In this episode of the Coffee is Me podcast, Valerian interviews Mabel and Ming from Moonwake Coffee. They discuss their first sip of coffee, their professions, and why they decided to start a coffee company. 

They also talk about the meaning behind the name Moonwake and their sales channels, including direct-to-consumer, farmers markets, and wholesale. They highlight the importance of building relationships with customers and the benefits of being part of the coffee enthusiast community. 

They also touch on the challenges and rewards of starting a business and the importance of finding meaning in their work. MoonWake Coffee Roasters focuses on delivering excellent coffee experiences to customers through their micro-lot offerings and commitment to quality. They have a unique approach to roasting, offering a range of roast levels and highlighting the farm name in their coffee lineup. 

The founders are passionate about the customer experience and wanted to create a positive and transparent environment. They made the decision to invest in a Cybertruck as a mobile coffee truck to solve problems, attract customers, and provide a unique experience. The biggest challenges for entrepreneurs are starting and dealing with uncertainty. It's important to take action and have a problem-solving mindset. 

MoonWake Coffee Roasters can be found online and at the Cupertino Danza College Farmers Market, with plans to open a cafe and roastery in West San Jose.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and First Sip of Coffee

02:41 Professions and Decision to Start a Coffee Company

08:18 Should You Leave Your Job to Start a Coffee Business?

16:20 The Meaning Behind the Name Moonwake Coffee

25:25 How to Find your First Customers

58:09 Thoughts on Sourcing and Creating a Coffee Portfolio

01:01:58 One vs Wide Range of Roast Degrees

01:04:42 About Quality and the Customer Experience

01:09:22 What Makes or Breaks a Coffee Business? Embrace Uncertainty

Takeaways

• The Mexican specialty coffee scene has been growing in the past decade, with a focus on quality and innovation in processing methods.

• Coffee blends and single origins offer different flavor profiles and can be used in various brewing methods.

In the bustling world of specialty coffee, where the beans tell stories and the aromas transport you to distant lands, one brand has been quietly brewing a storm, not just in a cup, but in the entrepreneurial world as well. Welcome to the universe of Hydrangea Coffee, a small specialty coffee brand that has managed to blend the rich notes of passion, quality, and smart business into a delectable brew of success.

A Sip into Billy’s Journey

Billy’s first sip into the coffee world wasn’t merely about the beverage; it was an exploration into the myriad profiles that each bean presented, a diversity that mirrored the various coding languages he worked with. His curiosity piqued, and what started as a side project to experiment with different coffee profiles, gradually brewed into a business that not only satisfied his creative palate but also carved a niche in the specialty coffee market.

The Essence Behind the Name

Brewing Profit with Passion

A Brand that Speaks Volumes with its Beans

A Future Steeped in Expansion and Connection

Billy believes in the potential that younger generations and cultures, which were not traditionally steeped in coffee-drinking, bring to the table. They are open, willing to pay for an experience, and appreciate the nuanced art of specialty coffee making.

In a world where every sip tells a story, Hydrangea Coffee, and Billy have managed to create a narrative that goes beyond just a beverage. It’s a tale of passion, smart entrepreneurship, and a belief that quality, when presented rightly, finds its connoisseurs.

As Hydrangea looks towards the future, with plans to establish personal connections through trade shows and festivals, and enhance customer communication through newsletters and emails, one thing remains certain - every bean, every sip, and every customer will always be a cherished part of their journey.

In this episode, Sameer takes us back to the origins of Voyager Coffee, a concept born out of a desire to revitalize their city, San Jose. As natives of the area, Sameer and his partner Lauren noticed a trend of friends and acquaintances leaving for more exciting urban centers. Determined to inject vibrancy into their hometown, they envisioned Voyager Coffee as a catalyst for community-building and a hub of creativity. With a humble beginning as a coffee cart, Sameer and Lauren's dream gradually took shape. They poured their hearts and souls into their venture, starting with a meager three-kilo San Franciscan roaster in a garage. Despite the challenges they faced and the financial hurdles along the way, their dedication to quality and the farm-to-cup experience propelled them forward. Join Sameer as he discusses the pivotal moment when Voyager Coffee transitioned from a multi-roaster model to establishing their own roastery and chain of five coffee shops. Discover the motivation behind this bold move, driven by a desire to be closer to the source and have a direct impact on the coffee they served. Witness their journey of growth, from a small-scale operation to a multi-location coffee empire, with beautifully designed cafes that have become iconic in the South Bay area. Through this conversation, you'll gain insights into the intricacies of running both a cafe and a roastery under one umbrella. Sameer shares the challenges they faced, the complexities of managing hierarchical lines of communication, and the financial considerations that come with expanding their business. Learn from their experiences and discover valuable lessons for aspiring coffee entrepreneurs. If you're passionate about specialty coffee, community-building, or the entrepreneurial spirit, this podcast episode is a must-listen. Course: Sameer Shah will be sharing his extensive knowledge on "How to Start a Coffee Shop" as a course instructor at the esteemed Boot Coffee campus. Gain valuable insights and practical tips from Sameer, who has firsthand experience in building and growing Voyager Coffee. Don't miss the opportunity to learn from a true industry expert and take your coffee shop dreams to new heights. Ready to be captivated? Tune in to the podcast now and unlock the secrets to building a thriving coffee business with Sameer Shah of Voyager Coffee.

In this episode, we chat with Erich Joiner, founder of goodboybob coffee in Los Angeles, California. GBB has gained a reputation for sourcing the world's best coffees, including top lots from Cup of Excellence.

Initially catering to his friends and colleagues in the film industry, Erich's passion for specialty coffee was sparked by the unique flavors and aromas he encountered. We explore how he manages to sell these high-end coffees and how GBB's hard-to-find location in Santa Monica adds to its allure.

As a filmmaker and race driver who never drank coffee, Erich shares his journey of learning to roast and select the perfect coffees for his portfolio. He also talks about his bold mission to bring his coffee to rural America and his promising initial trials.

This episode is a departure from the norm, as Erich's goal is to have fun rather than make a profit. In a world tired of generic brands, unique and quirky experiences are increasingly valued. Find out how GBB fits into this trend by tuning in!

Enjoy the episode!

How and why did Hiver start Chromatic coffee? His origin story is really inspiring. So many people say “this is what I want to do,” but what are you ready to give up? Would you give up your comforts, free time, and risk your financial security?

Difference in doing business in the central EU and USA. What kind of personality you have to be in order to become an entrepreneur? In this episode we will discuss two very different worlds of entrepreneurship.

When it comes to roasting and packaging, custom modifications are in the DNA of the company. Chromatic is well known for its variety of packaging designs. What is their secret? How can they have limited edition designs on their packaging? Hiver opens up about the benefits and efficiency of hot stamping and tells us about their modification on the hot stamping machine which helps them stay relevant.

Our wide-ranging conversation answers such questions as where Chromatic get its coffee and why they offer robusta; tips on how to buy coffee Direct Trade, and whether coffee importers are your best friends or your foes. Hiver also has suggestions on where to get money for starting your coffee roasting business and what it means for your future ownership.

Coffee Review scores were very helpful for Chromatic at the beginning. This customer-oriented service attracts plenty of controversy in the industry, but the truth is, these scores help customers to understand your product and will influence your sales.

Finally, we discuss Chromatic’s very interesting and engaging website reward program. Find out from Hiver whether this program has been worth the investment.

Talking with former student of mine Sebastian Ramirez about his tips for new coffee shop entrepreneurs. 

Cafetal Coffee is a Specialty Coffee shop located near ASU in Tempe, Arizona. offering coffee from their family farm in Colombia and serving Latin infused breakfast and lunch! 

Sebastian was very generous and shared a lot of useful tips for everybody who is thinking to open a cafe or a coffee shop. 

00:00 Introducing Sebastian Ramirez Cafetal Coffee

Come explore the specialty coffee scene in India with us and Rahul Reddy. Rahul is the founder of Subko Coffee Roasters, a revolutionary coffee concept that sources the best lots from local farmers for the local consumers. 

This is the first episode recorded with video, so if you want to see our faces, join us on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCa5A34qegnupOj_gt04Jzhw

In this episode we cover the topics of cupping and calibration, the specialty coffee scene in Mumbai and the Subko Coffee Roasters origin story.

Rahul tells us more about his vision and the benefits of connecting a bakery with his coffee roasting brand.

We touch on the subject of production and why Subko uses Giesen coffee roasters. 

Subko's branding and social media presence is very impressive, and so we definitely had to talk about that.

Finally, Rahul shares a few tips for future coffee entrepreneurs and asks me a question about how Asia as a coffee origin has a future in the specialty coffee industry. 

In this episode we talk with Eddie Alaniz about his brand Coffee Conspiracy. 

Eddie's brand is a lockdown businesses. While most cafes had to be closed, Eddie offered single origin cold brew to the beach crowd in Santa Cruz.

Despite his humble beginnings, Eddie did not stop with his cold brew cart. His next move was to start to roast his own coffee and sell it via an online store. 

How did he do it? What is the most important aspect of a successful coffee business? The interview was recorded during a session of the Coffee Roasting Lab PRO - Business.  Join us for the next one!