Part Two: Why We Took Over the Deli
Our Story: A Four-Part Series
Every family business has a beginning, and ours is rooted in tradition, faith, and the joy of feeding people well. In this four-part series, we’re sharing the heart behind Executive Deli & Cafe — from the people who run it to the prayers that brought it to life.
Part One: Chris & Natalie — Meet the husband-and-wife team behind the counter and on the line.
Part Two: Why We Took Over the Deli — The leap of faith, answered prayers, and vision that keeps us going.
Part Three: Our Four Kids (coming soon) — The Crew That Keeps Us Smiling
Part Four: Chris’s Parents & Banana Bread (coming soon)— The quiet support and sweet legacy that show up twice a week.
A Path We Didn’t Plan
Owning a deli wasn’t on our life plan — but looking back, every step prepared us for this moment.
A Lifelong Love of Food and Community
We’ve always been drawn to food service. I’ve always loved cooking, baking, and feeding people — a gift I’ve carried through years of homeschooling and raising our four children. Later, I worked at Classical Academy Charter School for three years, which was also the school we used for homeschooling. That experience gave me a deeper appreciation for structure, community, and the quiet ways people grow when they’re supported.
Chris’s Turning Point
Chris has always had a gift for connection. He’s the kind of person who remembers your name, your story, and your favorite sandwich. After 21 years at GEICO, he was unexpectedly let go. It was a hard moment for our family, but also a turning point. While searching for what came next, he came across a listing for Executive Deli Mex. We talked about it. We prayed about it. We visited. And we instantly fell in love.
Falling in Love with the Deli
The space was warm, inviting, and picturesque. It felt personal — like the kind of place where stories are shared over soup and friendships are built one sandwich at a time. We saw potential. Not just in the business, but in the life it could offer us. We wanted to work together. We wanted to build something that reflected our values and gave us room to grow.
Expanding the Vision
As our vision expanded, so did the name. We changed it from Executive Deli Mex to Executive Deli & Cafe — a reflection of what we hoped to create: a cozy, community-driven atmosphere with the casual charm of a coffee shop — where friendships form and regulars feel like family.
Our Logo
With our vision came our logo — more than just a design, it’s a symbol of the deli we bought and the café we’re building. It reflects our heart for tradition and hospitality, our faith at the center, and our dream of creating a space for connection.
Dreams and First Steps
Our dreams were big — smoothies, a coffee bar, expanded menus, loyalty programs. But we started small: ice cream bars, grab‑n‑go options, expanded soups, a weekly newsletter, and a partnership with Too Good To Go.
Faith at the Center
We also wanted to build something that gave us space to live out our faith — to study, prepare, and host our Friday night Bible studies. A way to serve our community while still honoring our faith, without sacrificing family time.
More Than a Business
Taking over Executive Deli & Cafe on Hotel Circle in Mission Valley wasn’t just a business decision. It was a leap of faith. A way to use what we’ve been given — our gifts, our story, our love for people — and pour it into something that feeds more than just stomachs.
Keep Reading
Back to the Beginning
Read Part One: Chris & Natalie — Meet the Husband-and-Wife Team Behind the Counter and on the Line
Our Day-to-Day Stewardship
Read: Waste Not, Welcome More — Our Partnership with Too Good To Go
Next in the Series
Our Thanksgiving Traditions — Tamales and Pumpkin Pie (coming soon)
Part Three: Our Four Kids — The Crew That Keeps Us Smiling (coming soon)