Born and raised in Venezuela, Jorge was an engineer by trade, until political persecution forced him to flee the country in 2018. He had family members living in Argentina and was able to reunite with them there. As is normal with starting over in a new country, Jorge and his wife worked any job they could find (even though they were college educated).

Among the many jobs they worked during this time, they ended up working at a coffee shop, where they were surprised to find themselves interested in learning how to be baristas. During their training, they discovered a newfound passion for coffee. What started as a means to an end, became the passion that would drive them into a new career path.

Sadly, a few years later, Jorge learned that those who had previously persecuted him had discovered his new whereabouts and his life was in danger once again. After fleeing once to Argentina, Jorge and his wife were forced to flee again, this time seeking asylum in the United States. Being forcibly displaced once is a traumatic experience in and of itself, let alone experiencing that twice. But Jorge was determined not to let these past experiences get in the way of him pursuing a life of meaning and purpose.

Once in the US, Jorge and his wife started working as soon as they were allowed to. They started working as servers for a catering company where they often served at large private events. At these events, Jorge started to brainstorm on how he could use their knowledge and experience as baristas to start their own business. They immediately got to work on this idea.

At the time, Jorge was not yet connected with the IRC or any other agency that could support him in this journey. Against all odds, BravePro LLC was born in 2022. BravePro offers mobile coffee stations serving specialty coffee beverages prepared by professional baristas at private, corporate, social, and community events. Services include menu customization, on-site beverage preparation, and coffee education sessions.

BravePro redefines the coffee experience at events by providing mobile stations serving specialty coffee, creating a unique and engaging focal point for any gathering. Aimed at event organizers and companies looking to elevate their guests' experience, BravePro offers an experience that surprises and delights, incorporating the art of gourmet coffee directly into the event venue. Their differentiation lies in exceptional coffee quality, personalized service, and impeccable presentation that transforms ordinary service into an extraordinary experience.

Earlier this year, Jorge felt a little stuck in the growth of his business. He had plans for the expansion of BravePro and he realized he would need an influx of capital in order to achieve the growth he hoped to see. Through his membership at the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, he was referred to IRC Atlanta.

In collaboration with IRC Business Counselor, Francisco Pirela, Jorge was able to apply for and receive a business loan with IRC’s subsidiary lender, the Center for Economic Opportunity. This influx of capital gave Jorge the tools necessary to pursue his ultimate goal of BravePro becoming a household name.

The name BravePro has a double meaning for Jorge. Firstly, it is an homage his mother’s maiden name “Bravo”. Additionally, the concept of bravery and perseverance is one that resonates with Jorge. Despite all that life has thrown at him, he has never given up. “I make every effort to stay consistent and focused on what it is I want to achieve. I don’t let fear control my decisions. I squash my fear and try anyway. And through it all, I am fixed in my faith in God. I can’t do anything without Him.”

When asked about the difficulties he has experienced in his entrepreneurial journey, Jorge shared, “I started out completely on my own. We had to self-fund everything with the little savings we had. Not being fluent in English was also extremely difficult. But we didn’t let this get in the way of our goals. Thanks to the IRC, we were able to access more capital. We still struggle with English, but we are improving day by day.”

Jorge shared of his deep gratitude to the IRC for the support he received. “I want to thank the IRC for the opportunity they give to immigrants and asylum seekers. The support we received was so valuable. I am grateful to them for this vital resource and how it can make such a difference in the Hispanic community. Continue doing this great work.”

To engage with Jorge’s business, you can visit his website at: https://braveprousa.com/