In Conversation With Sandra

Raised in Montréal but hailing from Haiti, Sandra is building something that blends both worlds.

Through Café 18SANKAT, she’s creating more than a brand; she’s restoring pride in Haitian coffee, honouring its producers and celebrating a place too often overlooked in the specialty scene. Every part of her process, from sourcing to roasting, is infused with intention and care.

In this conversation we speak with Sandra about what it means to be a Black woman roaster, her evolving definition of success as she builds from the ground up and some beautiful changes on the horizon.

Listen: Can you tell us a bit about yourself? Your heritage, where you grew up, what inspires you?

Sandra: I was born and raised in Montréal, and I’m of Haitian descent. I feel deeply connected to Montréal, it’s such a vibrant city, full of culture, art, energy, and above all, incredible diversity. But there’s also a big part of me that’s rooted in Haiti, my country of origin. It’s a place I’ve mostly known from afar, but I’ve always wanted to spend more time there, to really get to know the different communities, the traditions, and hopefully one day build meaningful projects on the ground.

Unfortunately, because of the political instability and the rise of armed gangs that now control much of the capital, I haven’t been able to go back since 2017. Still, I hold on to hope that one day things will change, that Haiti will be a place where people can live safely and thrive again.

In the meantime, I’m doing what I can from here, one of those things is sharing one of Haiti’s greatest sources of pride with people in Québec: Haitian coffee. Through 18SANKAT, I want to introduce folks to the richness of this coffee, its story, and most importantly, make it accessible to them.

Listen: Historically it has been black & brown women growing, roasting and serving coffee yet it's so rare to see in the third wave coffee space. What called you to this work and how does it feel to claim space in this industry?

Sandra: Yup, from growing to roasting to selling and drinking it, women have played a key role in the coffee world for a long time, but it’s something that often goes unrecognized. In major coffee-producing regions like Latin America, Africa, and Asia, women make up as much as 70% of the labor force on coffee farms. And like in many parts of the world, they also carry the weight of domestic responsibilities on top of that.

Here in Québec, we’re starting to see more and more women stepping into roasting and focusing on specialty coffee with values like transparency, traceability, and social impact at the heart of their work.

Even though we’re still a minority in this space, there’s definitely a shift happening.

When I first had the idea to launch my own specialty coffee brand in Montréal, I quickly realized that roasting is still a very male-dominated world. But honestly, that never stopped me. I actually thought it would be refreshing to bring more feminine energy into the mix. So far, I’ve felt really welcomed. Montréal’s roasters have been super supportive and genuinely excited to help me bring this project to life.

Listen: Tell us about your relationship with coffee growing up

Sandra: Coffee has been part of my life since I was pretty young. I was around eight when I started drinking café au lait at home with my parents. For us, it was totally normal to have a cup of coffee together at breakfast; it was just part of our family routine.

Later on, when I had the chance to travel to Haiti with my mom, I noticed that kids there were also served coffee in the morning. I remember thinking it tasted way stronger than what we had at home. It was richer, bolder, and had a completely different flavor. That memory really stuck with me.

Listen: Can you share the significance of the name 18SANKAT? How did your heritage influence the way you envisioned or built the brand?

Sandra: 18SANKAT (eighteen-oh-four in Haitian Creole) is the year Haiti gained its independence. But it’s more than just a date; it’s a powerful symbol of pride, resilience and the historical legacy of Haiti. Choosing this name for my coffee brand was my way of honoring the courage and determination of our ancestors who fought for freedom, while also committing to carry forward the values of liberty, equity, and justice.

Listen: Was there a particular moment that made you realise you needed to turn this idea into a Business?

Sandra: Yes! It’s actually kind of funny, the idea first came to me one morning when I ran out of coffee at home. I thought, ‘Why not switch things up and buy some Haitian coffee to support producers from back home?’ Big surprise! After doing a bit of research, I realized that Haitian coffee was almost impossible to find in Québec. That’s when I decided I wanted to change that and to introduce people here to the best of Haitian coffee.

Listen: We’ve heard there is some exciting news, you’re pregnant! How has the experience been for you so far?

Sandra: Haha yes, a beautiful surprise came into my life earlier this year! My partner and I are expecting a baby in November. I’m really excited to meet this little human, to love him/her, and to get to know who she/he is. I’m currently in my second trimester (five months), and I can tell you my first trimester was rough.

Around week five, I was diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), which is a severe form of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. While most pregnant women experience some level of morning sickness, HG is much more intense and affects about 1% of pregnancies. It often requires medical care. In my case, I had to be hospitalized to treat dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and weight loss.

It was a really tough time. I felt isolated a lot, stuck in bed with constant nausea, and I couldn’t even talk about it with friends because I hadn’t reached the three-month mark yet. Some of them were checking in regularly, worried about me, and all I could say was that I needed rest. Every morning I’d wake up and tell myself, ‘Hang in there, maybe tomorrow will be better.’ That nightmare lasted almost two months.

Now, thankfully, I’m feeling much better and I’m so grateful to be out of that dark chapter. My partner and my parents were incredibly supportive throughout, and I couldn’t have done it without them. It’s behind me now, thank God! I can finally enjoy my pregnancy and start bonding with this precious little baby growing inside me.

Listen: We know that pregnancy can be both incredibly exciting but also disorienting for some people. Is there anything you wished you had known before?

Sandra: Yup, like I just shared, pregnancy can be really tough, whether it’s unexpected challenges, changes in your body, or feelings of isolation. I think it’s so important to be surrounded by support, and to have space to talk about what you’re going through, whether that’s with loved ones or a professional. It really helps stop negative thoughts and maintain some peace of mind when things get hard.

At the same time, I’ve never been more in awe of the power of the female body. It’s honestly incredible that we have the ability to create life. It’s a privilege, and I’m so grateful for it.

Listen: Who or what has held you in this season? Do you have rituals or anchors that help you remain balanced?

Sandra: Honestly, I think my partner and my parents made all the difference in the past few months. When I was really sick, my parents checked in on me almost every day, and my partner made sure I got through each day, one step at a time. That constant love and care helped me stay positive, not get stuck in the moment, and keep hope that things would get better.

I’ve also been reading a lot about pregnancy, and I use a really great app that connects me with other pregnant women. It’s been comforting to hear from people going through the same things, it helps me feel seen and understood.

Physically, I haven’t been able to do much exercise yet, just walking for now, but I’m crossing my fingers that I’ll get my energy back soon. I also like to take a few minutes in the morning to meditate and practice deep breathing. It really helps me feel grounded and relaxed.

Listen: Has your relationship with your body shifted at all during this time? Has it changed any of your goals or processes?

Sandra: Oh, big question! I think I had a lot of anxiety about how my body would change even before I got pregnant. Now that I’m over halfway through, I’ll admit it’s been a bit disappointing not being able to stay active. I miss moving my body..a lot. But I also know that I’ll find the strength to get back to it eventually, even if it’s only after giving birth.

These physical changes are part of the process, they’re necessary for the baby’s development. I try to embrace them. They’re part of me now.

Listen: Looking at your journey so far, what does success look like to you?

Sandra: For me, success isn’t a destination, it’s a journey. When I look back to when 18SANKAT was just an idea, I remember thinking it was way too much work, that I couldn’t possibly do it on my own. And now I look at where I am and think, ‘Thank goodness I didn’t let those doubts stop me, I gave myself a chance!’

And to be fair, I wasn’t entirely wrong, it was a lot of work, and I didn’t do it alone. I met so many entrepreneurs and coffee experts who offered advice, I had an amazing mentor who helped me validate key decisions, and my support system, friends and family, really pushed me and helped me take the leap.

To me, success is made up of all the small and big wins I’ve experienced through this project. I have so many ideas for how to grow 18SANKAT, and I truly believe I’ll bring them to life when the time is right, with the right resources and support. I’m really optimistic about the future of the business, and honestly, I’m just so excited for what’s next.

Follow Sandra’s work here @cafe18sankat / cafe18sankat.com

Photography by Kim Hyacinthe & Jodie Williams

Read more from the “In Conversation with” series here