LONE OAK Coffee Co.

Imagine cradling a warm cup of coffee, its steam rising and enticing you with an irresistible aroma. As you take that first sip, you are immediately transported to a distant part of the world.

Whether it’s the velvety richness of a South American roast, the fruity notes of an African blend, or the spicy undertones of an Asian origin, each brew is waiting to reveal its distinct story.

It takes a master roaster like LONE OAK Coffee Co. to tell the tale and capture the essence of the world’s finest brews in every cup.

With a focus on curating international coffee cultures, the wholesale coffee roasting company imports over 1,000 pounds of beans every week, meticulously organizing them according to their countries of origin and transforming them into an array of nine unique flavor profiles—creating blends that indulge the diverse palates of coffee aficionados.
The Secret to a Perfect Blend

Much as the art of coffee roasting melds with scientific precision, LONE OAK’s business represents a balanced blend of its co-owners—Sam Kayser’s expertise in coffee science and Bethann Beeman’s entrepreneurial acumen.

On the one hand, Kayser is the head roaster certified by the Speciality Coffee Association (SCA). His deep understanding of the scientific aspects of coffee, from molecular processes to heat and energy management, ensures every roast is impeccable. Beeman, on the other, has expertise in market trend tracking, branding, and managing a robust supply chain. Having owned multiple restaurants and successfully managed various projects, she brings invaluable business and management insights to the table.

Their skills are complementary, providing comprehensive expertise, whether they are advising coffee businesses on navigating intricate operational complexities or guiding coffee producers in optimizing their techniques to improve the quality of their coffee beans.

“Our mission is to elevate the quality of life and standard of living for both the coffee baristas and coffee producers with whom we partner. We are committed to importing only ethically sourced beans, operating with a high level of transparency and responsibility, and fostering a sustainable coffee industry,” says Kayser.

The Winning Formula

A cornerstone of its success lies in its keen ability to stay abreast of current trends. LONE OAK actively participates in trade shows and expos, focusing on industry advancements, quality, and transparency. It also competes in prestigious roasting events, often winning against much larger companies.

For example, at a competition in Seattle (2017), LONE OAK placed ninth nationwide, despite being the smallest participating company. In the Golden Bean North America competition, regarded as the world’s largest coffee roasting event, it consistently earns bronze medals for its espresso blend, outperforming hundreds of other entrants.

The secret to its award-winning coffee is an artisanal roasting approach. Automation is deliberately kept to a minimum. Although state-of-the-art equipment is used— specifically Diedrich infrared coffee roasters from Idaho— LONE OAK always minimizes automation in favor of human expertise. The roasters use observational tools, such as live graphing and real-time calculations, to precisely adjust temperature, airflow, and heat. In essence, every batch undergoes rigorous scrutiny, with a set of human eyes and hands overseeing the process. Any errors, rare as they may be, are promptly rectified.

Quality control extends beyond the roasting process. The company engages in a weekly coffee cupping session. In this controlled environment, samples from various batches are evaluated side-by-side, allowing for immediate refinements. This constant monitoring and adjustment cycle ensures a product meets stringent quality criteria.

Creating a Road to Success for Budding Coffee Shops

Far more than an adept coffee roaster, LONE OAK serves as a guide for entrepreneurs seeking to launch and operate successful cafes, coffee bars, or coffee truck ventures. It tackles the complexities of restaurant setups, identifying and resolving bottlenecks and pre-emptively helping clients avoid missteps that could delay openings or compromise operations.

For instance, when entrepreneurs are in the initial stages of launching a coffee truck business, navigating health inspection requirements is a critical component. From identifying appropriate equipment and storage solutions to outlining hygiene protocols, LONE OAK acts as a compass, directing clients toward a successful inspection.

Kayser’s barista experience gives him a granular understanding of the ideal shop layout, customer flow, and the art of multitasking in high-traffic settings. He often conducts comprehensive barista training sessions, empowering clients to troubleshoot issues in brewing techniques and uphold rigorous quality standards.

Given this wealth of knowledge, it is no surprise LONE OAK frequently fields questions on specialized brewing methods like cold brew, assisting clients in choosing the right techniques and beans for their specific needs.

The company’s guidance proves invaluable for unconventional coffee ventures as well. For instance, a gas station food outlet owner sought LONE OAK’s expertise to introduce gourmet coffee to their service portfolio.

With no prior experience in coffee services, the client required specialized advice on equipment choices, operational workflow, and customer engagement. LONE OAK guided them in equipping the staff with the skills to operate espresso machines accurately and coached them on effective customer communication.
As a testament to the effectiveness of the consultative approach, the food outlet successfully opened three locations, with plans for further expansion. This success story reverberates in the community, as many locals, including friends of the LONE OAK team, are frequent customers.

Beans for Every Demographic

When dealing with diverse client needs, LONE OAK considers the demographic characteristics of a particular locale.

For instance, a cafe in a rural area aiming to attract younger, coffee-centric customers will require roast profiles and a tailored atmosphere that has a rustic appeal of the countryside. Drawing on its experience, LONE OAK is well-positioned to offer insightful recommendations that can resonate with the local populace.

Another case highlights the company’s proficiency in offering consultation to the Academies of Loudoun, a multifaceted educational facility. While the institution had already procured initial planning and equipment, specialized knowledge was needed to bring the full-service coffee bar vision to fruition.

LONE OAK quickly identified bottlenecks in the proposed design, particularly around the cash register’s placement and equipment adequacy. The solutions would facilitate efficient student flow during class breaks. It also provided key insights into adhering to school-specific food and beverage regulations.
Its recommendations and ongoing consultation have made the coffee bar a popular spot for students and staff alike, setting a remarkable precedent for full-service coffee spaces within educational environments.

Brewing Customer Relationships

“We don’t just send invoices and call it a day. We make every customer’s challenge our own. This level of dedication is a must in our craft-focused, customer-centric approach,” says Kayser.

Whether introducing seasonal coffee selections to inject a sense of novelty or personally checking on every client’s order, the team always operates on a level of familiarity.

“When a customer reaches out with an order that deviates from their norm, we’re quick to re-engage. We want to understand the motivations behind the change, whether it is a shift in business strategy or a reaction to seasonal trends,” says Beeman.

In cases where a regular customer fails to place an order, LONE OAK initiates contact and discerns the cause. The team is so in sync with its customer community they can prevent issues before they arise.

Beeman likens the team’s role to that of an emergency hotline.

“They can call us anytime and get answers to every question they have. It is like having coffee experts as friends,” she says.

LONE OAK went above and beyond when a client found themselves nearly short of retail bags during the Christmas rush. The LONE OAK team expedited the order and ensured additional stock was available to cope with holiday demand.

Unlike many competitors who might simply process the order, LONE OAK regards selling coffee as an exercise in relationship-building.

Putting Local Coffee Growers on a Global Platform

While LONE OAK has built its reputation as a customer-centric coffee supplier, it also serves as a critical conduit between coffee growers and consumers, particularly small farmers who often lack the resources and expertise to compete in broader markets.

LONE OAK’s mission is dual-faceted. It delivers an exceptional coffee experience to clients while empowering growers to elevate the quality and reach of their products.

Navigating the complexities of coffee cultivation and sales can be daunting for small farmers. Factors such as moisture content, bean size, and processing techniques are pivotal in determining the quality and flavor profile of the final product. At times, when needed LONE OAK acts as a mentor and technical advisor, evaluating the quality of beans and guiding farmers in optimizing their production processes—from quality assessment to entering new markets, including compliance with international standards.

To illustrate its impact, consider the case of a coffee farmer from El Salvador. Eager to introduce his family’s first crop to the U.S. market, he partnered with LONE OAK for quality assessment and advisory services. Not only did the firm roast sample beans and recommend alterations to the processing methods, it also assisted them in navigating the complexities of international trade, including market standards for coffee imports.

The company is committed to leveraging its platform to make a difference. A noteworthy example involves two Colombian sisters who sought to sell their family’s coffee beans to LONE OAK. What began as a potential sales transaction evolved into a strategic alliance. It expertly roasted the beans while the sisters assumed responsibility for marketing their product to cafés and roasters throughout their region.

While the immediate financial returns for many of these partnerships might be modest for LONE OAK, the real value in fostering the local enterprises is immeasurable.

Broadening Its Reach and Impact

In a strategic diversification move, LONE OAK has extended its purview beyond coffee, venturing into collaborations with local breweries and distilleries. These partnerships are far from cursory. They involve in-depth tastings and consultations to identify coffee profiles that synergize with various draught beers.

Beyond its brewery collaborations, LONE OAK has demonstrated an astute awareness of emerging industry trends, notably the resurgence of instant coffee. Driven by the consumer demand for convenience without sacrificing quality, it is actively exploring avenues to introduce high-quality instant coffee offerings. The foray into these sectors isn’t an act of opportunism; it results from thoughtful analysis and preparation.

The company believes sharing a great cup of coffee with family and friends can lead to lasting memories. Kayser and Beeman want LONE OAK coffee to enhance every life it touches, one cup at a time.