A 17-year-old from Rio Rancho, New Mexico is redefining what it means to pursue entrepreneurship while juggling school. Natalia Jurado, a high school senior balancing dual-enrollment coursework at a local community college, founded Pink Pour Co., a mobile coffee and matcha trailer that has quickly become a destination for coffee lovers across the region.

The journey began when Jurado struggled to find employment that could work around her demanding academic schedule. Rather than accept that limitation, she decided to create her own opportunity by starting a coffee business from home, then investing in a custom-built trailer manufactured in Chihuahua, Mexico. Pink Pour Co. officially launched on May 30, establishing itself at a Lowe’s parking lot in Rio Rancho with unmistakable hot pink branding designed to be instantly recognizable.

A Menu Built Around Quality and Consistency

Pink Pour’s offerings go beyond standard coffee fare. Jurado curates a rotating menu of specialty lattes and matcha drinks while maintaining year-round customer favorites like the Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso and Cookie Butter Latte. The trailer also serves refreshers, energy drinks, and smoothies to cater to different customer preferences. For those exploring premium options, Jurado sources her coffee beans from Finca Casa Blanca, a roasting business based in Puebla, Mexico that she connected with as both operations grew.

The technical side of the operation reflects serious coffee craftsmanship. Inside the trailer, espresso-based drinks pass through a Mazzer grinder before extraction on a Sanremo Zoe Compact espresso machine. Jurado taught herself everything from weighing doses and adjusting grind size to timing shots and understanding how minor adjustments can dramatically alter flavor profiles.

Learning the Business Beyond the Cup

espresso machine coffee brewing
Photo by Krists Luhaers

Transitioning from home operation to a commercial mobile business presented challenges Jurado’s academic studies never covered. She had to navigate gross receipts taxes, permits, licensing requirements, and health inspections, learning through experience what formal training rarely teaches. When the trailer’s axle broke under the combined weight of equipment, water, and supplies, she faced both a costly repair and valuable lessons about the unique demands of operating a mobile business.

Despite these obstacles, Jurado remains passionate about creating moments of joy for her customers. She traces her coffee enthusiasm back to childhood mornings with her grandmother, who shared small cups of coffee that became a symbol of comfort and connection. That same commitment to making meaningful experiences through coffee drives her daily operations. Just as home brewers appreciate quality equipment and technique in their own kitchens, Jurado has become equally invested in perfecting her craft in a commercial setting.

The community response has exceeded expectations. Customers regularly make the roughly 30-minute drive from Albuquerque to visit the trailer, validating Jurado’s risk-taking decision. Her gratitude for this support is genuine and evident in how she runs the operation.

Growth Plans and Teen Entrepreneur Insights

At 18 years old next month, Jurado plans to officially assume ownership of the business from her mother, who is currently listed as the legal owner. She’s already considering expansion, including a second trailer that would allow Pink Pour to maintain its Rio Rancho base while building a regular presence in Albuquerque. The mobile nature of the operation also opens doors for event catering and pop-up activations.

For other teenagers considering entrepreneurship, Jurado’s advice is straightforward: chase your dreams and take chances on yourself. She emphasizes that business success doesn’t require a traditional path or formal business education. Whether customers prefer quick-brew solutions or elaborate specialty drinks, there’s always a market for quality, consistency, and genuine care.

Pink Pour Co. operates regularly at the Lowe’s location at 3805 Northern Blvd. N.E. in Rio Rancho, with weekly schedule updates posted through their Instagram account. For shoppers in the area seeking specialty coffee and matcha drinks made with attention to technique and sourced from quality roasters, this teen-run operation represents the kind of fresh entrepreneurial energy reshaping local coffee culture.

What makes this story particularly relevant for coffee consumers is the reminder that quality and innovation can come from unexpected sources. Jurado’s commitment to learning her craft, understanding her equipment, and building community connections reflects the same values that passionate coffee drinkers seek in every cup they purchase.