Mary Estelle Hechanova

December 9, 2024

What changed me?

My name is Estelle, and Playground Cafe is a canvas painted with stories, art, and coffee.I often found myself in cozy coffee shops, finding inspiration in their ambiance and the quiet hum of creative energy. My sister just randomly said one day—what if you just open a cafe? Then I thought of my brother who is very involved in the art community.

What if there was a place where art and coffee could merge,
where people could gather and be inspired by both?

That’s when the idea for “Playground Cafe ” began to take shape. I envisioned a space where creativity flowed as freely as the coffee, where art could be displayed and appreciated in an environment that was warm and inviting. I wanted to create a sanctuary where people could escape the daily grind, sip on a perfectly brewed latte, and lose themselves in a world of colors and textures. A playground for artists and for people who love art the most and a community that loves to share a cup of coffee with us.

Opening Playground Cafe wasn’t just about fulfilling a dream;

it was about creating a space where dreams could be shared and nurtured.

It was about giving people a place to pause, reflect, and find inspiration in the blend of art and coffee—a place where the canvas of their own lives could be enriched by the colors of creativity and the warmth of connection.

The moment that changed my life was when I traveled to several countries known for their strong coffee cultures and deep appreciation for art. While I was there, I immersed myself in the local traditions, learning about the profound connection between coffee and creativity. This experience opened my eyes to the possibility of combining these passions, which eventually led me to start my own business. That trip not only changed my career path but also reshaped how I view the world and the importance of culture in our everyday lives.

The Inspiration of opening a cafe was to be in my element: my extreme creative output; as I travelled to many countries, experiencing different cultures – I wanted to passionately create a space that fosters connection, creativity, and warmth. A place where ideas could flow freely whether through casual conversations or moments of solitude.

I sometimes honestly have no idea how I ended up where I am now, but one thing is,

I speak this big game of being true to oneself.

Growing up – I had many ambitions, flourishing into adulthood, I know how
with hard-won wisdom, that ‘being true to yourself’ is more of a luxury.

One thing about me is that I am always on, I’ve created this standard of free and forward. I’d like to think of myself as one who takes advantage of the sun’s rays. Sunny day comes, I will be boiling creativity and never once sat without my mind creating on, what is next?

I’ve encountered many pivotal moments in my life, just like how I had many ambitions growing up.

The year 2024 was a super tough year for myself, I had one of the biggest turnarounds of my life – at one point, I wanted to just ‘leave’, to just do something new in a different country, at one point it was too much to handle. I had many options, it didn’t occur to me that my family was always there at the beginning and the end of it all – they made me believe and to never forget why I started Playground and to never be afraid of taking baby steps again.

There then, I repeated to myself that, I am just like a hummingbird – despite being the smallest creature in a burning forest, I’ll always try to extinguish the flames by bringing as much water as possible.

While generously allowing myself to be a blank canvas, I have a prevailing sense of constant evolution. Trailing the path to self-possession will be a long road I will boldly take. My focus will forever embody who I am as a person. My relentless dedication and unwavering belief in bringing people together through shared passion, from initial spark of inspiration to the true countless late working days and fueled determination. A long way to go, and I know this very well – all I know,