Today we’d like to introduce you to Ben Hoyer.
Hi Ben, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
In 2010, I moved back to Orlando, I had grown up in Lake Mary and been gone for almost ten years. Realizing I was going to be here long term, I wanted to build I life that I would like. In an effort to develop a guiding principle for myself, I wrote a credo and committed to building networks of meaning, impact and community. CREDO coffee grew directly out of that credo. I realized that if we sourced coffee directly from micro-growers, paying them as much as possible, it would be a little drop of positive impact in a global supply chain. Then we decided, rather than merely selling people that coffee, we’d let them join us in the positive impact. Visitors to Downtown CREDO get to own their place in the supply chain and name their price. In 2011 that name-your-price style of coffee shop with great coffee and friendly baristas choosing to live with meaning themselves caught on. CREDO now operates two coffee shops and a roastery in the downtown area.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Of course not. I got into coffee philosophically and have had to learn how to operate a business while running one. Managing growth and navigating Orlando’s changing coffee landscape for ten years presents all sorts of challenges. Because of our commitment to work with grassroots coffee growers who might not otherwise have access to US markets, we’ve also had to learn creative ways to navigate importing coffee and build relationships of trust at all levels of the supply chain.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
For the last ten years, I’ve focused on cultivating networks of meaning, impact and community. I’m convinced that no matter who you are, how much stuff you have or what you’ve achieved, you’ll like your life better if you live it with meaning, impact and community. CREDO coffee is one effort to cultivate those networks. Rally: the social enterprise accelerator is another, CREDO Conduit is another. I hope to be known for passion around community, friendship, meaningful living and impactful work.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I’ve lived in my current house for 11 years. It’s the longest I’ve every lived in one house.
Contact Info:
- Email: ben@downtowncredo.com
- Website: downtowncredo.com
- Instagram: downtowncredo
- Facebook: downtowncredo
- Other: rallysea.com
Image Credits
Photos by Stephan Monteserin and Lee Mahal
