Meet Lydia McGlaun | Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lydia McGlaun and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lydia, what makes you happy? Why?
With Mystic Brew, the idea wasn’t to just create a cafe, but I want to create a space where people feel seen, even if it’s just for a few minutes while they are holding a drink. I am starting small at markets and events, and what I found wasn’t just customers, it was community. People who were once strangers became familiar faces, then became friends. Other small business owners started rooting for me in ways I never expected, and that kind of support changed how I see everything I do.

There are days when I don’t always feel my best, but when I’m at a market and I hand someone a drink and they smile, or I hear that it made their day a little better, something in me shifts. Those small moments remind me why I started. It’s not really about coffee or tea but instead about care. It’s about the feeling that even something small, like a conversation or a drink made with intention, can brighten someone’s day in a real way.

My happiness comes from that exchange. From giving something simple and receiving something just as meaningful in return. And my goal with The Mystic Brew is to keep building that one drink, one conversation, one moment of connection at a time.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Mystic Brew started as something small at markets and events, but it quickly became something much bigger than I originally imagined. What I’m most proud of is not just the drinks or the brand itself, but the community that has grown from it. People who were once strangers have become familiar faces, supporters, and even friends. That sense of connection is what I value most, and it’s what I want Mystic Brew to always be rooted in.

Getting here wasn’t easy. I’m still very much in the process of building everything while also navigating life in my mid-twenties; trying to figure things out personally while also trying to grow a business from the ground up. There have been challenges, setbacks, and moments where I’ve had to push through doubt and uncertainty. But I’ve learned how to keep going even when things feel overwhelming, because I genuinely believe in what I’m creating.

I’m still learning every day about business, about myself, and about how to balance both. What keeps me grounded is knowing that Mystic Brew is bigger than me. It’s not just about me succeeding, it’s about creating a space where people feel safe, comfortable, and welcomed, even if it’s just for a moment in their day.

Right now, I’m focused on continuing to grow through markets and events, but my goal is to have a permanent café location by next year. From there, I want to expand what Mystic Brew can give back, whether that’s hosting community events, or eventually being able to raise money and support animal shelters, domestic violence shelters, and other causes that matter to me.

At its core, Mystic Brew is about care, connection, and intention. I want people to know that it was built with heart, through real life experiences, and with the hope of creating something that makes people feel seen and supported, because that’s what I’ve always wanted to give back to the world.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend was visiting, I’d want them to experience a mix of good food, nature, live music, and the local spots that really feel like home to me.

We’d start the week slow with one of my favorite comfort meals, pho at Remton. It’s one of those places that just feels grounding, like you can sit, eat, and reset a bit while catching up on everything.

Another day we’d spend outdoors at Exploration Green. I love walking the 6-mile trail there because it’s peaceful, spacious, and you can actually see wildlife in a really safe, calm environment. It’s the kind of place where you can talk for hours without realizing how much time has passed.

For a more social, cozy evening, we’d go to Seabrook Cheese Co. It has such a warm vibe, wine, charcuterie boards, live music, and sometimes markets hosted by BrunchParty. It’s the kind of place where you can just relax, laugh, and stay longer than you planned.

We’d also make a stop at Galveston Bay Brewery for a laid-back afternoon or sunset. The views of the water are beautiful, and it’s perfect for a good burger and an easy, fun hangout.

Music is a big part of how I like to experience a city, so I’d definitely take them to places with live shows. Neighbors is one of my favorites for jazz nights, it has such a good energy, and I’d also take them to see BrokynHartz perform live somewhere in EADO because the local music scene here always brings such a creative, alive feeling to the city.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
This one feels important to me because I don’t think my story belongs to just me.

My shoutout goes to a lot of people, because Mystic Brew, and honestly the version of me that’s still standing today was shaped through a lot of different kinds of love, support and even quiet moments of encouragement I didn’t always know I needed at the time.

First, my family. My parents have been a constant foundation in my life, even in ways they may not realize. Just having people who have been there through every version of me especially the times I doubted myself has meant more than I can ever fully explain.

My best friends also deserve so much credit. They’ve reminded me who I am when I’ve felt lost in my own head, and they supported my ideas even when they were just small thoughts or dreams that didn’t seem possible.

Then there’s my market vendor family and the small business community I’ve been so lucky to step into. These are people who started out as strangers and have now become my support system. They’ve shown me what it means to be rooted for without conditions. This kind of encouragement changes you and makes you believe in yourself in a way you can’t force alone.

I also want to recognize every customer who has ever stopped by my booth, smiled at me, told me a drink made their day, or simply shared a moment of conversation. Those interactions might seem small, but they’ve been everything to me. They reminded me that I do have something to offer, even on the days I didn’t feel like I did.

All of these people have shifted something inside me. They’ve helped me remember who I am, and more importantly what I am capable of becoming. The Mystic Brew exists because of this collective belief in me, and I carry all of them with me in every cup I make.

Instagram: @themysticbrew777

Facebook: The Mystic Brew