Guillermo's Story
Guillermo is a roaster and owner of Los Amigos Coffee in Albuquerque, New Mexico who never expected to be where he is today.
When he bought his Aillio Bullet, it was one of the biggest investments he had made in his coffee career. Like many such good people, at the time, he wasn't planning on starting a coffee company—he just wanted to learn how to roast better coffee and take his passion for coffee to the next level. Looking back, that decision ended up changing the course of his life.
The Self-Taught Sandbox
As a self-taught roaster, the Bullet gave him a way to experiment, make mistakes, learn from them, and improve with every batch. He spent countless late nights roasting, taking notes, re-roasting coffees -- all in an effort to understand exactly what was happening inside the drum. There were plenty of mistakes along the way, but every roast taught him something new. The Bullet made that process approachable and gave him the tools to learn at his own pace.
The Hobby That Became Real
Over time, that investment turned into something much bigger than he ever imagined. The skills and confidence he gained on the Bullet gave him the push he needed to start Los Amigos Coffee and share his coffee with his community. What started as a hobby grew into something real, and the Bullet has been a part of that journey from the very beginning. It even helped him land his first job as a roaster at La Luz Coffee, where he is now its Head Roaster, responsible for training up the next generation of roasters. Even today, it's the roaster he uses to keep learning, experimenting, and discovering new coffees.
"I believe coffee is best enjoyed when shared. Back when I was a barista, I saw how a simple cup of coffee could bring people together. Whether with friends or strangers, there's something special about sitting down over a great cup, sharing a conversation, and getting to know someone. That's what inspires me to keep roasting—to create coffees that people can connect over and enjoy together. At the end of the day, it's all about building community, one cup at a time. ¡Más café, por favor!""