FoJo Beans is named 2013 Entrepreneur of the Year by the Chenango County (NY) Chamber of Commerce
Learn about FoJo Beans’ coffees, sourcing philosophy, and mission in this presentation video.
How did FoJo Beans come about?
1980
Dan’s coffee life begins in college with cream, sugar, and the bottomless cup.
1983
Dan begins his coffee journey in the USMC Quantico Marine Band. The “coffee mess” was in the Instrument Shop and Dan’s cup wasn’t washed his entire 4-year enlistment. If it was black liquid and they called it coffee, he drank it.
1984
Now in Manhattan (NYC, not Kansas), Dan abandons the cream & sugar (and flavored syrups) and discovers a local roaster. An insulated French Press and whole beans ground just before brewing is all the impetus needed to begin his quest for the perfect cup.
1987
Gone are the glory days of Marine shop coffee with metal shavings and jeweler’s rouge, and welcome to mediocre grocery store brands.
2007
Coda Coffee Company in Denver, CO takes the Dans under their wing, captivating them with their intoxicating elixirs and informally teaching them about the complexities of roasting specialty coffees. They explore different varietals, blends, roasts, and brewing techniques. Pot after pot after pot, our coffee trainers can now afford a villa in Spain!
2007
Dan moves to Thornton, Co. and proclaims “Honey, finding a good, local coffee roaster IS more important than finding a job or a doctor!”
2008
Dan privately admits to caring about the quality of his coffee. Publicly he maintains his assertion that “coffee is coffee.”
2009
The Dans are living in Central New York. Coffee time and coffee talk begins in earnest. A half hour every morning is devoted to the coffee experience (more on weekends). Over the years, they toy with the idea of opening a local coffee roasting business.
Conversations go something like this?
Do you think a coffee roasting company out here will make it?
Sure.
Do you think there are enough people who care about good coffee to support a local roaster?
Sure.
Do you REALLY think we should start our own coffee roasting business?
Yes.
What if it doesn’t make it?
It'll make it.
How do we start our own coffee company?
We buy a roaster, beans, & bags, and start roasting.
. . .
2009
Accused of drinking “kindergarten coffee,” Dan trades up to more complex beans.
2010
Dan declares Ethiopian Yergachiffe as his current favorite coffee type.
. . .
A day of tasting coffees with Dan and Dan goes something like this:
I taste a hint of citrus. What do you taste?
I taste coffee.
Do you get blueberry notes with this one?
I taste coffee.
There’s definitely some cocoa essence going on here.
Tastes like coffee to me!
. . .
2012
The Dans begin formal roaster training, and with the support of our local community, FoJo Beans is born.
2012
It’s all about the blend
2012
It’s all about the blend
2013
FoJo Beans is named 2013 Small Business Entrepreneur of the Year by the
Chenango County (NY) Chamber of Commerce
Chenango County (NY) Chamber of Commerce