Today we’d like to introduce you to Doug Cole.
Hi Doug, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Our story began in 2019 when we founded our roastery, Because Coffee, in Dawsonville, GA. We knew we wanted to take our coffee to more people, so we expanded into our Myth & Legend brand. Our first Myth & Legend cafe was founded in the Cumming City Center, and we’ve since expanded to Johns Creek, Clarkesville, and St. Augustine, FL. We’re all about stories here at Myth & Legend. Stories are what make life interesting. Every myth has a story. Every legend has a story. And every person has a story. We strive to be a place where people can come together, enjoy an unforgettable cup of coffee, and shares their stories and lives with one another.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
When we first founded Because Coffee in 2019, we never expected to have multiple cafes in multiple cities. I intended to be a local roastery and cafe. As the years passed, the vision grew, and Myth & Legend was born. There have been plenty of bumps in the road along the way, but it’s been a fun ride. After all, messes are a sign of life. Those messes (or bumps) grow us and teach us what to do better next time. The biggest challenge as we grow was trying to stay connected with every team member, community, and customer. I’m learning the way to do that is to invest in our teams and trust them to work through the messes and make our shops a success. Empowering them allows me to be more present in the shops and the community.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Specialty coffee wasn’t always my thing. In fact, I used to love Folgers drip coffee with lots of cream and sugar – and there’s nothing wrong with that. But it wasn’t until I tried specialty coffee from Metropolis Coffee Roaster in Chicago that I realized what I’d been missing out on. Coffee doesn’t have to be just good – it can be great! That’s what began my coffee journey. I started roasting on my own in 2016 in Ohio under the name of Acoustic Coffee Roasters. From there, me and 4 of by business partners decided to found Because Coffee in 2019.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
I would say two things.
1) Messes are a sign of life. No one likes to mess up. But it’s the messes that grow us and change us for the better. Embrace the mistakes and grow.
2) It’s all about people. I’m in the people business. Without our customers and our staff, we wouldn’t be where we are today. Each time we expand or open a new shop, the space feels empty at first. But the first time it is filled with people, it comes alive, and it makes it worth it.
Pricing:
- Order Coffee Online https://because.coffee
- Rent Our Coffee Cart https://mythandlegend.coffee/pages/coffee-cart
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mythandlegend.coffee
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mythandlegend.coffee/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mythandlegend.coffee/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/myth-and-legend-cumming?osq=myth+%26+legend+cumming+ga
- Other: https://g.co/kgs/rMT4i59
