What do people call you at RMC? At home?
"Uhh, dad, uhh father, uhhhh Acro-yogi, . . . that's about it. Outside of Round Mountain Coffee, just about the same thing."
How long have you been working at RMC?
"I have been working at it since about three years ago when I came back from DC and I've been wanting to open my own coffee shop since. So, its been a long journey, and then RMC opened on October 24th, 2016 so now it's 2017. So it feels like a long time. . ."
What’s your favorite drink? RMC and elsewhere
"It tends to change, I would say that my favorite drink at RMC is the flat white, I like the complexity of the milk with the shots of espresso, its just enough milk to cut some of the sharpness of the espresso we have, yet at the same time, a really sweet beverage overall. I would say if it was a coffee drink I love and hold dear to my heart, it would be (random mumbling, something about shots of shine) the One + One, it has a shot on the side of the cortado, so it's a cortado shot separated so that it allows me to taste the sweetness and the colorful tasting of an espresso shot and how well the steamed milk is done by the baristas. I usally get that when I go to another shop. (Continues to miss the question) But all I like is coffee!"
Apples or oranges?
"Oranges."
If you had a super-power, what would it be?
"I already have a super-power, and it's the ability that I can say anything to anybody without them getting super mad at me, but if I had another, it would probably be the ability to control things with my mind, lift things up, what is that called. . . psyco something. . . (Figures out name 4 hours later). TELEKINESIS. Boom! Figured it out! "
What is something you’re passionate about?
"Besides coffee, uhh, I'm passionate about helping others complete their dreams, I think that's why I'm called dad a lot. I'm also passionate about lifting people up in the air with my hands and feet, literally."
If you could travel to any place in the world right now, where would that be?
"I would travel to . . . probably New Zealand, it is on my bucket list for sure, but if we're talking about inland, I would want to see the Red Woods and the Grand Canyon for sure."
What’s unique about RMC you can’t find anywhere else in Conway?
"I would say that the overall experience of RMC is one of the most unique experiences you can have because we create relationships on a first name basis, and the fact that there is so much hugging going on at RMC that makes it a unique experience between employees and customers. I would say that that's really unique, besides roasting in house, . . . I love that we're so friendly and the atmosphere, and we're just super helpful to everyone around us and we care more about our community than anyone else around."
What’s the one thing you look forward to most coming in for a shift?
"I just get really excited about the conversations we're about to have and the one dope-a$$ latte art pour of the day. "
Someone who has never tried coffee before in their life comes in (excluding Steve Forbush) to the store, what do you say to them?
"Give it a chance; I feel like coffee has such a bad rap. I've been reading a lot of books recently about how most coffee gurus first experience was with canned coffee . . . Folgers, and that was my first experience too. During my Starbucks interview, I B.S.ed it saying I loved coffee but I had never really liked it. It's not something you're going to love when you first start trying it, but its something you can learn to really appreciate and love it overtime. Give it a try! We have plenty of other alternatives for those who don't."
What’s something you’ve learned about yourself working at RMC?
"Oh geez, a lot. I've learned what it takes to be a leader and how to communicate better. Personally, about myself, I've learned how much I love creating people's day. How much joy that brings me, that the start of their day begins with me and that its full of energy and life. "
What’s your favorite food to pair with any kind of coffee?
"I really like fruit . . . oranges with acidic coffee, fruit really brings out a different characteristic of coffee. Coffee is originally a fruit, it starts off as a cherry and it becomes the roasted coffee bean you see. Any kind of fruit pairing with coffee is great. "
If you could pair any of your six roasts with any kind of food, what would it be?
"I really like our Pinnacle blend with our butter bars . . . when you pair those two together, the bitters and the tobacco taste pairs so well with the bars. Outside of the store I would pair blueberry cheesecake with our East Timor roast. You have these really nice sweet tones of the cheesecake plus the blueberry that makes everything really pop in the coffee . . . I like it a lot."