There is a place a few blocks from my house that I was introduced to only recently by my good friend and co-founder of ThinkCore Media- Mark Ley (@markkley). I had passed by it almost daily for the past two years, bud did not even know it existed. It is a coffee shop called Vinaka Cafe that sits, no joke, nestled behind a starbucks.
Before my life shifted into doing what I am passionate about every singe day, I spent many hours, and many dollars, at that starbucks hiding Vinka. I somehow found a way to justify four dollar beverages, ten dollar wifi (thx AT&T!), and, most importantly, managed to connect with a whopping 0 fellow java sippers.
Discovering Vinaka was one of the biggest rocket fuel boosts my new life path could take. It is evident that nearly every single customer is living a life of passion. It is often said “in order to find success you need to surround yourself with people who will bring you up.” Vinaka does one better. Beyond simply surrounding you with people who will bring you up, the location itself evokes creativity, passion, and quality content from anyone who passes through their doors.
Vinaka fuels creativity, with $1.00 coffee, free (yes FREE) Wi-Fi, and an inviting environment. People sit and work for hours with no pressure to leave from staff. This is a refreshing change from even seemingly inviting locations such as Panera (boasting ‘free wi-fi… but capping at 30 minutes) and the local Barnes and Noble (Again free Wi-fi, but kills power to outlets around lunch to prevent people from staying too long.)
Perhaps the most unique feature of the cafe is the people. Nearly every single day I have stopped by to work at the cafe I have made at least one new contact. The people are friendly, helpful, and feed off the collective energy of the hole in the wall that is Vinaka.
HOW TO TAKE ACTION:
If you are anywhere near Carlsbad, CA (and usually work from home), I can think of no greater place to recommend than the Vinaka Cafe.
If you are located anywhere else in the world I urge you to find a Vinaka of your own. They are out there, most likely where you least expect them.
t(h)ink on.
