Through Connect Coffee Co., the Prescott business owner brings a welcoming space for conversation to markets, weddings and community events
Michele Tryon loves what can happen while someone waits for a cup of coffee. A conversation begins. Friends catch up. Two people who arrived as strangers find something in common.
Those small moments are the idea behind Connect Coffee Co., the Prescott-based mobile coffee and gelato business Michele owns and operates. From weddings and private gatherings to corporate events and local markets, she brings her vintage-inspired micro truck to places where people are already coming together—and gives them another reason to linger.
“I wanted to build something that offered more than a great drink—something personal, welcoming, and rooted in connection,” Michele said in her Prescott Woman Magazine feature questionnaire. The business’s motto, “Moments made with coffee,” captures what she hopes guests take away.
Finding a place to connect
Michele came to Arizona with her family to begin a new chapter. Having grown up in a small town on the East Coast, she felt drawn to Prescott’s historic charm and close-knit community. Over time, it became the place where she built her business.
Connect Coffee Co. serves locally roasted, organic coffee, along with espresso drinks, cold brew, lemonade and gelato. Michele can be found serving at events such as the Prescott Farmers Market, as well as weddings and gatherings hosted by local businesses. She also looks for opportunities to collaborate with other small businesses. Connect Coffee Co
For Michele, the setup is part of the experience. She enjoys imagining how a small space can feel inviting, then working out the practical details that bring that idea to life. Even while one event is underway, she may already be dreaming up a new setup or collaboration.
“I enjoy designing the experience just as much as making the coffee,” she shared.
Leading through change
Michele is proud of building Connect Coffee Co. from an idea into a recognizable local business. Seeing the truck at markets, weddings and community events—and watching people connect around something she created—has made the work meaningful. Continuing to build it through difficult times has shaped her understanding of leadership.
Navigating breast cancer while operating and growing the business brought that lesson into focus. Michele was balancing recovery, motherhood, business ownership and major personal changes. She learned to adapt, accept support and keep moving forward with purpose.
“Strength is not about pushing through everything alone,” she said.
The experience made her more intentional about how she leads. Michele believes strong women leaders listen, remain open to learning and help others feel seen and valued. Resilience matters, she said, but so does knowing when to ask for help or change direction.
That belief carries into her advice for women considering entrepreneurship. Michele encourages them to trust their ideas and begin before every detail feels perfect. Relationships with other women and local business owners can offer guidance along the way, particularly when plans change.
What’s next
Michele is now looking forward to expanding the experiences Connect Coffee Co. offers and creating more partnerships with local businesses. She wants those collaborations to feel distinctive to the people and gatherings they serve.
It is a natural next step for a business built around bringing people together. At each stop, Michele can serve a drink she loves making and create room for a conversation that might not have happened otherwise.
Learn more about Connect Coffee Co. at connectcoffeeco.com or follow @connectcoffeecoprescott on Instagram.