Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenessa Joy.
Hi Jenessa, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started my entrepreneurial journey first as a barista that worked for other people. During the recession in 2010 the owner of the coffee shop I worked at was not doing well financially. I saved my money, sold my 71 Chevy short box and made her an offer to take over the stand. I had worked there for 7 years as a barista at that point. She took my offer and I renamed the shop Mighty Mugs. I took the Gross revenue from 11k a month to 22k a month within one year working all the shifts initially and then slowly hiring a weekend barista and then an afternoon barista. Over the last 16 years we have grown from 1 stand to 4 stands and now do many catering events through the year including all the back stage events at the white River Amphitheater and Climate Pledge Arena. We also do multiple fundraisers during the year to be a positive influence in our community.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Starting the business during the tail end of the recession was challenging. I needed to be thoughtful of how to pull in new customers while retaining my current customers. This was a time that everyone was very thoughtful about where their money was going. Again during the Covid -19 pandemic we needed to be very careful with how we operated safely, kept our employees and community safe. During this time I was a Covid nurse and working long hours. We would have weekly meeting on safety protocol and how to continue to serve the community safely and keep all the employees paid. We were lucky we did not have to lay anyone off during this period and stayed an important point of connection as people were working from home or essential workers.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Mighty Mugs has 4 drive thru locations around the South Sound of Seattle. West Seattle – Renton – Kent and Burien.
We are known for our connection with the community. Our baristas are kind and really have relationships with their patrons. In a time where we are all more disconnected than we’ve ever been, connection in the community is even more important. We make specialty coffee and quick and easy food items at all of our drive thru’s. We pride ourselves on getting you through the line quickly and on your way to work feeling better then when you drove up to the window.
We also sell direct trade, shade grown coffee which positively affects both the farmers who grow our coffee and the land our coffee is grown on.
We have recently started coffee catering and vending. Serving coffee to both large crowds at events and at intimate gatherings like weddings. We also do all the back stage coffee catering for Climate Pledge Arena and White River Amphitheater
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
We love the people. South End (of Seattle) people have things to do and places to go. They want a good cup of coffee and someone to shoot the shit with for a couple minutes before getting to work.
They have good senses of humor and are the people keeping the city running. We love serving or customers who become like family when you see them every day.
Challenges in Seattle can be linked to crime. Sometimes all our profit will be eaten up when we have a break in. Repairs and stolen merchandise can add up and make everyone feel unsafe. This is life in the city on occasion though.
Pricing:
- Mention this article and we will cater coffee at your event up to 150 people for $1000 flat fee
Contact Info:
- Website: mightymugscoffee.com
- Instagram: @mightymugscoffee
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Tb3KmudpE/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenessa-joy-msn-rn-55b13023?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios
- Yelp: https://yelp.to/srMYVJ0IxT
