Today we’d like to introduce you to Sebastian Abril.
Hi Sebastian, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Our Presotea journey began with my wife Elise, my brother-in-law Derrick, and me. In our last Voyage interview, we focused on the “brother and sister” dynamic between Elise and Derrick, which was fun, but it also left some readers thinking they were married! For the record, they are siblings, and the three of us run this business together.
We opened our first Presotea location in August 2021 at the tail end of the pandemic. At the time, we thought our biggest challenge would be figuring out how to get people to come inside. Instead, we faced a combination of global supply chain issues, shifting economic conditions, and the task of building brand awareness in a new market, all while fielding doubts from people who questioned whether we had made the right investment.
We believe deeply in Utah and its community. This state has given us a home, friendships, and a sense of belonging, and we felt strongly about investing right back into it. From day one, our community showed up for us. That is why we are proud to sponsor local organizations such as Junction Dance Co. and the Alta High School football team, and we hope to expand our sponsorships in the future.
In February 2024 we opened our second location in St. George, Utah. This came about thanks to Jose Aquino, who was originally a regular at our Midvale store. He visited almost every weekend to study Presotea and compare it to other brands. His dedication led him to open his own franchise, and today he is not only a great business owner but also part of our extended family. Like us, he runs Presotea alongside his main career as a contractor.
The Presotea brand itself has been thriving for nearly 20 years with more than 400 locations worldwide. Built on quality, authenticity, and community engagement, we are proud to have brought this global brand to Utah and made it our own.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Brand awareness has been one of our biggest challenges. Once people come through the door, they love Presotea, but even after almost four years we still meet locals who are only now discovering our shop. On top of that, changes in the economy from year to year have influenced how people choose to spend their money.
We are in a competitive landscape that is not necessarily about taste or quality but about capturing attention in an overwhelming world of social media. It is a constant effort to stay visible and connect with customers in meaningful ways while staying true to our brand.
One example that stands out was during our first winter in business. Sales dipped, foot traffic slowed, and every day felt like a battle to get noticed. Instead of cutting back, we doubled down on community engagement — sponsoring a local dance performance, handing out samples at events, and personally inviting people to visit. Those small, personal connections became the start of lasting customer relationships and reminded us that growth often comes one conversation at a time.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Derrick Vu
Derrick brings years of experience in technical operations and leadership from his time as Senior Regional RF Technician with Dial Tone Communications in California. His work included overseeing complex network optimization projects for clients such as Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T. Derrick specialized in coordinating multi-state technical teams, training new district managers in leadership fundamentals, and ensuring high standards through ISO900 technical compliance. His ability to manage both the technical and human sides of large-scale operations has been a cornerstone of our Presotea team’s discipline and consistency.
Elise Abril
Elise has built her career on financial leadership and operational strategy. Starting in mortgage processing at GreenLight Financial Services, she later became Senior Controller at Affordable Overnight and Same Day, where she restructured financial operations, implemented cost-saving measures, and drove sustained growth. After relocating to Utah in 2014, she brought her expertise to ProClean Windows, overseeing CRM deployments, incentive programs, and financial audits for a multimillion-dollar operation. Elise’s precision in managing budgets and streamlining processes ensures Presotea remains financially healthy while still investing in community growth.
Sebastian Abril
Sebastian began in logistics with a California-based startup, Interlink Forwarding, where he implemented cloud-based systems that supported rapid growth across air, ocean, and warehouse services. He went on to lead air freight operations for Deutsche Post DHL Group in Salt Lake City, rebuilding their import and export structure and later managing the region’s top-performing station. Today, Sebastian serves as Director of Airfreight Strategy and Development at the Utah Inland Port Authority, where he focuses on strengthening Utah’s position as a global logistics hub. His background in building operational frameworks and forging strategic partnerships directly influences how Presotea approaches growth, scalability, and long-term sustainability.
What sets our team apart is the diversity of our professional backgrounds — technical operations, financial leadership, and global logistics — all working together to run a local business with world-class standards. We are most proud of creating a space that consistently delivers quality products and genuine community connections, while operating with the same attention to detail and strategic vision that has guided our individual careers. This combination means that every drink we serve, every interaction with a guest, and every decision we make is backed by the same level of care, precision, and commitment that has defined our work for decades.
How do you define success?
Our parents are super proud of us! Seeing their smiles is what keeps us moving forward; they’ve been our biggest supporters from day 1 and continue to support us on the journey ahead. Success to us is being able to share this journey with them.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/presotea.west/
