Our Story & About Us

A valuable part of the BEC team, Dany brings positive vibes and BIG energy to the cafe everyday!

Born in Havana, Cuba, Dany has learned to value the importance of hard work. She has a passion for the sea and studied marine biology. She loves dancing and music is something that brings Dany a lot of peace of mind.

An exceptional addition to the BEC team, Sarah Meyers brings lots of ENERGY and positivity to the cafe!

Sarah has a passion for traveling (she's visited 16 countries so far). She's an artist and writer who loves to paint and do journalism & graphic design. Sarah loves to live a healthy lifestyle and always tries to find new healthy recipes and stay connected with nature.

Her favorite items to indulge in while at the cafe are our (freshly baked) Argentinian empanadas and the fresh fruit smoothies.

Opened in April 2022, in a small spot off Gladiolus Drive in south Fort Myers, Big Energy embodies the spirit of owner Barby Mercado. Barby is half-Cuban and half-Dominican, with strong Hispanic roots, being a first-generation American. The cafe is family-owned. Barby's daughter, Jessica Santana, along with the rest of her loving family, have been extremely supportive and have helped her throughout her journey.

Born in Brooklyn, Mercado moved to Clewiston, FL when she was 11. That's where her parents took up farming. 

“I went from rats and cockroaches to panthers, snakes and alligators,” she said, laughing. 

“People always say I have great energy, big energy,” Mercado says. “I’ve been told that my entire life. It defines who I am.”

While Big Energy is her first restaurant, Mercado's interest in healthful eating began some 20 years ago as a mom trying to find nutritional help for her teenage daughter. She also operated a meal-prep service for several years prior.

But Big Energy isn't just about bright colors. Barby has made it her mission to provide her customers with "big energy" through the extensive menu of coffees, smoothies and a smattering of breakfast and lunch specials.

Gabriel Cintron comes with great people skills and BIG energy!

Gabriel is a wrestler, competes in DECA, BPA, and Science Olympiad competitions, is an altar server at his local church, and serves as a graduate leader for SWFL Cotillion.

Gabriel also loves to workout, go to the beach, and spend time with family/friends.

Alyza was born in California and has such VIBRANT energy! 

Alyza started gymnastics when she was 2 years old and, from there, has taken all star gymnastics classes. She has also taken 5 types of dance classes and more recently started cheerleading. Alyza loves spending quality time with her friends and loved ones, especially if it involves going to the beach!

Most importantly, Alyza loves being happy, bright, and uplifting to others and speaking about her journey with God. She prays that her personality and energy reflect the love that God has put in her heart and shows people that He can do the impossible!

Big Energy Cafe's marketing & social media manager, John Cintron, is also the cafe's first-ever team member.

John's journey with Big Energy began in 2022 when the cafe opened. John's love for a healthy & clean lifestyle, his computational & marketing skillset, and his positive energy, have made for a great addition to the team. He no longer resides in Fort Myers, as he is currently studying Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering with a minor in Applied Mathematics & Statistics on a Pre-PhD track at The Johns Hopkins University, having begun in Fall 2023. John also has a passion for songwriting.