Today we’d like to introduce you to Mirian S. Castillo.
Hi Mirian S., it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
No Tail End Coffee Co. officially began in April 2025, but the seed was planted years earlier, back in the middle of the COVID lockdowns. My wife and I were craving human connection in a time when it felt like the world had closed in on itself. Coffee was always the little ritual that brought us comfort, routine, and a sense of normalcy, and we found ourselves daydreaming about creating a space (even a tiny mobile one!) where people could feel that same warmth.
Life circumstances and the state of the world kept us from launching back then, but the desire to build something community focused never went away. It lingered, quietly and consistently, until one day we finally said, “You know what? Let’s just do it.” And that’s exactly how No Tail End Coffee Co. was born.
We started laying the foundation in April 2025, and by September, we officially opened our little mobile coffee venture. We’re now just two months in, and the response has been beyond anything we imagined (in the best way possible). We’ve already connected with so many incredible people, and the traction we’ve gained this early on has us excited (and honestly a little in awe). Expansion is definitely on our minds for the near future.
For us, coffee is meaningful because it’s connection. It’s that small moment in someone’s day where they get to pause, breathe, and feel seen. I personally know what it feels like to start my day happier and more ready to take on the world just from having a good cup of coffee, and it means everything to be able to share that with others. When someone walks up to our cart, we want them to feel welcomed, unhurried, and comfortable – like they’re stepping into a familiar, easygoing space where they matter.
At the heart of it, No Tail End Coffee Co. is about community, kindness, and creating a small spark of joy in someone’s day. We’re grateful for every person who stops by, whether it’s for a quick pick-me-up or a moment of connection, and we can’t wait to see where this adventure takes us next!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Starting a business hasn’t been without challenges – funding, planning, diving head-first into the nitty-gritty details, and balancing the many roles I take on: business owner, full-time employee, dog mom, partner, daughter, sister. It’s been overwhelming at times, but also incredibly rewarding. This journey has stretched me, changed me, and pushed me in the best possible ways. I’m proud of how much I’ve managed to juggle and how far we’ve come in such a short amount of time.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At No Tail End Coffee Co., we serve specialty coffee with a focus on intention, transparency, and genuinely clean ingredients. Our menu is built around espresso classics: lattes, cappuccinos, and Americanos, but what we’re most proud of are our house-made syrups and organic offerings. Every syrup is made from scratch with minimal, whole ingredients so we always know exactly what’s going into our drinks. We also specialize in ceremonial-grade organic matcha that we whisk fresh, right in front of you.
Our beans come from District Coffee Roasters in Houston. Choosing them wasn’t random! We wanted a partner who aligned with our values. Their beans are organically grown, sustainably sourced, and roasted locally, which keeps everything fresh and community-centered.
One of our favorite parts of our menu is our four-drink signature collection, each one named after someone or something special in our lives. The Gizmo and the Winston are named after our two mini Australian Shepherds, who also inspired the name “No Tail End” (and yes, they’re proudly on our logo). The Benny is named after my late grandmother, Benita, and it’s a honey–earl grey–lavender latte that pairs beautifully with coffee and matcha. The Margie honors my wife’s late grandmother and is made with raw honey, brown sugar, and cinnamon, simple, warm, and clean.
We’re often complimented on two things: the taste of our drinks and the vibe of our brand. Our espresso has that bold, satisfying kick people look for in a real coffee drink, not something drowned in sugar or artificial flavors. And visually, our cart stands out in a crowd. With its bright yellow-and-beige checkered design, burnt orange accents, and playful feel, it avoids the minimalist trend and instead leans into something fun, memorable, and approachable.
Another unforgettable part of our brand is our 1998 Honda Acty van, branded and completely impossible to miss and imported directly from Japan. It turns more heads than almost anything else on the road, and that’s on purpose. In a space crowded with coffee carts and coffee shops, we wanted something that people instantly remembered, something that made them smile before they even tasted the coffee.
What truly sets us apart, though, is our heart. We never wanted to feel exclusive or intimidating. We wanted our cart to feel warm, welcoming, and human, a place where anyone can walk up, feel seen, and enjoy something crafted with care. We’re proud of our work ethic, our originality, our aesthetic, and our values, but above all, we’re proud of the community we’re building.
We’re more than just coffee. We’re here to connect with the people around us, to show up for the community we grew up in, and to create small, meaningful moments, one good cup of coffee at a time.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memory is from when I was about seven years old, living in a small guest house behind my grandmother’s home. Every morning, before my mom was even awake, I’d slip out in my pajamas and walk the twenty feet to my grandmother’s back door. She’d already be settled into her armchair, watching her morning show with a cup of coffee and a little piece of sweet bread.
I’d climb onto the couch next to her, and she’d pour me a tiny cup of coffee (probably more milk and sugar than anything else) but to me, it felt like we were sharing something important. Those quiet mornings, just the two of us, sipping coffee and starting the day together, are moments I’ll never forget.
Looking back, I know those mornings shaped who I am and why this coffee business means so much to me. Coffee has always been more than a drink in my life; it’s connection, comfort, and love, exactly what I felt in my grandmother’s living room all those years ago.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notailendcoffee_co?igsh=MWR2bmR6N3EwM3FrOQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1A8Wq4q9MJ/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@notailendcoffee_co?_r=1&_t=ZP-91Y7OCXBtR1
