Lecture Description
This lecture is designed to empower coffee entrepreneurs in their ability to use business as a force for good within their communities, with a focus on people, planet and purpose. During this session, participants will become equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to scale their coffee businesses while implementing socially sustainable practices.
This lecture will include an introduction to the opportunity for equity which lies within the decision-making process concerning the coffee vendor ecosystem (i.e. the coffee supply chain and key vendor categories, such as beans, equipment, packaging, staffing, manufacturing, etc.), and a discussion about future-proof methods to ensure lasting change.
Coffee entrepreneurs will learn about social and product sustainability, and how to identify strategies to create equitable communities throughout the decision-making process, within key leadership roles, and through the creation of tangible change-making opportunities, such as property ownership. Attendees will walk away feeling confident in their ability to identify opportunities for community reciprocity, and gain strategies and insights for scaling coffee businesses. Additionally, the lecture will foster networking opportunities and provide clear next steps as to how businesses can scale while remaining true to themselves and their community.
Date: Saturday, April 13, 2024
Time: 11:30am - 12:30pm
Room Number: N426C
Instructor
Jesse Íñiguez (he/him)
Owner & Director of Coffee Operations, Back of the Yards Coffee Co.
Jesse Íñiguez is the Owner & Director of Coffee Operations at Back of the Yards Coffee Co. (BOTYC), a specialty coffee company located in Chicago's Back of the Yards. Established in 2016, BOTYC’s mission is to provide premium coffee products while increasing the quality of life for surrounding communities.
Born and raised in Back of the Yards, Jesse understands the importance of uplifting his neighborhood and ensuring equity through infrastructure. He’s a trusted community leader creating profitable and sustainable business models that create jobs, stimulate the local economy, prioritize the planet, and offer positive social impact, all without sacrificing the culture.