Join We The Community for a conversation with Melissa Villanueva, owner of Brewpoint Coffee and Democratic candidate for DuPage County Board District 1. In this episode, we talk about what it means to build a business, run a campaign, and live a life grounded in your core values.

Melissa shares her journey from growing a successful local coffee business to stepping into local politics. We discuss the importance of finding your “why,” standing up for what you believe in as a small business owner, and how community impact can shape both entrepreneurship and public service.

This episode is an inspiring conversation about leadership, purpose-driven work, and the power of community. From small business ownership to civic engagement, Melissa offers insight into how values, vision, and resilience can guide your next step—whether in business, politics, or life.

In this episode we discuss:

• Building a mission-driven small business

• Finding your “why” in local politics and public service

• Standing up for your values as an entrepreneur

• The connection between community, leadership, and advocacy

• What’s next for Melissa Villanueva and her campaign

Keywords: podcast, entrepreneurship podcast, small business podcast, community leadership, local politics, civic engagement, women in business, women in leadership, small business owner story, purpose-driven leadership, community podcast, political leadership, Illinois politics, DuPage County, entrepreneurship journey