MY EXIT PLAN - JACE
Help Me Escape: The Exit Plan
The US has become an increasingly hostile place for me as a Mexican, trans, and queer individual. I’m ready to leave, but I need your help to make it happen. My goal is simple: get out of here while I still can.
My Journey: From Dreamer to Exit Plan
My journey as a barista began back in the dorms at Humboldt State University (now Cal Poly Humboldt) in 2017. My friends and I — all queer folks — were anxiously discussing what our futures would look like under a potential Trump presidency. (Spoiler alert: it happened. And now, he's at it again.) We talked about community, about preserving spaces where we could be ourselves, and for whatever reason, opening a cafe seemed like a way to contribute to that.
At the time, I was 17. I didn’t know much about coffee, but I loved baking. Throughout middle and high school, I hustled to make money by selling baked goods since my parents didn’t provide much financial support. That summer before college, I sold baked goods and hand-screen printed Pokémon Go shirts in the park to fund my education. I needed to get out of my conservative hometown of Bakersfield, especially after realizing I was trans.
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I always say, “moving 500 miles away from home still wasn’t enough, so I moved to Japan when I was 18.” But honestly, I moved because my mom and step dad thought I was delusional for dreaming of studying abroad in Japan. So, I made it happen. On March 2, 2017, I was admitted to Waseda University. On March 13, 2017, I began testosterone. Those two days were the start of my life as I know it.
In Japan, I immersed myself in the world of coffee, dedicating myself to learning everything I could. I met my chosen family, found peace, and discovered what it meant to live authentically. But when I returned to the US, I was faced with the familiar grind of university life. Just as I was about to launch my coffee event catering business, the pandemic hit, and my plans fell apart. Since then, I’ve been working in small cafes, managing and serving, but it’s no longer enough.
The truth is, I can’t do it anymore. Making just enough to pay my bills is getting me nowhere. The political climate, the increasing hostility toward people like me — it’s become too much. I can’t afford to stay stuck in this system.
My dreams have shifted. I don’t dream of wild success anymore; I dream of a simple life of peace and safety. And this business, The Exit Plan, is my way out. It’s not just a matcha cart — it’s my future, and it’s my chance to find a life where I can thrive, not just survive.
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The Plan:
The Exit Plan (or EP for short) is a matcha cart I’m starting in Richmond, VA to raise money for my escape. This cart is not just about selling matcha — it’s about building a future and raising funds for a bigger dream: opening a Mexican cafe in Tokyo, Japan.
Why a Mexican cafe in Japan? Over the years, my pride in my Mexican culture has only grown stronger, especially as I’ve watched how Mexican communities have come together in the face of ICE raids and political persecution. There’s a sense of solidarity and resilience in my culture that I want to celebrate and share with the world, particularly in Japan. I believe a Mexican cafe in Tokyo will not only honor my heritage, but also create a space where people can experience the warmth and flavor of Mexican culture in a place where it’s not as widely represented.
Alongside this, I’ll be using my business degree and my experience in small business startups to assist others who want to make their own escape plans. I know what it takes to launch a business, and I want to help people like me — especially trans individuals — navigate the process of building their own exit plans and emigrate to a safer place. The Exit Plan isn’t just about my journey; it’s about creating a support network for others who are seeking a better future.
While I will be using the matcha cart as my primary means of fundraising, I have a GoFundMe campaign will serve as a supplementary source of support to help me reach my $80,000 goal.
Once I’ve raised the funds I need, the matcha cart won’t be just mine anymore. I plan to pass it on to another trans person who wants to emigrate. They’ll receive my client list, marketing support, and help setting up their own exit plan.
The Bigger Vision:
This won’t be a one-time thing. The goal is for the business to continue changing hands in a cycle of support and solidarity among trans people who are looking for a way out. Once one person has raised their funds and made the leap, the cart will be passed on again.
Together, we’ll create a network of exit plans — a lifeline for those who need it most.
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If you're unable to support me by buying a drink, please consider donating to my GoFundMe and sharing.
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​DONATE HERE
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