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How It All Started
Cup of JoeY was created for the 2021 Houston Tech Rodeo by Joey Sanchez because of his innate talent for bring people together. Starting as a morning coffee networking event at Finn Hall at only the Houston Tech Rodeo week, Joey realized the impact and jumped at the opportunity and need to make Cup of JoeY a weekly Friday gathering, drawing thousands to date. Joey's unparalleled ability to connect people with purpose is his "Y."
Today, Cup of Joey's reach extends far beyond its origins, with meetups flourishing in locations across Houston, TX including Sugar Land Town Square, The Cannon West, The Woodlands, the Houston Space Center, and ion. Each expansion echoes Joey's passion for meaningful connections, embodied in the symbolic "Y" of Cup of JoeY, as attendees are encouraged to reflect on their purpose with Joey's trademark question, "What is your Y?"
MEET THE TEAM
MEET OUR FOUNDER | JOEY SANCHEZ
An entrepreneurial spirit with a boundless optimism and charismatic leadership style, Joey made significant contributions to Houston's growing startup ecosystem. Through roles at organizations like the Greater Houston Partnership, Houston Exponential, and ion he has spearheaded initiatives to foster growth in the city.
In 2015, Joey and his wife Kelly's curiosity during a bike ride led to the creation of the Blue Tile Project, celebrating Houston's unique blue tile street signs. Joey's dedication to fostering connections also led to the creation of Cup of Joey.
Outside of work, Joey cherishes time with his family, enjoys soccer and sailing, and continues to advocate for the vibrant culture of Houston.
Our COJ Ambassadors.
The Cup of Joey Ambassadors collaborate closely with founder, Joey Sanchez, to promote the COJ brand throughout the Houston area, organizing regular and specialty events across the city. Originally all attendees, they were inspired by the COJ "Y"and now actively contribute to its expansion and community engagement efforts.
Adrian Leal
Houston Space Center
The Cannon- West
Special Events
Social Media
Bryan Hill
The Woodlands
Special Events
Social Media
Melissa Mezzari, PhD
Sugar Land Town Square