From Carpenter to Coffee Connoisseur: The Story of Block Island Coffee

In order to be successful you just need to be curious and ready to jump in. You don’t need to be an expert, you just have to have the ability to try. That’s why small businesses like Block Island Coffee are as successful as they are. 

After being a carpenter for 25 years in her home town of Block Island, Kerri Gaffett now finds herself brewing her own coffee in her kitchen. It all started when she traveled to Tortola to teach women how to do emergency roof repairs after a hurricane had hit. When her work was finished  her friend who has a coffee company in Tortola sent her home to Rhode Island with bags of coffee to sell. All proceeds were sent back to Tortola.

Block Island Coffee discovered itself really, there was no plan behind it. It sparked from her friend in Tortola putting her in contact with the farmers she was working with in the Dominican Republic. Kerri started really small, selling at the local farmers market and before she knew it within one year she was selling more coffee than she could produce. Due to the increase in sales she began to blend her coffee with other roasters in New England. 

“I want to encourage people, you don’t need to know anything. You just have to have a curiosity and ability to try it” shared Gaffett when sharing how Block Island Coffee came to be. Never did she think one day she was going to open her own coffee company, but with the help of others she was able to do so. “There’s just so many people out here in Rhode Island that want to help you”. 

When shoplocalrhodeisland.com was looking for beta testers during the transition into the marketplace Kerri Gaffett was quick to respond! With Kerri’s help the marketplace is now a fully functioning, user friendly website. Throughout the summer season Kerri makes most of her sales at the Block Island farmers market but once the season dies down, the online marketplace will be crucial. “Online market is really important to me. That’s what carries me the rest of the year” Kerri shared.

Watch the full episode with Kerri Gaffett above to learn more about taking your curiosity and giving it life. And get some of her amazing coffee products right here on shoplocalrhodeisland.com

Each week on Business Over Breakfast, marketing experts Lori and Ben are joined by Rhode Island entrepreneurs who are living their dream of owning and running a business. If you’re a Rhode Island business owner and want to share your story please contact danielle@visualthrive.com and visit ShopLocalRhodeIsland to learn about other small businesses.