Marian and Andreea decided to make a change to their lives after moving to Liverpool
Marian and Andreea Dragulin, owners of Sophia Coffee and Bistro(Image: Liverpool Echo)
A couple who dreamed of becoming their own bosses are celebrating one year in business. Sophia Coffee & Bistro opened its doors in West Derby one year ago after owners Marian and Andreea Dargulin moved over one thousand miles away from their home in Romania to the UK.
The couple fell in love 13 years ago and have been married for six. Originally from Romania, Marian worked as a waiter for 10 years, while Andrea worked with children with disabilities.
They moved to England seven years ago, facing early challenges with the language and accent. Marian became a delivery driver for five years, while Andrea worked in hotels and restaurants, eventually becoming a supervisor.
On moving to the UK, Marian told the ECHO: “The country was very difficult and it was hard at the beginning with the language and accent. It was a very hard start but we’re doing much better now.”
The couple decided to become their own bosses and took the plunge back into the hospitality industry with a venue they could call their own. Marian added: “We decided to make a change to our lives. We wanted to work for ourselves and be our own boss. Bring a little bit of Romania here.”
Marian and Andreea Dragulin, owners of Sophia Coffee and Bistro on East Prescot Road(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Sophia Coffee & Bistro, which was named after their four-year-old daughter, opened and just recently celebrated its first birthday. Business was slow at the beginning but once word of mouth spread, Marian and Andreea built a relationship with the community.
Marian said: “It was very exciting and a little bit crazy. It was a challenge for us to see if we can be our own boss. We found it difficult in the first year but we’re here now and it’s much better, especially when you have more customers!”
Despite their Romanian roots, the café has its menu firmly planted in British palates with full English fry ups, burgers and Sunday roasts.
Andreea said: “We came into the business with something for everybody. People didn’t know us our our brand at the beginning and now they come inside just to chat. Word of mouth was very good for us. Feedback from people has been very good and it’s nice that people like us and what we offer.”
Sophia Coffee and Bistro recently celebrated its first birthday(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Customers call in on a regular basis and have become almost like family over the last 12 months. Marian said: “We find we have more friends with our customers than we do by ourselves. Neighbours come in and we started building relationships with everyone close by and from far away.”
“In the beginning, working together was a little bit strange but very nice because when you work for the same team with the same dream it’s brilliant.” Andreea said: “We’re so proud of what we’ve done together.”
Sophia Coffee and Bistro (Image: Liverpool Echo)
The community made sure to stop by and celebrate the cafe’s first birthday with presents, flowers and cards. Andrea said: “It was emotional for us to see all of the support. People said they remembered us from the day we opened so it was nice hearing their stories.”
Their daughter Sophia also stops by on a regular basis to keep tabs on mum and dad. Marian said: “If she’s here she’s very friendly and hugging everybody, bothering them but in a friendly way.”
You can find Sophia Coffee & Bistro at 283-285 E Prescot Rd, Liverpool L14 2DB.