BLAINE, Maine – A younger entrepreneur from Blaine has turned his love of espresso right into a full-time enterprise.
Noah Parenteau, 19, based Increased Grounds Espresso with just a few hundred {dollars} and a used trailer when he was simply 16 years outdated.
Beginning a enterprise in rural Aroostook County throughout a pandemic is dangerous. Companies are closing or restructuring, and provide chain disruptions have introduced commerce to a halt. However Parenteau knew he had what everybody needed and vowed to make it work.
“I began with $300, just a few luggage of espresso, and a small electrical roaster that made a few pound at a time, and it was enjoyable,” says Parenteau. “Issues began off a bit gradual however it’s positively grown from there.”
Parenteau roasted beans for the primary time for household and buddies. He is had an in-house espresso roaster for about two years and loves with the ability to management high quality and freshness, he says.
He makes use of all-natural espresso with no synthetic flavors added, roasting the beans slowly for 8 to 10 minutes. Correctly venting the equipment will guarantee mild roasts, however he has additionally experimented with medium and darkish roasts, he says.
Considered one of his bestsellers, he says, is Acadia Mix, which has a pure blueberry taste.
Parenteau will get its uncooked produce from high-altitude farms in Ethiopia, Guatemala, Colombia and Sumatra.
Espresso grown at altitudes above 3,000 toes can produce extra flavorful beans, in line with trade publication Excellent Each day Grind.
Increased Grounds just isn’t a brick-and-mortar retailer. Regardless of beginning a web based enterprise, Parenteau purchased a used trailer final February, taking out a mortgage to show it into an insulated barista with wheels. It was licensed and able to go in September.
Now he goes to farmers markets and neighborhood occasions, just like the craft truthful at Aroostook Mall in Presque Isle. He sells packaged espresso to make at dwelling and drinks like lattes, cappuccinos and scorching chocolate, he mentioned.
He maintains social media websites and has a web site that sells floor and entire beans. The Increased Grounds trailer is parked within the Mars Hill Pharmacy parking zone on Thursdays and Fridays.
Parenteau needed to broaden, however was confronted with challenges.
“Once you have been younger [business] you do not have entry to raised costs on espresso, elements and the like,” he mentioned. “There are not any conventional shops [store]Individuals do not know that your corporation exists just about.”
Parenteau mentioned on-line gross sales grew quickly on the top of the pandemic, however have declined a bit these days. To spice up his enterprise, he went into wholesale for a Presque Isle grocery retailer and revamped his web site.
Parenteau desires to start out providing natural espresso, however thus far value has been a problem as a result of shopping for inexperienced or unroasted espresso may be very costly, he mentioned.
Presently, he’s the one worker, however Parenteau plans to rent sooner or later.
Parenteau encourages different younger entrepreneurs to start out a enterprise.
“It should be tougher than you count on, however do not let that cease you,” he mentioned.
