Stojo Stories

International Women’s Day may be March 8th, but we all know there’s never a day women aren’t making a difference. We’re celebrating its 109th year, while celebrating women 365 days a year. As we spring into sustainability this month, we’re highlighting two incredible women who have made, and continue to make, their mark on the environment and the world, every day. 

Feeling less than inspired while working at a large company, Spoorthi and her good friend Anand Patel decided to launch Hidden Grounds in New Brunswick, New Jersey, as a way to own her own business and stretch her creativity. Six years later, the duo now have five locations across New Jersey and a new concept called Simply Chai featuring the chai recipes they grew up with in India.

Settling down with a young toddler after a whirlwind career as an art dealer, Travas Clifton moved next door to a coffee roaster in Toronto where he realized everything he knew about coffee was wrong. 

After diving into his new obsession and learning everything about coffee processing and roasting, Travas moved to New Jersey where he began (illegally) roasting his naturally processed coffee beans that he sold from a converted hot dog cart in 2013. His unique product quickly caught on and Modcup has grown to three retail locations including a converted 1969 Citron truck that was once installed inside the Mack-Cali building along the waterfront at Exchange Place.