Meet Vic Esparza: Co-Founder / Cafe Director of Lazy Daisy Coffee Bar

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

Hi Vic, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Coffee is one of the most artistic and creative pathways I have come across. I have been entranced by coffee shops since I was in high school, and knew that I wanted to pursue coffee in some way throughout my life. I had originally gone to college for Horticulture and Urban Farming, and even though I enjoyed that path for life, something kept bringing me back to this one interest. There was something about the intricacy and science behind coffee brewing that has always intrigued me. The openness to experimental thought and team innovation seemed too good to be true. Obviously like any other industry, it has its ups and downs, but there’s a community within coffee that represents each and every one of us. I was never built for an office job, and definitely not made to walk around in a suit all day. I am able to be a professional within this industry, while still being able to express myself in a way that feels comfortable to me. I am also able to create an environment for my team that allows them the same comforts and safety of self-expression. Even with a 4 am wake up time, I still find myself falling in love with coffee more and more. It truly is an industry worth fighting for.

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?
Opening Lazy Daisy was one of the proudest moments of my life, and I still hold onto that feeling of opening our doors for the first time in my heart. What excites me the most are the relationships we have built as a team with our surrounding community. We are always meeting new people and developing more rapport with the neighborhoods around us. 2020 was definitely not the best year to open a shop, but through quick thinking and an adaptive team, we were able to make it through the year. We now are about to celebrate our one year anniversary and I am so proud of each and every person who has made this dream possible. One thing that really sets us apart from other shops, is our baristas. We have a team of innovative and creative thinkers behind bar that are so genuine, it really does make an affect on how we develop our relationships with whoever walks through the doors. We also have a space that feels very different from other shops around the Fort Worth area. Dim lighting, cozy couches, darker themes, and retro color schemes make for a relaxing and cozy space. The goal was to create a shop that made time disappear. We want our customers to feel calm and welcomed into our space, and to be able to forget about the time passing by. Going to a coffee shop should feel like going to another home.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Eat – Coco Shrimp, Press Cafe, Clay Pigeon, Black Cat Pizza Drink – The Usual, Proper, Taps and Caps Coffee – Arcadia, Black Coffee, Crude Coffee

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?
The Fort Worth coffee scene, North Texas Coffee Collective, Counter Culture Coffee

Website: lazydaisycoffee.com
Instagram: lazydaisycoffee
Facebook: Lazy Daisy Coffee
Yelp: Lazy Daisy Coffee Bar

Image Credits
photos shot by: Caroline Long @carolinegl_ and @coforgecreative