Ruth Ann Church launched Artisan Coffee Imports to help more than herself. The Ann Arbor-based decaffeinated coffee importer also helps create economic opportunity in third world countries around the world.
"There has been a long-time interest in developing countries and coffee has a unique ability to bring economic development to developing countries," says Church, president of
Artisan Coffee Imports. "I was drawn to coffee to do some good in the world."
Church worked in sales and marketing in the higher education and automotive industries. She has turned Artisan Coffee Imports into her full-time job. Church decided to focus on decaffeinated coffee because it's what she likes to drink and she sees it as being underserved in the artisan coffee market.
The company has expanded its service offerings to include consulting and expects to triple its overall sales this year. "We are really finding out what products resonate with our customers," Church says. "I would love to see this become a three-to-four-person operation."
Source: Ruth Ann Church, president of Artisan Coffee Imports
Writer: Jon Zemke
Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.