Today we’d like to introduce you to Gus Dean.
Hi Gus, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I have been a successful veterinarian for more than 18yrs. I love science and helping others care for their animals. Yet, I felt professionally unfulfilled, that I was destined to do and be more. I have always been interested in business and knew I had to make a major change in my career. In 2019, I started Gus Dean Coffee a black owned, artisanal coffee roastery just south of the Twin Cities in Eagan, MN. I am focused on carefully hand roasting small batches of premium beans.
My beans are sourced from suppliers in all the major coffee growing regions: Central and South America, Africa, India, and Southeast Asia. My goal is straight forward, to roast beans that allow you to make coffee and cold brew that is smooth and fun to drink.
I believe drinking coffee is about creating fun and relaxing experiences where you are fully present and your authentic self. I would like my coffee and cold brew to be a part of your experience.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The COVID-19 outbreak began shortly after starting my business and continues to be a challenge to the way I manage the business. I relied heavily on farmers markets and community events to establish my brand and build a customer base. The markets and community events afforded me the opportunity to engage with customers and learn what they were looking for in their coffee. Initially, the pandemic wiped all of that away; only until this past summer was I able to participate in these activities again and be with my coffee friends.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I feel you have to be an artist to be successful in business. There are tried and true business principles you should adhere to start a business; however, to remain a success and to build a business that stands out from the competition you must be creative and flexible.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I travel throughout the Twin Cities metro daily. While there is a lot of social and economical diversity between the neighborhoods that I visit, after the George Floyd murder, I felt reaffirmed in my belief that there is a strong sense of community in the residents of the Twin Cities. Like most Minnesotans, most Twin Cities residents know what is right and wrong and came together for justice.
There is little I dislike about the Twin Cities other than the increasing level of traffic congestion due to road construction. Years ago, road construction was considered seasonal, now it feels like a year around inconvenience.
Contact Info:
- Email: gusdeancoffee@gmail.com
- Website: www.gusdeancoffee.com
- Instagram: @gusdeancoffee
- Facebook: @gusdeancoffee
