Meet Natasha Cruz-sánchez | Coffee Professional & Truck Driver

We had the good fortune of connecting with Natasha Cruz-sánchez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Natasha, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
As a latina from Puerto Rico, we use both of our parents’ last names, my full name is NAtasha CRUz SÁNchez and since I was a little girl I used to take the first 2-3 letters of each word and create a new word. From doing that I came up with the business name, which I love because it is very unique. The name of my business is NACRUSÁN, an online store, in which I sell specialty coffee produced by women inspired by the trucking industry. My dream is to have my own coffee roasting business and have my own trucking company. I am proud to represent 12% of the female truck drivers in the USA. The purpose of my business is: To honor the work of those who produce coffee and the work of those who move the world: coffee farmers and truck drivers.

For more than five years, I’ve put in the work to know all aspects of the specialty coffee supply chain, yet never saw any female truckers picking up the product at the end of the line. I chose to dive into the trucking industry to face a new challenge and serve as an inspiration, not only for women, but to anyone that feels left out in this challenging field. However, working Over-The-Road brought attention to the low-quality coffee that truckers drink in their well-deserved breaks. I believe that bringing the highest quality coffee can help the people who move the world, the truckers, while helping the people who wake the world up, coffee growers.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
After working in corporate America, my coffee career officially started in 2018 when I worked in a specialty coffee shop in Washington DC. After traveling to get trained in Florence, Italy in a coffee school called: Espresso Academy and winning a local Latte Art competition I had the opportunity to advance in my coffee career by working in a coffee roastery.

Working in a coffee roastery for 2 years gave me the opportunity to expand my knowledge of coffee-related topics. In which I learned aspects of the coffee supply chain, roasting, processing, quality control, packaging, customer service, visiting coffee farms and sales.

After visiting a coffee farm in Guatemala, the pandemic started and I was able to work production. A lot of truck drivers were coming into our warehouse to pick up coffee and I used to be the person guiding truckers back into our loading dock, however I never saw any female drivers coming to us. It was there when I realized that I wanted to become a truck driver!

Unfortunately due to medical reasons, I had to go back to Puerto Rico and get a surgery done.

After I recovered I’ve decided to move to Arizona with a friend take a break from coffee and become a truck driver. Since it was something I wanted to do before.

My trucking career officially started in March 2023. After working as a truck driver I realized the low-quality coffee that drivers are being served in some truck stops and then boom! Everything clicked, I decided to create a brand that combines the two things I’m most passionate about: coffee and trucking.

In June 2024 everything changed, I fell and tore my ACL on my left knee. I had to step out of the truck and get a knee surgery. It was not easy to be able to open the online store. I thought many times about quitting. Not having a support system close by has been something I had to learn to deal with.

Regardless of the distance my friends and family were the ones calling me everyday to make sure I was okay. Having a support system made the difference, not only for this business but also for my well-being.

I overcame the challenges by learning how to receive help, accepting that I can’t control everything, that crying is okay and that setting boundaries to preserve your mental health is also okay. I’ve learned to feel ALL of my emotions, even if they are not “good”. I also learned that saving money was key… I used to save 30% off my salary and I have been living off my savings for the last 5 months.

I want the world to know about my brand that this brand means everything to me. As a latina woman without family members close by, generational wealth, connections nor a functional leg. I believe when you do things you are passionate about, the rest will follow

My tears, my sweat, my leg and my mental health were on the line in order to make this happen. I don’t want to give up, not now after all I’ve been through. Even though I can’t walk yet, I think I deserve to try… again.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’d take them to:

Eat:
– Puerto Rico Latin Grill
– Mambo’s Dominican Kitchen
– Sosoba (Ramen)
– Pomo (Pizza)

Drink:
– The Global Ambassador Rooftop
– Rum Runners Bar
– Café Cortez
– Cultivate Coffee

Smoke:
– 24th Street Cigar Shop & Bar

Visit:
– Phoenix Art Museum
– The Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix
– Hole in the Rock

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Thanks to:

Las Adelitas (coffee farmers)
Lupita Sánchez
Nelson González
Jorge Báez
Valeria Vázquez
Heydie Santos
Alejandra Carolina
Jennis Vicente
Elijah Wiley
Yildry González
Eduardo Choza
Jonathan Argueta
Anderson Roa
Ana López
Ramón Santiago
Judith Sánchez Delgado (mami)

Website: https://www.nacrusan.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nacrusan?igsh=MWEzOWs5YWxyNnlocA==

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560879839435&mibextid=LQQJ4d