Zakiya Moss shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Zakiya, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
Drip Queen Coffee is like an iceberg; people think we are just a “coffee shop”, but we are an entire brand built on purpose, discipline, and experience. What most people don’t see beneath the surface is the structure, like the manufacturing, the FDA-registered facility, the national distribution channels, the wholesale partnerships, the community work, and the creative force that drives it all.
When people walk into our café, they might see warm lighting, velvet seating, and dessert-flavored cold brews that feel like indulgence in a cup. But behind that, we’ve spent years building a legitimate beverage company that ships across the U.S and Hawaii., works with four major Food Supply Distributors, and now produces our own Latte-ish™ line of cold brew coffee.
Drip Queen Coffee isn’t about caffeine; it’s about lifestyle. It’s about consistency, rebellion with grace, and giving people something that feels personal. Every decision, from sustainable packaging to mental health advocacy, reflects how we want our community to feel seen and valued.
So when people say, ‘Oh, I love your coffee shop,’ I smile. Because yes, it’s a cafe & lounge, but it’s also a movement, a story of growth, and a blueprint for what passion looks like when it’s done with purpose.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Zakiya S. Moss, and I’m the co-owner and co-founder of Drip Queen Coffee, a brand that was born from compassion, courage, and a need to create something that fills people’s cups in more ways than one.
Before becoming an entrepreneur, I worked as a licensed paramedic. My background is in emergency medicine, and I spent years helping people through some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. That experience shaped everything about how I lead — I learned how to stay calm in chaos, make quick decisions, and see the person before the situation.
I’m the oldest child of Arlene Rajkot and Tim Roberts, and by tragedy, I’m their only living child together. My brother, Hasani C. Roberts, was killed in a rollover car accident in 1997. He’s the reason I became a paramedic, and in many ways, he’s also the reason Drip Queen Coffee exists. His passing taught me that every heartbeat, every connection, every purpose we chase should matter.
Drip Queen Coffee is multi-layered — just like me. You can’t put it in a box. We started under a tent, serving cold brew at community events, and grew into a nationally distributed brand with partnerships through Sysco Marketplace, McLane, US Foods Direct, Faire, and Mable, as well as a brand-new Café & Lounge in Colorado Springs. Our signature Latte-ish™ Dessert Cold Brews are now shipped nationwide, and our Velvet Slipper CBD Tea and Purple Slipper CBD Coffee carry the same balance of indulgence and wellness that defines our philosophy.
What makes us special isn’t just what’s in the cup — it’s the care behind it. Every sip reflects our values of quality, consistency, and service. We’re an FDA-registered, Colorado Proud, BBB Accredited with Distinction, and 1% for the Planet company because we believe business should make people feel good and do good.
Currently, I’m focused on expanding the Drip Queen Coffee Café & Lounge experience — creating a space that feels like a blend between a jazz lounge and a sanctuary for connection. For me, coffee is more than a drink. It’s a way to heal, to create, and to remind people that peace and caffeine can coexist beautifully.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
Without question — my honey, Russell Moss. He’s my husband, my business partner, and truly the yin to my yang. Before I ever believed I could turn my vision into something tangible, he already saw it — the brand, the potential, the purpose behind it all.
We balance each other perfectly. I’m the dreamer who’s constantly sketching the next big idea on napkins, and he’s the strategist who figures out how to make it real. We’re equal parts silly and nice — the kind of team that can go from cracking jokes in the kitchen to mapping out national distribution plans in the same breath.
Russell has this quiet way of grounding me without ever dimming my fire. He reminds me that it’s okay to be bold and still have grace, to take up space and still lead with heart. Drip Queen Coffee wouldn’t exist in the way it does without his faith, his patience, and the way he always, always saw me — even before I fully saw myself
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Absolutely. This journey is long, and it can feel lonely even when people surround you. There were moments when exhaustion and self-doubt hit harder than I expected — when I questioned if all the sacrifice, the sleepless nights, the constant push to build something meaningful was worth it.
However, in those moments, I always returned to gratitude. I’m blessed to have both of my parents still here, cheering me on. And my five children — they’re my heartbeat. They remind me why I started this in the first place. Each of them has seen me fight for a dream, and I want them to know what perseverance looks like in real time.
There were days when it felt like the vision was bigger than the resources, when the weight of entrepreneurship pressed hard. But giving up was never truly an option. I allowed myself to rest, pray, and refocus. Every setback became a classroom. Every challenge built resilience.
So yes, I’ve had moments when I almost gave up — but I’ve also had moments when grace stepped in. And that’s what keeps me going: knowing that what we’re building with Drip Queen Coffee is bigger than us. It’s a legacy, a testimony, and a reminder that purpose always outlasts pressure.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Both of my parents served active duty in the Air Force during the eighties, so my brother and I grew up as military children. We learned early what it meant to be the new kid, to adapt, and to start over again and again. That kind of upbringing taught me how to read people fast, how to blend when needed, and how to stand tall when it mattered.
When I married Russell and he served active duty, the cycle started again—new bases, new faces, new beginnings. But this time, I made a promise to myself. I told myself I would show up as my full, authentic self. No performing. No code-switching. No shrinking to fit a space that wasn’t designed for me.
The public version of me is the real me. The same woman who laughs loud, cries hard, and leads with purpose is the same woman my team, my customers, and my family see every day. My ‘yes’ means yes, my ‘no’ means no, and I have no room for impostor syndrome. I’ve lived enough versions of myself to know that the truest one is the most powerful.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say I was bold enough to live life on my own terms, that I stood tall, even though I’m only five-four. I met my struggles head-on and refused to let my mental battles define me.
If someone were to tell my story, I want them to say, ‘She never folded. She fought through it with grace, humor, and a little fire.’
My legacy is my family. Everything I build, every risk I take, every early morning and late night, is for them. I want my children to know that strength doesn’t always roar. Sometimes it’s quiet, steady, and patient.
Failure was never an option for me—not because I never failed, but because I never stayed there. I got up, adjusted my crown, and kept walking. If people remember me for anything, let it be that I lived fully, loved deeply, and left behind proof that resilience can be a beautiful thing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dripqueencoffee.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dripqueencoffee
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dripqueencoffee/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/drip-queen-coffee-colorado-springs
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dripqueencoffee
Image Credits
Drip Queen Coffee
