Tommiepreneurs For Social Change

For Noah Namowicz '09, his job at Cafe Imports is not just about serving a cup of coffee; it's about revolutionizing an industry, improving the livelihoods of small-scale farmers, and embracing sustainability from bean to cup.

The core mission of Cafe Imports is to uplift smallholder farmers, a marginalized group often working in remote areas with minimal resources. Rooted in principles that prioritize quality, service, education, and progress, Cafe Imports is driven by expanding their "circle of good".

A focus on sustainability and green coffee practices

When Namowicz joined the team in 2009, Cafe Imports was small and mighty but lacked a distinctive voice in the growing specialty coffee industry. As an intrapreneur, he played a pivotal role in shaping the company's brand.

"One of the biggest lessons I learned as an entrepreneurship major was that you don't have to be everything to everybody," he said. "It's about being everything to one person or group." In their case, progressive quality-focused roasters.

Recognizing the untapped market of baristas and younger coffee professionals within the emerging third-wave coffee movement, Namowicz spearheaded initiatives like sponsoring barista competitions and organizing trips to coffee-producing countries. Like Cafe Imports, these coffee professionals passionately prioritize higher-quality coffee, positive relationships with the farmers, and a better understanding of the story behind the cup.

"We started working with very progressive roasters around the country, including some incredible local companies that valued quality and traceability in their coffee," he said about the partnerships that helped shape and grow the company's signature branding on sustainability and green coffee practices.

Namowicz's role in kickstarting Cafe Imports' Australian operations and establishing La Bodega, their sister small-bag company, also showcased his knack for building and innovating within the company. Today, he's grown into the role of partner and SVP of sales, overseeing three sales and marketing teams on three continents.

Adding value to business opportunities

Initially, Namowicz didn't see himself working for any company other than his own, but the mission and energy of Cafe Imports drew him in and gave him an outlet for that entrepreneurial spirit. Every day he is energized by a new work challenge. "I always try to take any new business opportunity and think, about how can I add value to this equation," he said. "I definitely learned that from the Schulze School of Entrepreneurship."

It was also at the Schulze School where Namowicz competed in (and won) entrepreneurship competitions, offering a safe environment to test business plans. As an alumnus, he returns to St. Thomas to speak to college entrepreneurs, sharing lessons and lending his experiences. "I always tell students, 'Don't be afraid to try things. It probably isn't going to work the first time. You have a good network at St. Thomas to be able to have a crash pad underneath you.'"

Using their profits for good

Cafe Imports recently became B-Corp certified, another positive step toward increasing the quality of life for all those involved in coffee. For Namowicz, the spirit of service was something instilled in him as a student, whether it was serving customers or the broader community.

"A thing I really liked about St. Thomas was their focus on taking a position of being of service to others. It's not necessarily how I can make the most money off one individual or one group, but when I ask myself how I can be of service to these groups on both the consumption and the production side, the success in business follows. We're adding values on both ends of the equation at Cafe Imports, and it feels really good."