1951 Coffee Company with Doug Hewitt - Ep. 122

Welcome to episode 122 of The American Dream in the Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time!Doug Hewitt shares his journey from Tennessee to California, his transformative years in China, and how those experiences ultimately inspired him to co-found 1951 Coffee Company, a nonprofit social enterprise dedicated to supporting refugees and immigrants as they rebuild their lives in the United States.In this episode, Doug reflects on his upbringing, his early fascination with languages, and the cultural shocks he experienced while studying in China. He opens up about the challenges of navigating a new country without speaking the language, the moments that shaped his worldview, and how these experiences sparked his passion for helping newcomers find stability and opportunity in the U.S.Doug takes us through the creation and growth of 1951 Coffee Company, from its founding in 2015 to its impact today—training over 400 baristas, hiring more than 75 immigrants and refugees, and helping graduates launch their own coffee businesses. He shares how the company’s mission is rooted in empowerment, dignity, and self-determination, and how he continues to be inspired by the resilience and drive of the communities he serves.With Love, HeidyConnect with Doug:WebsiteLooking for a tax preparer for the 2026 season? Get your taxes done with the Dedicated Tax Pros Family and me! Send me an email for a free estimate: [email protected] You can now become an official supporter of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants podcast for just $10 a month!Your support helps cover production costs, ensuring we continue bringing powerful immigrant stories to life. And as a thank you, you'll get exclusive access to:✨ Behind-the-scenes content🎙️ Special Q&A sessions with me🔓 Ad-free episodes! If this podcast has inspired you, moved you, or made you feel seen, this is your chance to be part of its growth. Your support truly makes a difference!Sign up now and join our exclusive community on Substack!!! 💛Check out the full list of different ways you can support the podcast.  *This podcast is sponsored by SoVerve Marketing GroupIr Al Sol SwimwearCapital BPGFar From Home PodcastKaza Law ImmigrationFor sponsorship opportunities, send an email to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected] a one-time donation here: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=2C3JDALUGTS6E Start your podcast in 6-weeks or less with The V.O.I.C.E. Method Podcast Launch Course! Learn everything from tech, podcast hosting sites, editing, Podcast SEO, and more! Find out more information here. And if you refer a client to me and they sign up for 1:1 Podcast Launch Coaching, you will receive $50!   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.