Travel, life experiences and passion for being socially conscious, have brought Stephanie Vasquez, owner of Fair Trade Café, to this exact moment in her life. An Arizonan native who graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in education and began her professional career as a middle school science teacher, Stephanie was always inclined and passionate about helping her community. In 2006, after a life changing trip to Costa Rica, Stephanie experienced an “a-ha” moment. Moved by the culture, love and respect that Costa Ricans displayed for their coffee fields and land, she returned to Arizona knowing she would one day own her own socially conscious coffee shop. Stephanie had the concept and vision in mind, now her focus was on making it a reality. It wasn’t until 2007, in a moment Stephanie calls destiny, she was presented with the opportunity to take over the operations of Fair Trade Café. Since then, Fair Trade Café has become a staple of Roosevelt Row and a gathering place for ASU students, local organizations, business leaders and politicians. She has been recognized as Stylos 2010 Entrepreneur of the Year, 2014 Cox Latina Entrepreneur of the Year, 40 Hispanic Leaders Under 40, and most recently a recipient of the 40 Under 40 Award by Phoenix Business Journal. Aside from Ms. Vasquez’s professional accolades, she is deep rooted in her community and is the first to do what she can to help advance causes near and dear to her. From being a Hispanic Leadership Institute alumna, to a board member of AGUILA Youth Leadership Institute, serving in multiple advisory boards and volunteering of Justice that Works where she assists in transitioning recently incarcerated women into the workforce and community. Stephanie is constantly engaged in making her community a better place to live, which is one of the reasons she created #WomenofPhoenix, a group of women in the Phoenix area whose endeavor is to empower other women in their life’s journey Her belief that embracing socially conscious business practices creates a fruitful outcome for all and has guided her professionally and personally. As a mother of three she is working not only to continue her success through her love of coffee, but also to make the world a brighter place for her children and her community.