Kartika Zhuang | Class of 2014
Owner, At Home Coffee Co
House: De Vialar
Careers Week Spotlight: Creating Community Through Coffee
Looking back at her school days at Corpus Christi College, Kartika Zhuang was always drawn to Human Biology. Her fascination with anatomy began early and ultimately led her to study Anatomy and Physiology at UWA after graduating.
Mathematics also became a subject she grew to appreciate, thanks to the guidance of Mr Hackett and Mr Green, whose teaching helped complex concepts make sense. Kartika also fondly remembers her homeroom teacher, Mr Ramshaw (De Vialar), whose warmth and energy left a lasting impression.
A journey shaped by passion, craft and faith
Since leaving Corpus Christi College, Kartika’s life has been a blend of study, coffee and faith. She began working as a barista in Year 10 and continued working in cafés throughout her university years.
What started as a part‑time job quickly grew into a passion. Kartika loved the craft of coffee making — from baking and latte art to connecting with regular customers.
“There’s something deeply human about café culture,” she reflects, “and that always spoke to me.”
While the idea of owning her own café came and went over the years, the dream never fully left her.
The birth of At Home Coffee Co.
By the end of 2023, everything aligned. Kartika, who is deeply involved in her church community, became aware of a vacant building next door to the church. After exploring different possibilities, the idea emerged to create a space purpose‑built for community connection.
With the backing of the church and a great deal of hard work, At Home Coffee Co was brought to life.
The Corpus Spirit
The café’s name reflects its guiding vision: “A home for all, made new for His purpose.”
Kartika wanted the space to feel warm, welcoming and familiar — like an extension of someone’s living room. The interior features soft curves, natural earth tones, wooden benchtops, exposed beams and warm lighting, creating an environment where people can relax, connect and feel a sense of belonging.
Behind the scenes of café life
No two days are the same at At Home Coffee Co. When rostered on the floor, Kartika can be found behind the machine pulling shots, baking cakes and chatting with customers. Other days are spent managing admin, ordering stock, liaising with suppliers and coordinating a small but passionate team.
“I’ve been blessed with people who genuinely care about the vision of the café and want to see it thrive,” she says.
Memories that shaped her
At Corpus Christi College, Kartika embraced the opportunity to try a wide range of activities. A keen swimmer, she competed in backstroke and butterfly, tried her hand at water polo, and loved the energy of carnival days.
In Year 12, she enrolled in Arts, which became a place of calm and creative expression. Under the guidance of Ms Fabris, Kartika created a watercolour pencil piece titled Co‑existence, merging bird life and marine life. The artwork was later selected for the Perspectives Exhibition, a moment she still describes as surreal.
Advice for today’s students
Kartika’s advice to Year 12 students is simple but powerful:
“Don’t rush into decisions. You don’t have to have everything figured out straight away. Take the time to discover what you enjoy — but stay focused, because purpose is what keeps you moving forward.”
Looking ahead
Kartika’s vision for the future of At Home Coffee Co remains firmly grounded in community and purpose. She hopes to expand the café’s role as a shared space by hosting art classes, workshops and community‑led events, allowing people to pursue both God’s work and their own dream work under one roof.
She’s refreshingly honest about the journey.
“People assume you have everything together — but most of the time, we’re all figuring it out as we go.”
Despite the hurdles she faced refurbishing the space and launching the business, Kartika remains deeply grateful.
“I believe God’s hand was over everything. That faith has carried me through and continues to shape all that I do.”
📍 Connect with At Home Coffee Co:
Instagram: @athomecoffeeco