James Bradford III & Shavonne Cooper are the Owners and Power Duo behind Troisieme Café. Read their story as this month’s #BlackBusinessMonth Feature!
What inspired you to start your business?
Shavonne: There was a void in the community. I’ve always been a coffee lover, and at the time, I wasn’t enjoying my job. After spending ten years at my previous position, adjusting to life post-COVID with a NICU toddler, and welcoming a second child in 2023, I had this crazy idea to take a leap of faith and open our own shop. Here we are a year later—God is good!
“At Troisieme Café, we are a specialty coffee shop offering a variety of specialty lattes, coffee, pastries, breakfast items, and small bites. We also sell apparel, books, and drinkware.”
Have you faced any challenges as Black business owners? If so, how have you overcome them?
James: Absolutely. Funding has been a primary obstacle since we’re financing this ourselves. However, we worked with True Access Capital for our initial seed funding to launch Troisieme Café.
Can you share a success story or memorable moment related to your business?
Shavonne: We have quite a few moments we’re grateful for, but one that stands out is seeing our repeat customers who love our coffee. The atmosphere and the experience we provide remind us to keep going. We celebrated our one-year anniversary this past May—God is good!
What advice do you have for aspiring Black entrepreneurs?
James: Know your numbers!
Shavonne: Commit to what you do and remember why you started. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and want to give up. Take it one day at a time and roll with the punches. Wilmington is slowly growing on me after six years here. I’m used to fast-paced city life, so I’m still adjusting to Delaware. However, I believe Delaware has immense potential for Black businesses to thrive, and I hope to see more Black-owned businesses succeed in the near future.
Is there anything else you would like our readers to know about your business?
Shavonne: There’s something for everyone at our café, from kids to adults—it’s a place for everyone. We’re open seven days a week: Monday to Friday from 7 AM to 4 PM, and on weekends from 8 AM to 3 PM.