Her Story
About Sara
Sara Bustos is an entrepreneur, hospitality professional, and community builder who is the owner of Mugs & Magick LLC in Lansing, Illinois. Combining the warmth of a neighborhood coffee shop with the unique offerings of a metaphysical retail boutique, she has created a welcoming space where customers can enjoy handcrafted beverages while exploring crystals, candles, herbs, teas, incense, and spiritual tools. Her vision extends beyond retail, emphasizing education, connection, and inclusivity through workshops, community events, and partnerships with local organizations.
With more than 20 years of experience in hospitality and customer service, Sara has built a career grounded in leadership, operational excellence, and people-focused service. She advanced through management roles in the restaurant and coffee industries, developing expertise in team leadership, labor management, food safety, and customer experience. In parallel, she spent more than a decade in healthcare, serving as a staffing coordinator, medical assistant, mental health worker, and patient representative. These roles strengthened her skills in patient care, scheduling, staff development, HIPAA compliance, and healthcare operations while reinforcing her ability to lead with empathy and attention to detail.
Sara's diverse background has enabled her to blend business acumen with a passion for creating meaningful experiences. She continues to grow Mugs & Magick by focusing on quality ingredients, authentic customer relationships, and community engagement. A vendor with Northwest Indiana Pagan Pride and an active participant in the Lansing Library Community Roots program, she remains committed to supporting local initiatives while encouraging aspiring entrepreneurs to embrace continuous learning, resilience, and the confidence to pursue their vision despite challenges.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Sara
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my willingness to continuously learn and grow. I've taken the initiative to research, adapt, and develop my skills along the way, often figuring things out independently. That commitment to self-improvement, persistence, and learning through experience has been the foundation of my success.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I haven't had formal mentors throughout my career, so the best advice I've followed has come from my own experiences. I've learned to ask questions, seek out information, and never stop learning. As a business owner and entrepreneur, I've found that being resourceful, adaptable, and willing to figure things out on my own has been one of the greatest contributors to my growth.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't be discouraged if the journey feels challenging—it will be, but it's absolutely worth it. Believe in yourself, stay persistent, and don't let setbacks define you. Confidence in your abilities and a willingness to keep moving forward will take you further than you may realize.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field right now is competing with larger national chains that are expanding into our local area. Their brand recognition makes it more difficult for smaller, growing businesses to stand out and attract customers. At the same time, it presents an opportunity to differentiate ourselves by building strong relationships with our community, delivering exceptional service, and offering a more personal customer experience.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that matter most to me are authenticity, community, inclusion, quality, and kindness. I believe a business should offer more than just products—it should create a welcoming space where people feel respected, connected, and valued. I'm also committed to using quality ingredients and thoughtfully sourced whole-food products because I believe customers deserve healthier, high-quality options they can trust.
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