Elevator Pitch

Here's my "be ready at any time" talk about Oak City Coffee Roasters.  Parts of this can be used at any time:

I started this business so the people of Raleigh could have their own coffee, roasted right downtown.  And I wanted it to be something people can be proud of, and talk about when they go home.  

To me that looks like having maximum impact, wherever we do business.  

1. Seeking out relationships with farmers who grow quality coffee and being generous with them.  If I can deal directly with a farmer, and pay him directly, I want to pay him generously. I want to end his poverty directly.  That costs money- not 15 cents a pound above market price- more like two to four dollars a pound above market, directly to the farmer.  I know what I need to make to stay in business.  I'm not paying as little as I can, charging as much as I can, giving as little as I can...  I'm paying as much as I can to someone who earned it.  In the end I'm paying in a way I'm proud of, roasting really good coffee, and charging a fair price in the marketplace.                                                                                                                            
2. Inside the business, all of the labels on our bags are applied by adults with autism. I think that's just compassionate.  We're a part of this community. One way to stay connected with the needs of families in the community is by including them in the business.  I think its' possible for a business to express compassion in the community in this way.                                                                                                     
3. We have vision to do more as well.  Through Care Cups, we will create meaningful work for adults with autism by building a company with them at the center- making a real product, in a real marketplace and earning real money.  I really hope to change the way society thinks of our people with special needs.  I know God loves them.  We should too. Creating a business and workplace where they can thrive is loving.                                                                                                                 
4. More vision for the future- creating business opportunities for men in South Raleigh who can't find work.  Society casts them aside, but God loves them. I think providing a way for them to enter into society through respectable business ownership is loving.  I hope to create a network of local business owners to provide the resources to help men who are currently the rejected ones, to thrive.  And when they succeed, they'll bring the whole community with them.                                                                                                                                                                      
5. We joined the Rainforest Alliance and we're one of the first roasters in the country to pursue non-GMO verification for our coffees.  That's like being a responsible part of society. Those things aren't necessarily about the flavor of the coffee, but its something worth caring about.

So we're just fulfilling our role in life of being a Super Hero.  Nobody wins when you just try to make money...  But save the world, and now you're changing things!