If matcha is your go-to drink, chances are you’ve heard of HerCafe. The first mobile matcha cart in Kansas City, HerCafe is known for its fun seasonal matcha flavors and for bringing community together one cup at a time.

Lines often form before their pop-ups even begin, a testament to the buzz they’ve built. Founded by University of Missouri-Kansas City student Yasmen Hassen and her friend Lujyn Elsayed, HerCafe continues to grow in popularity across the Kansas City community. Most recently, they popped up at the Roos Mobb event alongside other UMKC alumni-owned businesses. We got the tea from Hassen on how she whisked HerCafe into reality.

1. What made you decide to start HerCafe?

My business partner, Lujyn Elsayed, and I were previously baristas at coffee shops and have a love for creating and curating drinks. We both were headed to a retreat in summer 2024 and were tasked to make drinks for everyone. The response was incredible. Everyone loved them and kept saying, ‘These are so good, you should start something!’ At first, we didn’t take it too seriously, but eventually we thought, why not give it a try and see what happens? Our first opportunity came when our local mosque was hosting a bazaar and needed a vendor. We decided to give it a shot, and the rest is history!

2. With so many beverage options on the market, why matcha?

We both really love matcha. When we started HerCafe, matcha was just starting to get popular. Some people knew what it was, and you could find it at most coffee shops, but it was still kind of underrated and an acquired taste for most.

We wanted to create something that felt intentional and community-driven and knew we could do that with a matcha cart. With the setup, we hand whisk every order so that it’s not just about the drink but the experience you have while waiting in line. Cultivating the feeling of community with everyone in the same space. That whole ethos goes hand in hand with the traditional way matcha is made intentionally and how it brings people together, so we went with matcha instead of the typical coffee-cart route.

3. HerCafe just turned one, congratulations! What has been the biggest challenge of starting a business while still being a student?

It was definitely a lot. I was a junior when I started HerCafe, while also serving as Student Government Association president and working at Lockton (where I still work). I was wearing so many hats, and it took some adjusting. But for me, I always like to pour into things I am super passionate about, and all those things were aligned with my purpose.

Even though my schedule was packed every single day, I genuinely enjoyed everything I was doing. Whether it was Lockton, HerCafe or student government, all of it centered around community. Knowing that I am serving a purpose and serving my community is what keeps me going and makes it all worth it. 

4. What advice do you have for a student who is thinking of starting their own business?

Just do it! It’s so scary and intimidating, but you never know until you try. See what happens. There is so much opportunity and talent in the world, don’t let your fears hold you back from exploring and trying new things that you are passionate about. If you love what you’re doing, it won’t feel like work, and success will be that much sweeter knowing you believe in yourself. Also, take it one step at a time. Be sure that you are not only dedicating time to your work, but are also making time for yourself.

5. How has your experience at UMKC impacted the success of HerCafe?

I’m a business major at the Bloch School with an emphasis in marketing, but I’ve also taken a lot of entrepreneurship classes. Through those courses, I’ve been able to connect with so many amazing people. The Kansas City business community is small, everyone knows everyone, and being at UMKC really opened those doors for me.

Just the other day, a friend texted me about an opportunity for HerCafe, and I was like, this never would have happened if I wasn’t part of this community at UMKC and the Bloch School. I definitely wouldn’t have had those same opportunities elsewhere.

UMKC has given me access to resources and people I can lean on whenever I’m unsure of the next step. I know I can reach out to a mentor at the Regnier Institute, talk to a professor or reach out to someone in Bloch Launchpad to help guide me on operating a business. The Alumni Association has also been a huge support, thanks to my involvement in student government. I was glad I was able to build those relationships, as I would not have had the opportunity to pop up at Roos Mobb without them.

UMKC has played such a big role in HerCafe’s journey, and I know it will continue to be part of my story even after I graduate. That’s something I’m really excited about!

6. If UMKC were to have its own HerCafe drink, what would it be made of?

Definitely a blueberry lemon bar matcha with blueberry puree and honey lemon cold foam! The blue and yellow UMKC colors would look beautiful together. It would be a complex and layered drink, which reflects the different pathways UMKC has to offer. The drink also has something for everyone to enjoy whether it's the tartness of the lemon or the sweetness of the blueberry. I’d top it off with a mini lemon bar from a local Kansas City bakery to highlight the connection between UMKC and the Kansas City community.

7. What were you most excited about popping up at the Roos Mobb event?

I was really excited to meet all the different alumni-owned businesses. Being in a space with so many people who’ve had a similar college experience or career path was amazing. It was super inspiring for me to be around people I look up to and admire. I was also excited to continue to cultivate that sense of community by popping up alongside them at the event.

Follow HerCafe on Instagram to keep up with their pop-up schedule.