Mean Coffee, Nice People

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jeff Davis, founder of Brioso Coffee, located in Columbus, OH, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Brioso Coffee, at its core, is a business that sources and roasts coffee. Our mission is to thoughtfully source our coffee for the benefit of the producer and share our love for coffee with our customers. We have always valued the experience and authenticity of roasting in a space shared with a coffee bar and having the process very visible. We have a very focused offering of only coffee; however, the markets we serve are very diverse. We operate two coffee bars selling specialty coffee beans and drinks, an E-commerce website, and wholesale roasting and equipment sales. Our retail coffee bars are both in downtown Columbus which provide very diverse customers on a daily basis.

Tell us about yourself

I began drinking coffee at the age of 14 but was always thinking there must be something better than canned coffee. I was changed forever when I first experienced single-origin coffee freshly roasted at a local roaster in the early 90's. I sought a job in the roasting department there and knew coffee was my career path. The number one reason is that I want to be excited to go to work every day and love my job even on the tough days. I still feel this way more than 25 years later. I started the business because I had my own vision for sourcing and buying green coffee. In the 90's, the specialty market was pretty generic. Producers were not paid enough. I saw producers trying to improve their situation through specialization and unique processing methods. Producing better and more unique coffees that deserve a premium. Returning value to the producers of our coffee and showing our customers how unique and special those coffees can be is what motivates me daily.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Staying in business for more than 20 years. We were not sufficiently capitalized when we started in 2001. Also, I am very proud of navigating economic downturns like the last two years and 2008/09.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

It is very difficult to fail an employee or customer. When that happens, you have to own the failure and be the solution.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

You must start with a clear vision that you can communicate and can inspire others.
Make a ten-year commitment to your business.
Plan your ideal exit; this will inform your plans for growth.

Life is short, and failure is nothing to fear. Go for it!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://briosocoffee.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/briosocoffee
Instagram: https://instagram.com/briosocoffee
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-davis-8112096/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.