This post in the series “Celebrating Former Residents: Small Business Success Stories” is about former resident Misrak Mengesha. She is the founder of Namet Ethiopian Coffee and also works full-time as a Banking Advisor at RBC (Royal Bank of Canada).
Business: Namet Ethiopian Coffee
When Misrak Mengesha arrived in Canada in 2017, she carried with her not only dreams for a better future but also the cherished rituals of Ethiopian life—especially the tradition of sharing coffee.
Namet Ethiopian Coffee, is a registered company in Ontario to sell/ supply Ethiopian Coffee to all coffee lovers, small business and café owners. Namet Coffee was established in January 2025 and provides freshly roasted Ethiopian coffee for individuals, small business and café owners. They also offer coffee catering service for various events, meetings and social gatherings. The coffee is roasted in Kitchener and sold on Amazon, to individuals and business owners. Namet is named after her two adorable kids by taking part of their names as they are
the center of her motivation. While the company doesn’t yet have a physical storefront, you can find Namet Coffee on Amazon or connect through her website, email (nametethiopiancoffee@gmail.com), or phone (647-915-3232).
What inspired her?
As a newcomer to Canada, Misrak wanted to bring the Ethiopian tradition of socializing around coffee to her new community—to create space for connection, conversation, and addressing shared challenges. She saw a gap in the market for authentic Ethiopian coffee and felt called to share the rich flavors she loved with Canadians and beyond.
For Misrak, coffee is more than just a beverage—it is a tradition, a social ritual, and a symbol of hospitality. Namet Coffee also aims to support the mothers and children involved in planting, growing, and harvesting coffee beans in Ethiopia. Misrak’s connection to coffee is deeply rooted in her upbringing in the Ethiopian highlands, where the beans grow slowly at high altitudes, developing rich, complex flavors. She remembers the scent of freshly roasted coffee during traditional ceremonies, filling her home with warmth, heritage, and stories passed through generations.
After moving to Canada, Misrak longed for that authentic taste and realized she didn’t just want to drink better coffee—she wanted to share it. Namet Coffee is her way of honoring her roots and introducing others to the true taste of Ethiopia. Running the business allows Misrak to experiment with flavor and technique, and to reflect her values and passion. It also helps her recreate the joy of gathering around coffee—connecting people in Canada to the traditions of her homeland.
Journey with Romero House
Misrak lived at Romero House from 2017-2018 at Bloor House.
What is your favourite memory from Romero House?
Me and my family arrived in Canada in 2017 and joined the Romero house family after a couple of weeks and since then, Romero House was with us in every aspect of our life. We achieved a great milestone in our life and our settlement was unique and smooth. The founder of Romero House Mary Jo, all the interns, staff members, volunteers and neighbours showed as a great love and respect which I am always grateful for.
How has Romero House impacted where you are today?
Romero House has a significant place in my settlement. Had it not been for them the settlement could have taken longer and we may not be in this position with this short time frame. We had the opportunity to connect with various people who then became our friends and family. The support and connection we got through Romero House helped us in job search, in getting our driving licenses, finding school for our kids, to name a few.