Keys To The Shop : Equipping Coffee Shop Leaders 451: Business Growth, Integrity, and Coffee Farmer Equity w/ Martin Mayorga of Mayorga Coffee
When Martin Mayorga first entered the coffee industry it was not as someone whose singular passion was the product, but the people and communities behind it that were unseen and more often that not, unrewarded for their work. He had and still has a mission to address this disparity.
Born in Guatemala City to a Nicaraguan father and a Peruvian mother, Martin's early life was a mosaic of Latin American cultures and unique challenges, including losing everything to an earthquake in Guatemala and then again to a revolution in Nicaragua. This journey from Guatemala to Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Peru, and finally the United States exposed him to a variety of perspectives and challenges faced by people across these regions while eventually providing him the opportunities unique to the United States
Returning to Nicaragua at 18, Martin was confronted with the harsh realities faced by local farmers and their communities. This experience was pivotal, shaping his mission to uplift Latin American communities through sustainable business practices. Leveraging his education in International Business and Finance from Georgetown University, Martin embarked on a journey to make a positive impact for farmers in Latin Americas well as consumers in the United States.
Under Martin's leadership, Mayorga Organics has become more than a coffee company; it's a symbol of hope and empowerment for over 6,000 small farmers across 10 Latin American countries. The company's commitment to organic farming and direct relationships with farmers has not only improved the lives of these communities but also helped to transform consumer perception of ethical consumption in the U.S.
Today we will be challenged, enlightened, and inspired as we get to explore the arc of Martin's journey and discuss the various critical components of what has gone into the mission that continues to guide Mayorga Coffee and more broadly Mayorga Organics- "To eliminate systemic poverty in Latin America through responsible trade of artisanal organic foods."
Here are just some of the things we cover:
- Martin's entry into the coffee industry
- Pivotal moments in Martins diverse upbringing that shapes his world view
- Values and vision for addressing the gap between consumer and farmer
- Why we need scale to make impact
- Being patient and steady in your goals in spite of naysayers
- Giving regular coffee farmers options
- Competition and collaboration vs domination
- Considering the impact of investors on the long-term efficacy of a business
- What to do now to make a difference in the future
Links:
@mayorgacoffee on Instagram
YouTube Video on Mayorga Coffee
Related episodes:
- Sustainability Series #1 : The Farm
- 294 : At Origin Roasting Revolution w/ Luis Fernando, founder of Amor Perfecto!
- 265 : Gaining Clarity on Transparency w/ Jonas Lorenz of The Pledge
- 060 : Serving the Coffee Plant w/ Hanna Neuschwander, World Coffee Research
- COVID-19 Focus: Perspective form Burundi w/ Jeanine Niyonzima-Aroian, JNP Coffee
- 335: A Better Business Model for Coffee Farmers w/ Thaleon Tremain of Pachamama Coffee
- 447: Understanding the Business of Coffee w/ Maxwell Colonna-Dashwood
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