In this inspiring episode of Harvesting Wisdom, host Mike McMahon sits down with Stephanie Vasquez, founder of Fair Trade Cafe and Empowering Latina Leaders in Arizona (ELLA). Stephanie shares her journey from middle school science teacher to pioneering entrepreneur and sustainability advocate. A transformative trip to Costa Rica opened her eyes to the hidden environmental and social costs of coffee production. This revelation sparked her mission to build a business—and later a nonprofit—that champions ethical sourcing, composting, community empowerment, and climate-smart practices.Listeners will hear how Stephanie navigated the challenges of sourcing fair trade coffee, built strong community partnerships, and fostered sustainable change through education and representation. Her story is a testament to how one person’s passion can ripple into lasting impact.