We recently had the chance to connect with Jesse Mohler and have shared our conversation below.
Jesse, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
I think a lot of the time the coffee roasting world gets overlooked as an art or a craft. Because there have been so many roasters / shops pop up over the past 5 years or so, the market is a bit saturated, and I think sometimes it causes people to view roasting coffee as sort of a commodity vs a process that requires a great deal of artistry and creativity.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Jesse Mohler, I’ve run Kampfire Coffee Roasters since March 2018 in addition to working a full-time job as a graphic designer/digital uv print specialist. I attended the 2017 Columbus Coffee Festival (Columbus, OH) as a spectator and it sparked my curiosity about roasting coffee. I had made home-brewed beer before but never tried my hand at making coffee. After reading through all the stipulations on producing alcoholic beverages with the intent to sell, I decided coffee may be an easier option with less red tape and restrictions. So, I decided to start roasting – I began using a cast iron skillet over a fire, turning the green beans with a wooden spoon. I thought to myself, “I can roast better coffee than Starbucks, with just 2 tools and an open flame!” I kind of let that ethos, or stubbornness fuel my efforts haha. Soon after, I moved roasting indoors to my kitchen, where I’d use a whirly-pop popcorn maker over the stovetop, then graduated to a small stovetop nut roaster, and eventually to an actual small drum-style coffee roaster.
I grew up in rural southeastern Ohio, in the heart of the Hocking Hills region. So, a lot of the influences stem from growin up in that area. The love for a campfire, the idea of hanging with friends and swapping stories over a hot cup of coffee. Also, the “leave no trace” principles learned from camping and hiking the area helped fuel the minimalistic approach to the branding behind Kampfire Coffee – minimizing waste and doing my best to use eco-friendly materials for packaging.
My day job has kept me quite busy as of late, training a new employee to help manage the workload, but I have been steadily making efforts to grow my coffee roasting business by offering my coffee at a few new retail locations – the Witten Farm Market in Canal Winchester, OH being the newest addition.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
Hmm…. I’d have to say – not entirely related to coffee roasting by any means – but when I was in my high school band. Playing guitar with some of my best buddies and writing songs together, then playing them for an audience of friends and peers. Being on a stage and in the spotlight gave a pretty strong sense of power – to be able to lead an audience and to feel like my voice was being heard. This was great, for someone like me that typically struggles with social anxiety. It was a great way to conquer some of those fears and turn it into something fun.
When you were sad or scared as a child, what helped?
I would have to say that music has always been helpful in my life. It’s a good way to either escape a feeling of sadness or giving you an opportunity to sit with your sadness, feel it, process it, and know that someone else has felt similar. Song lyrics can be powerful motivation in that way, and they can help on so many levels.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
My father, of course. He’s always been a great man – although he’s never held any special positions of power or super-important job titles. Back in 2013 he had some serious, near fatal health issues and suffered a brain aneurysm while at work. Seeing the way he’s come back from that and deal with some of the new struggles with which he’s been presented; it’s motivating and inspiring. His character hasn’t been shaken, and his sense of humor remains.
I grew up in a small town with a large family and every time I’m visiting my hometown and run into someone & hear them mention my dad, it brings me joy – just knowing others recognize his character and attitude towards life.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I guess I’ve always strived to be authentic. So, I hope when I’m gone that’s one of the main things folks remember about me. I may not have had a crazy, outlandish life, but I’ve been real – and I hope that is one of the things that resonates most. Especially now, with influencers and social media giving people these false realities to try and compare their own lives to. While my life hasn’t been polished or glamourous, it’s real. And I hope that realness resonates with people and inspires them to be unapologetically themselves.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kampfirecoffee.com
- Instagram: kampfirecoffeeroastersllc
- Facebook: kampfirecoffeeroastersllc
Image Credits
all photos are my own, taken by me.
The one “Selfie” was taken by Zac Miller (Owner at Lindsey’s Bakery, Circleville, OH) during a black friday event at Mason Reta’s skateshop (Careless Heart Skateshop). Zac is taking the photo, Mason seated giving peace sign, and Me in the BLACK COFFEE shirt.
