Meet the Team

  • ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ Matt Ashwood

    An Anglo-Filipino who earned his US citizenship in 2011. Matt co-founded Bendecido with the dream of elevating Tampaโ€™s coffee culture and connecting unique communities.

  • ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ Nataly Ashwood

    As a cuban co-founder of Bendecido, Nataly loves making every individual feel special. And when thatโ€™s not with handcrafted coffee, itโ€™s as a writer or a counselor.

  • ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ Robert Bradley

    A devoted father with Puerto Rican roots. Robert has a soft spot for animal documentaries and soulful 90s R&B.

  • ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ Kim Soria

    Proudly identifying as an Ecuadorian-Filipina, Kim brings a unique blend of cultures to her role as a young mother, violinist, and preschool teacher.

  • ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡บ Julio "Jay" Suarez

    A future dermatologist with a sweet tooth. When Jayโ€™s not day trading or perfecting his microfoam, this Cuban-Puerto Rican can be found reeling in his next big fish.

  • ๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ Victoria

    Proudly American with Jamaican roots, Victoria was once a coffee skeptic but now considers herself a connoisseur. You can find her immersed in music, breaking a sweat with exercise, or expressing herself through dance.

  • ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ท Jackie Ellis

    A Boricua at heart thatโ€™s been mainlining coffee since toddlerhood. When not behind the bar, she channels her creative talents through a camera lens, grooving on her six-string or chasing after her feline companions.