Today we’d like to introduce you to Rocky Hutchins.
Hi Rocky, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I began in the coffee roasting business in 2016 however, I’ve been enriched in the culinary world since I was a youngster. Most of my story doesn’t include coffee, but each venture was a stepping stone to where I am and where I shall go. I want to notate a quote by Winston Churchill before you continue reading on that goes, ‘Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.’ This quote is spot on to my story. While growing up, my mom was a server at Callaway Gardens and my stepdad worked at Kinnett Dairies. If you’ve ever been thru Columbus, GA, you’ve probably noticed a giant cow at Best Buy. Well, her name is Kadie and is a staple around here. I spent a lot of time after school running around the dairy plant or riding around in the truck for deliveries. My parents worked long hours to try to provide for the family in which become a testimony for my work ethic. I worked in my first restaurant in high school after a couple of years, I decided to never do that again.
After high school, I attended college and played baseball. I thought my talents in baseball was my golden ticket and that diamond adventure would never end, but to my surprise, it does. I ended up back home managing a family’s restaurant that I was close to. Yes, the business I never wanted to be a part of in high school sucked me right back in. Tho, I noticed that I had a renewed passion for how the business ran, the presentation of the food/atmosphere, and just the all-around connection I could have with each of the guests. Not to mention, during off-hours, I was stuck watching food networks. Honestly, I couldn’t say whether that was passion or hunger but, I was into it. I was also working landscaping at the time and I really needed to decide what career I was going to pursue. So, after a few months of thought, I made the decision to attend Le Cordon Bleu in Atlanta. I took it very seriously, writing down nearly every word that was said in class over the next two years. I studied continuously, and I had the pleasure of working full time at Alon’s Bakery & Market along with a few other restaurants, including Buckhead Life and Figo Pasta.
Several years later, I moved back to Columbus to assist with the opening of Epic Restaurant. All of the restaurants I was a part of was a blessing with furthering my restaurant and business education. I eventually opened my own venture called Bitter Brick which was a Wine, Coffee, & Cocoa reTreat. It was quite the task, and I was broke from the start but managed to keep going for about three years before unfortunately shutting the doors. People don’t know this till now, but near the end of that venture, I had the bright idea of sleeping in my truck and then showering at the gym to save a few bucks to pay restaurant bills. Funny now, not so much then. To me, it was another sacrifice I had to make to keep a small business going. Very overwhelming at times but it’s something that we have to do sometimes in order to keep the doors open until you are out of options. The business had many successful moments and was a go-to cafe. However, I finally had to throw in the towel. Soon afterwards, I got into the coffee roasting business. Hey, why not try it again? Right? So another not-so-easy task but up for the challenge as always.
Meanwhile, I worked/traveled for a company called Nth Degree out of Atl and was the Chef at Mountain Top Inn & Resorts in Warm Springs, GA. I was all over the place, but all the jobs were getting done. Following that grind, I was presented with an option to team up with Bare Roots Farmacy in Columbus. We set out on another restaurant adventure, and we hit the ground running. I worked myself to the bone those next couple of years, getting that restaurant to its utmost capabilities while roasting and getting out coffee deliveries simultaneously. We were readjusting to the new year becoming a breakfast/brunch drivin dining spot all week long when covid struck and forced us to close our doors. It was very upsetting to have to feel like it was a failure of yet another business, but it was out of my hands, and more importantly, who knows what all that work/stress would have had on me long term. One door closed and another opened with the coffee.
I had been in work mode this whole time, knocking out multiple tasks that I didn’t even notice how long the coffee company had been in business. It was moving right along with limited marketing. It had maintained through the years and was just getting stronger organically with word of mouth, after mouth to a cup of course. Our motto with Gypsy Goat Co is ‘Drink Up. Shine on.’ It just means to take it in and keep going in whatever your ambitions are. I thank my coffee for giving me the energy this whole time to keep striving along. One sip after another led to one foot after another. We had to re-brand through the last year also due to covid and made some business shifts but are thrilled to still be roasting coffee for our folks while continuing to grow. I’ve been blessed that Gypsy Goat Co has been the main focus point the past year and will continue to be so. I currently reside in Auburn, Al, and the roaster is located in Columbus, GA. We have so much more to come with our coffee and many more exciting new products to reveal. We are beyond thrilled to see what the future holds, and we are hoping you join in with your support. Drink Up. Shine On, folks!
As you know, we’re big fans of Gypsy Goat Co. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about the brand?
Gypsy Goat Co is a brand that represents a positive movement in your daily lives no matter what you do. Our moto is ‘Drink Up. Shine On’. We encourage everyone to live their best life and to be enlightened by doing so. Gypsy represents your free spirit while goat represents the core of the legendary discovery of coffee. Centuries ago, a goat herder followed his goats and became intrigued by a certain tree his goats would migrate to in order to munch on its berries. Shortly after consumption, he noticed the goat’s behavior was completely energized. Gyspy Goat Coffee is a reflection of those nomadic furry comrades and the gadabout spirit within each of us. You are all the greatest of all time and you should pursue that. Allow yourself to stay positive and see the world along with the greatness within yourselves. Drink Up. Shine On friends.
We consciously select a varietal of beans from around the world’s coffee belt. Our selections of vibrant coffees are roasted to detail and immediately packaged to preserve optimal quality. We roast your coffee fresh and we ship it out/deliver within 24hrs of completion.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Who really knows these days where anything is headed. I take it day by day and take care of where the business is currently. Coffee prices will most likely rise, but we are going to do what it takes to keep ours affordable. We plan on branching out into other beverage products as well, including teas and many more options. But as for now, we are being very strategic on any new moves. We are happy and our customers are happy, so nothing much to ask for at this moment. We hope that everyone takes a positive approach in whatever they are doing, whether it’s in the coffee industry, restaurant industry, etc. We just got to keep on keeping on as we say and adjust as changes take place.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@gypsygoatco.com
- Website: www.gypsygoatco.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gypsygoatcoffee/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gypsygoatcoffee
