Matthew and I live in Orrock and we own Ember Coffee, located on Highway 10. Elisa manages the store and homeschools our boys, while Matthew works in Cybersecurity and does work for Ember on the side. We love starting new things and bringing people together and Ember is a part of that. We live in a wonderful neighborhood where our neighbors have become some of our dearest friends. We are thankful to also each have family that lives in the area who we see often and do life with.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
We have four growing boys and two of them are teenagers.
Q: How long have you lived and/or worked in Big Lake?
Seven years, and before that we lived in St. Paul.
Q: Tell us about your current, past, or future career.
We love owning a coffee shop and getting to be present in the city that we love. It’s a great opportunity to get to know the people in our area and help create a space for community.
Q: Have you ever had a nickname? What is it and why were you given it?
No nicknames for either of us.
Q: What is your favorite TV Show, Movie, Book? (Please list as many as you’d like!)
We both love the Office. Elisa doesn’t watch many movies but Matthew likes “Inception”. Matthew likes the book series “The Stormlight Archives” and Elisa enjoys books by Francine Rivers.
Q: If you could only eat one food/meal and have one beverage for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Matthew would eat Pei-wei and drink Americanos from Ember Coffee. Elisa would eat her mom’s Vietnamese food and drink water – she likes coffee but she likes water even more.
Q: What are some of your favorite hobbies or pastimes?
Elisa likes practicing cursive penmanship. Matthew likes to go on dates with Elisa.
Q: What is one thing on your bucket list?
Matthew wants to go back to India where he spent 3 months years ago and Elisa wants to go back to Spain where she grew up.
Q: What would you buy/do if you won the lottery?
Both Matthew and Elisa would buy the Old Schoolhouse and make it into a greenhouse for businesses, nonprofits, and community for Big Lake.
Q: What has been a challenge you have had to overcome? (Life, School, Work, etc.)
Matthew has had to overcome the feeling that everything has to be perfect, and learn that “good enough is good enough”. Elisa has had to learn that you can’t make everybody happy.
Q: Who has been a hero in your life?
Matthew’s dad has been a hero in his life for his perseverance and hard work. In Elisa’s life her dad has also been a hero for the way he champions others.
Q: What is something even your family and friends may not know about you?
People might not know that Matthew is an introvert. They might not know that Elisa likes watching rodeo shows.
Q: What is your proudest accomplishment?
Matthew: I still love my wife after 18 years and she still loves me. Elisa: We have a sweet atmosphere in our home and even our teenagers enjoy being around us.
Q: What are a few of your favorite businesses / restaurants in Big Lake?
We love Cambo Flare, Big Lake Floral, Hot House Saunas, Willie’s on the Water, Sand Dunes, Food & Fuel, Lake Cafe, and more!
Q: What is one of your favorite things about Big Lake?
The people in Big like are kind and welcoming to others. It’s beautiful and quiet, a great place to live and raise a family.
Q: What advice would you give to people living in Big Lake?
We should be intentional to look for ways to show kindness to people that we don’t know, or who might seem different us – for example, from another culture. That enriches our city!
Q: Who is an interesting person in our community that you’ve met and deserves to be included in The Faces of Big Lake project?
Nicole Kuchera. She is one of the kindest people we know, compassionate, generous and giving. She knows EVERYONE in Big Lake and is very involved in the community. She’s a beautiful diamond.
