Community Highlights: Meet Amber Poupore of Cacao Tree Cafe

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber Poupore.

Hi Amber, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My journey really began at 18, when I made the life-changing decision to adopt a plant-based lifestyle. That shift not only transformed my health but became the foundation for my life’s work. After spending a few years in the pacific northwest being immersed in a different lifestyle, I wanted to continue learning and growing. I started working at Inn Season Café—one of the longest-standing vegetarian restaurants in the country—where I spent 11 years growing in every role from front of house to the kitchen, eventually leading events and catering. It was a deeply formative time that gave me a strong sense of purpose and the confidence to launch my own ventures.
In 2010, I opened Cacao Tree Café in downtown Royal Oak, a vibrant plant-based café known for its fresh, nutrient-dense menu and community-driven atmosphere. Later in 2013, I opened The Clean Plate in Shelby Township, expanding my vision and reach. Then in 2016, I opened my own catering and food production facility. while consulting GreenSpace Café, another pioneering plant-based restaurant. Along the way, I worked on the Navajo Nation for Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) and with the Plant Based Nutrition Support Group (PBNSG), helping provide nourishing meals at their events, as well as collaboration with medical students at Wayne State, MSU, and the University of Michigan, sharing the power of food as medicine.
My work has always spanned both guest services and food service while education has been a key thread. After completing my teacher development training at the Detroit Waldorf School in 2006, I began teaching cooking classes which started right there with the students and parents. I continued to offer classes at General Motors, hospitals, community centers, universities, and beyond until 2020.
At the end of 2018 I unexpectedly lost the lease at The Clean Plate forcing me to close my thriving business of 5 years. That circumstance forced the difficult decision to then close my commercial kitchen in January of 2020. I was absolutely devastated but when COVID hit, like many others, I was forced to slow down and reassess my personal values. I turned inward and focused solely on sustaining Cacao Tree, which became my anchor through the upheaval. In 2024, I completed the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program, which helped reignite my entrepreneurial drive and begin to rebuild my self-assurance.
Now, I’m embarking on a new chapter: launching Herban Grounds, a community-centered coffee concept rooted in wellness, connection, and sustainability—right in my own neighborhood of Saint Clair Shores. Offering a vegetarian food menu. This is the culmination of years of experience, healing from the losses of my past businesses, and a recommitment to creating meaningful spaces that nourish both body and spirit. I have been spending time taking educational courses on coffee entrepreneurship while continuing my education and building my confidence, as well as inspiring leadership seminars at Zingerman’s. I am very excited about the future!

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?
It has definitely been a difficult journey. Almost immediately after signing the lease for Cacao Tree Café, I took on a partner—something that proved to be a mistake and a costly one. Fortunately, the partnership ended within six months, but it triggered a tax issue with the state that took years to resolve through ongoing payments and negotiations.

Building everything from scratch, maintaining high labor costs, and refusing to compromise the integrity of my ingredients has been a constant challenge. It’s required deep personal sacrifice, especially because my profit margins have always been very limited.

I became a business owner out of passion, hard work, and determination—but I knew very little about the business side of things at the time. I’ve always been a natural leader and strong at building a positive workplace culture, but I’ve struggled with the financials and the mountain of paperwork that comes with ownership. My business has never been able to afford the kind of administrative support many companies rely on, so much of that responsibility has fallen entirely on me.

Before COVID, the personal sacrifice of time was immense. I missed countless important events—especially on weekends. As anyone in the hospitality industry knows, weekends are when we work, and I often had to cover shifts to give my team time off. The business always had to come first. But since the pandemic, and with just one location to focus on, I’ve been able to build an incredible team. I’m so grateful for the many long-term employees and returning staff who’ve helped make things more manageable. For the first time in a long time, I’ve been able to take time for myself, travel a bit, and regain some balance.

As I mentioned earlier, I also experienced the unexpected loss of a lease—my busiest location and the one with the best margins. It happened just after I had purchased a brand-new catering van and was positioned for growth. Losing it threw my life and businesses into chaos. It was devastating. I cried for months and was left with a crushing amount of debt, facing it all alone. It took me years to heal from that loss, both emotionally and financially.

We’ve been impressed with Cacao Tree Cafe, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Cacao Tree Café is a vibrant, plant-based eatery located in downtown Royal Oak, Michigan. Since opening in 2010, we’ve been committed to offering nourishing, whole-food meals that are thoughtfully crafted to support wellness, sustainability, and a deep respect for all living beings. Everything we serve is made in-house from scratch, using organic ingredients whenever possible. Our menu is almost entirely gluten-free, dairy-free, and soy-free, with raw and oil-free options available—something that truly sets us apart in the plant-based food space.
We specialize in nutrient-dense meals, decadent superfood smoothies, and handmade soups and desserts that are as nourishing as they are delicious. Our customers come to us for food they can feel good about eating—made with intention, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to quality. We’re known not only for our food but also for the welcoming, grounded energy of our space. It’s a place where people come to feel seen, nourished, and supported on their wellness and personal journey.
What makes Cacao Tree truly unique is our consistent dedication to ingredient integrity. We never use refined or artificial ingredients, additives or preservatives. Every recipe is created with care to support a variety of dietary needs—whether someone is managing an allergy, healing a condition, or simply striving to eat more consciously.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of the trust we’ve built with our community over the years. We’ve become a reliable source of clean, wholesome food in a world where that’s not always easy to find. Our customers know that when they walk through our doors, they’re getting food made with love and intention by a team that truly cares.
I want readers to know that Cacao Tree isn’t just a café—it’s a mission-driven space rooted in connection, compassion, and conscious living. Whether you’re grabbing a smoothie, enjoying a nourishing meal, or simply stopping in to feel the vibe, we’re here to support your wellness—mind, body, and spirit.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Ted Talks!

Personal héros – Alice Waters, Michael Pollan, Dan Barber, Jamie Oliver, John Robbins, Michael Greger

Avid reader of cookbooks and recipes online (some personal favorites Emily von Euw & Angela Liddon)

Leadership Books – Ari Weinzweig, Founder of Zingerman’s Community of Businesses and author and speaker

Goldman Sachs 10K Small Business Alumni network

Contact Info:

• Website: https://cacaotreecafe.com
• Instagram: cacaotreecafe
• Facebook: cacaotreecafe