Bivouac Coffee
In the heart of a picturesque mountain town, where the crisp air carried the scent of pine and adventure, there was a hidden gem called WEM - EC, short for "Wilderness Espresso Mountain - Environmental Coffee." But this story doesn't start with the bustling café or the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. It begins in 2017, in the humble setting of a garage where a passionate group of friends embarked on a journey to redefine coffee culture.
The inspiration came from a trip to South America where they learned about the traditional, natural way of sun drying to extract the coffee bean out of the fruit. Not only does this give the coffee a smooth profile, but it saves water, making it environmentally friendly.
Their mission was clear: to craft exceptional coffee while minimizing their environmental footprint by using a natural process.
With determination and a commitment to sustainability, they set into motion. With only their love for a good brew and a high-quality roaster, they built their operation from the ground up.
A $100,000 loan through B:Side Fund, along with investor financing, enabled them to purchase additional equipment and machinery, including innovative air-cleaning devices to ensure their production was as eco-friendly as possible.
Their dedication bore fruit, quite literally, as they established an online presence, shipping their artisanal coffee across the country. They also delved into the wholesale market, forging partnerships with businesses that shared their values. But they didn't stop there.
A year into their journey, they opened a cafe and tasting room in Evergreen, Colorado, a cozy haven where locals and visitors alike could sit and enjoy their carefully crafted brews. The opening of a physical location brought several challenges, most notably finding reliable staff in a small mountain town within an industry that faces high turnover. They decided to hire individuals as passionate about coffee as they were and empower them, fostering a culture in which hard-working team members could gain experience and independence.
Despite the challenges, they expanded, opening more cafes and establishing themselves as a cornerstone of the community. Since opening, they have grown from just two cafes to six.
Then, just as they were hitting their stride, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. They were forced to adapt, shifting to a take-out model and knew they also had to boost online sales. To do so, they had to tell their story and communicate what made their style of roasting unique, along with the environmental benefits. So, they got creative, tapping into their community's love for outdoor adventure, forging partnerships with outdoor brands, and hosting showcase events that brought people together over a shared love for nature and good coffee.
Their efforts paid off. Their online presence grew and their wholesale accounts multiplied. What started as a dream in a garage has proved successful and shown that a love for coffee and a passion for the planet could go hand in hand. Bivouac is the first US-based coffee company to exclusively roast environmentally friendly, naturally processed coffees from adventurous origins around the world. It is a 1% for the Planet Company with 2% of our total revenue is donated to each of our outdoor recreation and environmentally active non-profit partners.
