Mar Yooree, founder of Tanbrown Coffee

Beans Without Boundaries

This week's episode features an intimate and thought-provoking conversation with the remarkable Marissa from Tanbrown Coffee in Atlanta.

🌟 Episode Highlights:

- Get to know Marissa, a trailblazer in the coffee industry, and the force behind Tanbrown Coffee, renowned for sourcing and roasting exceptional Asian coffees. Discover the inspirations and challenges that have shaped their journey.

- They dive into the Brewers Cup 2023 experience—preparation, competitions, and the strive for diversity and representation in the coffee competition space.

- Elena and Marissa candidly discuss the nuances of being people of color in a predominantly white industry and share personal anecdotes of facing microaggressions.

- Reconnect with your roots, as they explore the significance of cultural identity and representation in the coffee community.

- Join the conversation on the importance of accessible education in the craft of coffee roasting and brewing practices.

- Discover the profound impact that investing in women producers can have on communities.

- Delve into "hot takes" on the coffee industry, from the home brewing culture to the importance of fostering a supportive barista community.

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Memorable Moments

00:00 Struggling to receive help learning about coffee.

08:36 Appreciates design, found new career path. Hated corporate.

10:40 Barista work provided unexpected value over design.

15:58 Encounter fueled anger, but the industry was empowering.

23:08 Aesthetics can be a barrier, but important.

31:19 Advocated for waitlist, practiced for Brewer's Cup.

36:04 Competing in coffee competition with a twist.

40:56 Advocating for diversity and opportunity in competitions.

44:34 Engaged with coffee community during pandemic.

49:35 Not close to parents, cultural connection struggle.

58:54 Discovering favorite Congolese coffee through regular tastings.

01:06:16 Promoting inclusivity and representation in the coffee industry.

01:10:55 Passionate about Yemeni coffees and community representation.

01:19:47 Enthusiastic praise for Brewer's Cup and community.

TLDR

1. Representation Matters: Both emphasize the importance of diversity and inclusivity in the coffee industry, with a specific focus on giving visibility and support to Arab and queer Arab communities, as well as addressing the underrepresentation of Asian coffees and producers.

2. Rising Above Discrimination: Stories from both highlight the need to confront and overcome the microaggressions and stereotypical questions based on ethnicity that are prevalent within the industry, and the motivational drive to create a safe and welcoming space for marginalized communities.

3. The Financial Hurdles of Competition: Their experience in the Brewers Cup illustrates the significant financial and resource-based challenges faced by competitors, especially those from underrepresented and under-resourced communities.

4. Authentic Community Engagement: Discussing the importance of genuinely reaching out to others in the coffee community without the immediate intent of turning relationships into business opportunities is a valuable takeaway for enhancing true communal support.

5. Perseverance and Skill Recognition: There's an emphasis on the desire for individuals to be acknowledged for their professional skills in coffee without being pigeonholed by ethnic or cultural stereotypes.

6. Sustainable Business Growth: Both advocate for responsible and slow business growth that ensures partnerships are aligned with core values and contribute to steady progression without reliance on substantial outside investment.

7. The Role of Women in Coffee Production: The positive impact that women producers can have on their communities is acknowledged, and Elena's sourcing of coffee exclusively from women-owned and -produced sources exemplifies an active choice to support that impact.

8. Education and Skill Sharing: They raise concerns about a lack of understanding in brew theory among new entrants to the market, while the episode also presents the need for more sharing and knowledge-building within the coffee community.

9. Resisting Gatekeeping: The creation of Tanbrown Coffee serves as an example of breaking through the gatekeeping often encountered in the specialty coffee roasting industry, inspiring others to pursue their passions without asking for permission.

10. Support Within Diverse Identities: The episode highlights the value found in shared experiences among first and second-generation individuals, reflecting the diversity within communities and the importance of finding validation and strength in those commonalities.

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2024 Best Podcast Nominations

*Best DIY Podcast Finalist - The Ambies, Awards For Excellence in Audio - The Podcast Academy

*Best Coffee Podcast Finalist - The Sprudgie Awards, Honoring The Very Best in Coffee - Sprudge, The Worldwide Leader In Coffee News

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