So you're probably thinking, it's just another coffee company. Maybe you've seen this before—the same feel-good story, the same claims about sustainability, the same tired promises. But what if this time, it was different? What if a company wasn’t just built to sell coffee, but to change lives?
In 2009, two best friends, Beverly Magtanong and Jelynn Malone, were volunteering to build homes for the poor in the Philippines. They realized that the best way to create lasting change wasn’t just through charity, but by helping farmers earn a fair wage for their crops—which happened to be coffee. They sought the help of Chef Mike Arquines, who at the time was working in renowned Michelin-star restaurants. He and his team would later help create the masterpiece drinks their cafes are now known for. Their coffee would go on to earn them one of the most respected and coveted awards in the industry—“Roaster of the Year,” a title given to only a handful of the best coffee roasters in the world.
The name “Mostra,” the Italian word for exhibition or show, was chosen to reflect their performance backgrounds. Beverly (opera singer), Jelynn (television & performing arts), Mike (culinary arts), and Sam (decorated Army veteran with a sharp business acumen) illustrate a rich tapestry of talent, ambition, and duty. The four co-founders never sought vanity or excellence for its own sake but instead aimed to live out the essence of "Mostra"—an essence not just about putting on a show, but about a spirit that is as dynamic and inspiring as the force that drives the best in humanity. The will to do good.
“Mostra” is more than an exhibition. It represents the pursuit of greatness in all its forms—whether through the precision of culinary artistry, the discipline of performance, or the courage to uplift others. It’s not just about excellence; it’s about using one’s craft to create lasting impact. True greatness is measured not only by skill, but by the purpose behind it. “Mostra” is a tribute to the spectacular, a beacon for the extraordinary in all forms of human expression and achievement.
The desire to make a difference led to a thriving business beloved by the communities they serve. It is the reason why the company exists in the first place. Because at its core, Mostra is not just about coffee—it is about people. The ones who grow it, the ones who serve it, and the ones who share it. It is about showing up, standing for something, and leaving the world better than we found it. Much in the way that a musician strives to create music that transcends, it is the idea of embodying the highest levels of dedication and accomplishment and aligning yourself with the relentless pursuit of greatness that starts with a simple ideology...
Be the reason people see the goodness in humanity.
- Mostra Coffee
