MEET
Silvia Venegas Cordero
From coffee struggles to chocolate-dipped fruit: Selenia turned hope into income.
Her journey
While working at a hotel in Jacó, Silvia would pause during coffee fairs, curious and amazed that visitors paid so much for a cup of coffee—something so familiar, yet so distant from her own life. Having grown up surrounded by coffee plants, she realized how much untapped potential lay within her reach. That spark led her back to Pérez Zeledón with a dream: to someday roast, package, and sell her own coffee.
Together with her husband, Silvia took a leap of faith. They went into debt to buy a small farm, at first using it for cattle. Slowly, coffee returned to their soil. With guidance from a local engineer, Silvia began processing small batches of her own beans. The moment she held 11 kilos of her first harvest in her hands, she knew she was on the right path. Today, she proudly sells coffee under her own brand—an 87-point specialty cup, born from patience and belief.
“I’ve always been a dreamer,” Silvia says. “But dreams only grow when we nurture them—with work, perseverance, and heart.”
A Journey of Learning and Renewal
In 2024, Silvia joined Bean Voyage’s Farmer School and quickly became one of its most engaged participants. She attended field trips, workshops, and national gatherings, always eager to deepen her understanding of coffee and farm management.
Her commitment earned her seed funding, which she invested in creating a nursery project—Vivero Cielo Nocturno—to grow vegetables for her restaurant and family. The project allowed her to integrate sustainability into every corner of her business.
In March 2025, Silvia proudly brought her own coffee to a public cupping in Frailes de Desamparados, an experience that filled her with joy and pride. She now dreams of submitting her beans to Bean Voyage’s Market Access Program to reach new buyers and showcase the story behind each cup.
Key Learnings
Through the program, Silvia gained new skills in financial literacy, farm planning, and sustainable production. But perhaps her biggest realization was this:
“It’s better to have less coffee, but of higher quality—carefully nurtured and truly ours.”
She learned to see value not only in her coffee but in every product from her farm—from vegetables to traditional food ingredients—each a potential source of income and pride.
The Transformation
Silvia’s growth is not just professional—it’s deeply personal. After facing a serious health condition in 2023 that required multiple surgeries and months of recovery, she describes that period as being “reborn.” The program, she says, came at just the right time—offering community, encouragement, and a renewed sense of purpose.
About Silvia’s Project
NAME OF THE PROJECT
Huertas Cielo Nocturno
REGION / COUNTRY
Pérez Zeledón – Costa Rica
SEED FUND FROM BV
$500 USD
PROJECT TYPE
Home Gardens
“Bean Voyage helped me pause and reflect. I used to work endlessly, never giving myself time. Now, I take things slower, with gratitude—and with more care for my health.”
Her confidence has blossomed. Today, she speaks about her business with ease and pride, recognizing the legacy she’s carrying forward by even buying coffee from her father.
Looking Ahead
Silvia’s dreams stretch far beyond her current achievements. She envisions a fully integrated rural tourism experience—where visitors can enjoy coffee tastings, home-cooked meals, guided farm walks, and the peaceful rhythm of life in the mountains.
Her goals include:
Expanding Rancho Cielo Nocturno to include her vegetable garden, coffee processing, and traditional sugar mill (trapiche).
Continuing to strengthen her coffee brand and reach new markets.
Inspiring other women to believe in themselves and pursue their dreams with courage and persistence.
“I’ve always been a dreamer,” Silvia says. “But dreams only grow when we nurture them—with work, perseverance, and heart.”