Entrepreneurship with Purpose

By Kathya Irias, Honduras

My name is Kathya Irias, Founder & President of Spirit Animal Coffee in Honduras, a purpose-driven company whose main goal is to provide sustainability to the producers and everyone involved in the coffee supply chain. With this said, have you ever wondered what it takes to create a purpose-driven company? Or have you imagined meeting a pioneer in your industry? How would that feel for you?

The Professional Fellows Program has offered me all that and more. It’s been an extraordinary opportunity to immerse myself in the coffee industry from a holistic perspective. My placement was at Dean’s Beans Organic Coffee in Massachusetts, a company founded by Dean Cycon in 1993 with a mission to empower and positively impact everyone involved in the coffee process, from origin to cup. Dean’s Beans is dedicated to organic, fair trade, and bird-friendly coffee and recently transitioned to an employee-owned model, guided by the remarkable CEO, Beth Spong.

Through this fellowship, I have gained invaluable insights into conceptualizing a purpose-driven company. Both Dean’s Beans and Spirit Animal Coffee are B-Corp certified, aligning our values with our daily actions and commitments to people and the environment. Learning from Beth and her team, I understand that we all share the responsibility to create a positive impact and legacy. We must do good for our community, coworkers, employees, and everyone associated with our company.

Navigating the world of coffee as a conscious company like Spirit Animal Coffee and Deans Beans, who aim to create impact while being a profitable business, is challenging. This balance is not only a philosophical goal, but a practical one. Here are the key lessons I have learned from my time at Dean’s Beans Organic Coffee:

A company needs more than just a committed founder; it requires a team passionate about the mission and people who understand the reasons behind the company’s actions. The importance of saying “No” to opportunities that do not align with your business cannot be overstated.

Establishing processes that reflect your internal culture and behavior across the board is crucial. This commitment makes sustainability for producers in coffee-growing countries achievable. The partners you choose, and how you engage with your community, is vital. This will help achieve missions that often feel larger than life.

My journey during this program was key to this realization and I want to share two particular visits that I will cherish for the rest of my life. Remember how I mentioned meeting a pioneer? Well, here he is.

Meeting George Howell, I will describe as an epic moment for anyone in the specialty coffee industry. Not only did I get to know him, but I also had the privilege to cup coffees together, tour his roasting facilities, and discuss significant topics related to the coffee industry such as our relationships with producers and our personal missions. Witnessing firsthand how George creates impact in coffee-producing countries and being able to ask him questions, with his over 40 years of experience, was invaluable. Additionally, seeing how his daughter is being nurtured to be the second generation of a purpose-driven company in a male dominated industry was truly inspiring.

For context, George Howell is a pioneering figure in the specialty coffee community. His first three stores in the 1970s eventually became what we now know as Starbucks. George Howell Co-founded the COE program, which Spirit Animal Coffee is a proud member of.

Another memorable visit was meeting Umesh Bhuju from Zumi’s in Massachusetts. As one of Dean’s Beans’ most committed customers for nearly 20 years, Umesh is a coffee shop owner who knows every customer by name. His collaboration with Dean’s Beans stems from a shared vision of community impact. For me, as a coffee shop owner, this was an enlightening experience that provided insight on running an efficient shop and connecting with the community. Umesh’s passion for the situation of producers in Honduras and his pride in partnering with a purpose-driven company was truly inspiring.
Although my company Spirit Animal Coffee is a relatively new startup, this fellowship has equipped me with new-found knowledge and confidence to take my business to the next level. As an entrepreneur committed to people and the environment, this journey sometimes felt isolating. However, meeting incredible individuals dedicated to making coffee a sustainable business for producers reaffirmed my path. I now feel even more committed and empowered to impact my country with purpose.

This has been a full circle experience, from founders to community, and I am eager to implement the ideas and improvements I have learned. So, join me in supporting sustainable coffee practices and making a positive impact in our communities.