Listen to Episode 6 now on www.TriangleRadioPodcast.com!
This week, we were joined by Lindsay, Michael, Matthew, and Liam of 321 Coffee!
321 Coffee is a nonprofit coffee shop based in Raleigh with the mission to employ individuals with disabilities and creating meaningful work opportunities in our local community.
Lindsay grew up with several friends with intellectual and developmental disabilities, but it wasn't until later in high school that she saw that there were opportunities available to her that weren't necessarily available to her friends. In fact, she discovered that 80% of adults with disabilities are unemployed.
She was inspired by a similar nonprofit to provide a place that offered valuable and meaningful work opportunities for those with disabilities, and that also invited the community to connect with them in a positive way.
In her first year at NC State, she met Michael and shared her idea with some friends at lunch who were receptive and eager to be involved. One unifying factor was that they recognized that you often don't see individuals with disabilities working in the community and they wanted to change that.
Matthew recalls their very first event at NC State, serving coffee for a unified sporting event, and seeing their idea really take off. Lindsay adds that many people noted how much they loved the idea and were eager to help and that they could see their vision coming to life.
The name 321 Coffee is drawn from the 3rd copy of the 21st chromosome, which is the extra chromosome found in Down Syndrome. Matthew notes that this idea came from Lindsay's background working with individuals with Down Syndrome, but that 321 Coffee provides opportunities to anyone with any kind of disability.
After the first event, they worked all kinds of events from weddings to corporate events, to put their name out into the community. They then started serving coffee on Saturdays at the Farmers Market and they've been up and running now for over three years.
Lindsay says the biggest lesson she's learned is that when you have an idea, it's important to just start and find a way to move it forward. She's also proud that they've hired 21 adults with disabilities and pay them above minimum wage. She recognizes that being resourceful and persistent was a huge part of the nonprofit's success. Michael also adds that even though it started with some logistical issues, they were always looking for ways to improve their operations - even learning how to brew espresso with their new espresso machine the night before they opened.
Their sights are still on growth as they add more equipment and offerings like locally roasted beans. Liam adds that a big lesson for them has also been to be adaptable. For instance, roasting their own beans was never part of their initial plan, but when Covid 19 impacted their plans for a potential storefront, they pivoted to this new idea and the idea of a subscription service.
We were so excited to hear more about 321 Coffee and the incredible impact they've made in our community.
You can find 321 Coffee at the State Farmers Market, find more information on their website, and follow them on Facebook here.
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