How to start your own coffee roastery… Kind of

As a business student and someone with an entrepreneurial spirit, I always hated the idea of working for someone, not because I was lazy or had a poor work ethic, but because I had always wanted to contribute to my own goals and dreams, not someone else’s. I frequently hear the phrase “I wish I could do that” from too many people and my response is always the same: “why can’t you?” and the average response might have been not enough time, not enough money, or I don’t know how. Yes, these might be some valid reasons for some people, but these aren’t huge walls or barriers, they’re obstacles and if you want to do something you find a way to get over them. Ullr Coffee was founded while I was a full-time student, full-time employee of another business, and a part-time procrastinator.

I hear so many other roasters and business owners say you need a huge amount of start-up capital to create a successful business and brand and this is just completely false. You don’t need 300k to start your business, and I certainly didn’t when I started doing this while in school. Sure, if you plan on roasting large volumes and selling over 100 bags a week and having huge wholesale accounts, you will need a lot of money upfront. But there has to be the demand for your product first. Many successful roasteries started on home roasting systems like a Behmor or a rotisserie basket on a grill. There is only so much you can do differently in coffee, which is why branding is so imperative to your success. Developing a brand that people will recognize and support takes time and effort but can be very affordable and even free.

Let’s talk about roasters: I slowly worked my way up to buying a 4kg sample roaster, starting with a rotisserie basket on my dad’s grill. Many people in the industry will say the smallest roaster you should buy is 10kg when starting, which will run you well over 25k used. This is just not feasible for most people especially college students. The great thing about coffee roasters is that they hold their value very well, meaning that you can start small and if you see growth and find that you enjoy the trade, you can sell it and work your way up. Now I may not be incredibly successful or making a lot of money, but I see steady growth and when the time comes, I can expand how I like and still manage other aspects of my life very well. If you want to get into the business, start small, if you enjoy it, keep working your way up and find the path that best suits you.