a running club.

Espina notes that in most cases, the organizers behind the events reach out to him to collaborate, which he views as a blessing since the shop is being used for multiple purposes. The organic partnerships have grown through the simple creation of an inviting space, and unsurprisingly, the public responds.

“The community is coming in themselves, and I think that’s awesome,” Espina says.

 

Establishing the Daily Grind

Because Solid Grounds operates under four owners and a team of eight baristas, the set up allows Espina to put quality attention and effort into all of his commitments without having to work behind the bar full-time.

Indeed, Espina starts his days early at the shop, where he takes inventory and troubleshoots any issues. The solitude also gives him an opportunity for quiet reflection before making it back home to get his kids ready and dropped off to school. He then gets in some exercise through running or surfing before returning to Solid Grounds to meet with community partners and check in with his staff. Once he helps them prepare for the lunch rush, Espina leaves for his full-time job as a school nurse. The moment he comes home after his shift, he “shuts off” from all work responsibilities and devotes himself to his family.

Despite the busy schedule, Espina has established a purposeful balance—and firm boundaries—between his work life, his home life, and his personal pursuits.

 

Staying Grounded

With Solid Grounds celebrating its second anniversary this past February and ongoing plans to expand the business with a kiosk at a local gym, Espina’s career ventures continue to move steadily with forward momentum.

The growing success, however, doesn’t stop Espina and his fellow co-owners from staying true to the core values that have guided them from the onset of the business: put faith first, choose family always, and keep the work fun. “I told myself that if any of those pillars disappear,” Espina says, “the business wouldn’t be worth continuing.”

In the meantime, the passion Espina has for Solid Grounds still burns brightly, and the care and community it was built on continues to be served daily, one cup of coffee at a time.

Solid Grounds Coffee Shop is located in the KG Plaza in Tamuning. For more information, visit @solidgroundscoffeeshop on Instagram.