Community Highlights: Meet Melissa Green of Badass Coffee Causes

Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Green.

Hi Melissa, 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.
Coffee that inspires change!

My name is Melissa Green. I am the Founder & CEO of Badass Coffee Causes. We take pride in providing delicious coffee, but also in being a coffee company that gives back to the LGBTQ+ and Military Family communities.

As a USN Veteran and Military Spouse, I understand the importance of #community and #connection. I believe that something as simple as sharing a cup of coffee can bring people together and create an opportunity for empathy and understanding.

In January 2021, I launched S3 Coffee Co (Southern, Sweet & Sassy Coffee) with a focus on supporting the military family community. The overwhelming response and support we received inspired me to take it a step further and create a brand that supports the LGBTQ+ community as well.

In January 2022, I founded Rise Above Coffee, a company fully dedicated to raising awareness and generating support for LGBTQ+ causes. Both S3 Coffee Co and Rise Above Coffee are built around our #coffeeforacause initiative. Each year, we carefully choose 12 LGBTQ+ and military family-focused nonprofits to spotlight. Each month, we feature one nonprofit from each community and donate a percentage of our monthly sales directly to their cause.

At Badass Coffee Causes, we strive to be a brand where everyone feels safe, welcomed, and loved for who they are.

We offer more than just a great cup of coffee, we provide community and support. We want to create an inclusive and supportive environment for all.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As an entrepreneur, I can confidently say that my journey has not been a smooth road.

I started my business by bootstrapping, pouring in all of my savings, and putting in long hours to make it work.

However, things took an unexpected turn when I lost my job (recently), leaving me with no source of income. It is currently a tough time, but I refuse to give up on my dream. Instead, I have been getting creative and finding ways to obtain capital to continue growing my business.

Another challenge I faced was relocating my business. While it was necessary for personal reasons, it meant that I had to pivot my business model to fit the new market. It wasn’t an easy decision, but it was a necessary one to continue the growth and success of my business.

Throughout my journey, I have faced various struggles, but I have learned to embrace them and use them as opportunities for growth. It hasn’t been easy, but it has been worth it to see my business thrive and fulfill its purpose.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Our mission at Badass Coffee Causes is to create a warm and inclusive environment for everyone, with a focus on supporting the LGBTQ+ and Military Families communities.

We believe in the power of coffee to bring people together and create a sense of community. That’s why we are dedicated to using our platform to give back and make a positive impact on our nation. We are passionate about coffee and its ability to bring people together, and we are committed to using our business as a force for good.

By sourcing high-quality, sustainable coffee beans, and contributing a portion of our profits to organizations that support the LGBTQ+ and Military Families communities, we are proud to be a part of the #coffeeforacause movement.

Our vision at Badass Coffee Causes is to be a leading coffee brand known for its commitment to inclusiveness, diversity, and giving back.

We envision a world where the LGBTQ+ and Military Families communities are embraced and supported, and where coffee plays a central role in bringing people together and making a positive impact.

By providing a warm and welcoming environment for all, sourcing high-quality coffee beans, and giving back to organizations that support the LGBTQ+ and Military Families communities, we aim to create a coffee culture that celebrates diversity and promotes positive change.

Our goal is to make a lasting impact, not just in the coffee industry, but in the world as a whole.

Our brand is set apart from other coffee companies for a variety of reasons:

1. We are strictly e-commerce, for now – We do have the intent to open our first location, here in Arizona, next year (2024)

2. We do not carry coffee inventory because we roast our beans once our customer makes an order. This means our customers will always receive the freshest coffee ever.

3. We are a diversity-owned company: Latina, Veteran, Military Spouse, LGBTQ+, Woman

4. We are growing, even at a disadvantage.

5. We are focusing on wholesale contracts this year: Government & B2B.

6. We are all about our #coffeeforacause – We support nonprofits within the Military Families & LGBTQ+ communities and bring their support and services to our audience while donating at the end of each month.

The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and are any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
We opened up after 2020 so we didn’t experience the height of the crisis; however, we’ve noticed that e-commerce grew.

More businesses are opening up online and lowering their overhead costs until they create a successful brand. I love being online and national while supporting two major communities I’m passionate about.

Pricing:

• Coffee starts at 18.99+
• Drinkware & Coffee Makers start at $12+

Contact Info:

• Website: https://badasscoffeecauses.com
• Instagram: @s3coffeeco & @riseabovecoffee
• Facebook: @s3coffeeco & @riseabovecoffee
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissagreenmba & https://www.linkedin.com/company/southern-sweet-sassy/ & https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/rise-above-coffee/
• Pinterest: @badasscoffeecauses