Today we’d like to introduce you to Jesus De Jesus.
Jesus, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I am originally from Puerto Rico I move to Michigan in 2006 looking for better doctors for my mother who unfortunately pass in 2007, then, I decide to stay in Michigan and start from zero, in the beginning, it was really hard for me. I didn’t speak the language and I have to adjust to a new culture. I move to Columbus Ohio in 2009 where I start working at Whole Foods Market, where I had held several positions, from Wine Test Demo Coordinator, Coffee Specialist/Buyer, Coffee Associate Team Leader and others. In my pass thru Whole Foods, I move back to Michigan and from there to Chicago Illinois. When I was at Whole Foods, I have the opportunity to meet great people and I learn a lot but I want to expand in the coffee industry, that’s how I got into Bridgeport Coffee. I start on the position of Director of Whole Sales Operation and from there I got the position of Vice-President of operations in March this year.
From the beans to the cup, then coffee, this is my greatest passion, it’s not just a job, coffee is in my blood. I am is the second generation in the coffee business. My father used to own a coffee farm in Puerto Rico.
In Bridgeport Coffee, I traveled to coffee farms, learn more about the coffee, (process, varieties, meet the coffee farmers, the pickers, awesome people in the industry, run the operation of our 4 coffeehouses and much more, definitely, this has been one of the greatest experiences I ever had.
Has it been a smooth road?
The death of my mother. When I decide to leave Puerto Rico and move here, never pass through my mind I was to be alone on my way. I lost my best friend, my mother in a new place, where I do not speak the language and everything was strange for me. That was scary and hard to get through.
The language was definitely a challenge, of course, I was 28 years old when I move and at that age, it was kind of hard to learn a new language. I decided to watch TV in English, find friends who don’t speak Spanish and go to school in English.
I learn here to never say I can’t and look beyond my obstacles.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Bridgeport Coffee Company – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
We are Bridgeport Coffee, we open our first location at 31st and Morgan back in 2004. There, Mike Pilkington, the founder was roasting coffee one pound at the time. From there, we open our roastery at Ashlan and start roasting on a fluid bed Sivetz Roaster. Our fluid-bed roasting facility means that our beans are roasted in the air that moves instead of metal that can burn — offering you a more sophisticated experience in every cup.
Importers – we import coffee from different farms around the world this is our relationship coffee. We know the farmers, we go to the farm. That’s what coffee is about for us. We have been going to the farms since 2009.
Environment – we care about our planet, we support the efforts of The Wetlands Initiative in their efforts to return our area wetlands and area waterways to a state that our native plants and animals can return. I became acquainted with this organization a number of years ago when they had a proposal to convert the south branch (Bubbly Creek) of the Chicago River to a wetland. Unfortunately, politics and finances got in the way, and that project is dead. The organization lives on and continues to do fantastic work.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I am proud to be Puerto Rican and to be represented in Chicago. This is where I found the love of my life, the career of my dreams, and the place where I can call home.
Here, I can find everything from the Puerto Rican street food, to the finest Italian dining. I love how diverse our city is and how welcoming the culture is. I love seeing the beautiful architecture as I am walking around Downtown and every neighborhood around Chicago.
While I love the city, there are some aspects that we can improve on. For example, even though there are recycling bins located around Chicago, I feel that there can be more located in a variety of places to make the city more eco-friendly.
Contact Info:
- Address: 3101 S Morgan St
Chicago, IL 60608 - Website: Bridgeportcoffee.net
- Phone: 773-247-3320
- Email: wholesale@bridgeportcoffee.net
- Instagram: Instagram.com/bridgeportcoffee
- Facebook: Fecabook.com/bridgeportcoffee
Image Credit:
Mairead Zigulich, Moments With Mairead
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