“We couldn’t find a coffee shop that felt like home, so we made one.”
That was the simple, earnest beginning behind Sonder Coffee Lounge—a small café tucked off-road in a red barn in Driftwood, Texas that’s become an unexpected mainstay in its community. Sonder wasn’t born out of a desire to start a business; it began as a mission to create a space where people could slow down, connect, and feel seen. Coffee just happened to be the medium.
A Third Place, Off the Beaten Path
Sonder is located in isn’t in a bustling downtown strip or a walkable commercial hub. It’s out of the way, but that hasn’t stopped it from becoming a local favorite. The charm isn’t just in the espresso; it’s in the feeling. Customers linger for hours, working remotely, striking up conversations, and greeting familiar faces with easy warmth. The owner, Brandy, has created more than a coffee shop—she’s built a third place. A space between home and work, where community doesn’t just happen, it’s nurtured.
The name Sonder comes from the realization that every passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own. It’s a fitting name for a café that asks people to pause, to notice, to care.
People First. Always.
Brandy is clear about what drives Sonder’s success: putting people at the center of everything.
“You absolutely can build an incredible business this way,” she says. “And I encourage it—because customers can feel that. They’ll become your biggest advocates and advertisers.”
That philosophy extends to how she runs her team, too. Sonder sells locally made bouquets, candles, and branded merchandise, all crafted by people in the community. The goal isn’t just to sell coffee—it’s to support the lives and stories around her.
Why Operations Should Be Invisible
Running a people-first café isn’t easy. But it becomes a lot more sustainable when you’re not buried in backend admin. That’s where Dripos comes in.
“The best part of Dripos is that I don’t have to think about using it,” Brandy explains. “It just works. I get to focus on what actually matters—our customers—instead of spending my day fixing scheduling issues or wrangling payroll.”
Dripos’ all-in-one platform streamlines everything from inventory management and scheduling to payroll and point-of-sale. For small teams like Sonder’s, having all these tools integrated in one system means fewer hours behind the screen and more energy invested in building community.
Real Support, Not Just Software
When Brandy needed help troubleshooting an issue, a Dripos team member stopped by the café in person. That moment stuck with her, not just because the problem was resolved quickly, but because it reinforced something rare: a company that genuinely cares.
“I call the customer service line anytime I have a question,” she says. “And I always speak with someone who actually understands my business. It’s not outsourced. It’s not a script. I can tell Dripos is truly invested in supporting us.”
That level of service—responsive, human, and thoughtful—echoes Sonder’s own approach to hospitality. It’s a natural partnership.
Building a Business That Reflects Your Values
For Sonder, success isn’t measured by speed of service or ticket averages. It’s measured by how welcome people feel walking through the door. And when your values are baked into your brand—from the barista’s warmth to the software behind the scenes—people notice.
If you’re a café owner looking to build something with heart, Brandy’s advice is simple: take care of your people, and let the profit follow. The right tools, like Dripos, will make the rest feel natural.