By the time Sarah found herself on the roasting floor, inhaling the nutty, caramelized aroma of freshly tumbled coffee beans, she had already walked an unconventional path. A self-proclaimed coffee enthusiast in college, she never imagined that a marriage proposal would lead to something more than lifelong partnership—it would lead her straight into the belly of a roaring, fire-breathing coffee roaster.

Introduced to the art of roasting by her husband, Sarah was at first wary. The idea of standing over a machine billowing heat and smoke, its steel drum turning with the slow, hypnotic rhythm of alchemy, seemed more intimidating than inviting. There was the smell, yes—heady and intoxicating, but also dense, all-encompassing, inescapable. And then there were the questions of safety, toxicity, and the invisible threats that might be carried in the very air she breathed. But as any good scientist—and Sarah, with her background in animal behavior, was nothing if not methodical—would tell you, curiosity tends to win out over fear.

Chris Baca from Cat and Cloud Coffee posted a video on his Youtube Channel a few years back on the thought process that went into buying a commercial coffee roaster. We've revisited that video and found the information too valuable not to share with you.  You can watch the video at the bottom of the page. 

Taking the first steps towards achieving any goal can be daunting, if not downright terrifying. In some cases, the fear of failure stops people in their tracks, before their dream can even begin. As specialty coffee roasters, we understand exactly how you feel; we’ve gone through the same exact emotional roller coaster as you! In fact, we bet that every single specialty coffee roasting company had to get over its very own doubts in order to achieve success. One thing you should keep in mind is the simple fact that you’re not alone. In fact, guidance and support is all around you! 

At Purple Door Coffee in Denver, Colorado, the beloved brewed beverage is more than just a caffeine kick; it is a catalyst that helps transform the lives of young people. Purple Door Coffee has helped homeless youth transition from life on the streets to meaningful employment via job training at their coffee shop and—more recently—in their roasting operation. Their name comes from a central belief within their mission; the color purple, they write, is often associated with royalty, but—as a faith-based organization— they believe everyone is royalty, as the true king lives inside us all, and we thus possess innate value worthy of opportunity, love, and kindness. His door is always open. Hence, the name Purple Door Coffee.