How it Started

Back in 2013, Todd Johnson was experimenting with home roasting coffee using an old popcorn popper from the 1970’s. The coffee usually came out inconsistent, somehow too dark and too light at the same time, but the process was fascinating. With some work and upgrades, the coffee started tasting better and better, until it rivaled many of the specialty brands at the time. Todd’s friend Ryan Harlan took notice, and a new business was born. At the end of 2014, Ryan and Todd purchased their first production roaster with the help of supportive friends and family. After sourcing their initial coffees and through many trial roasts, Firelight Coffee was officially launched. Met with positive feedback and learning along the way, the guys clarified their vision and values of providing accessible coffee and moved to West Midtown in 2015. There, with the help of friends, Firelight Coffee opened their small production facility and a tasting room.

Growing Up

Firelight continued to grow organically as word of mouth spread. The tasting room was called a “hidden gem” (with an emphasis on “hidden”) inside the Strongbox West coworking space. During this time, the team focused on creating sustainable and equitable trade relationships with producers and importers. They learned that by investing early in relationships with producers and importers, booking coffee ahead, and upholding their word in trade deals, Firelight could help provide stability to producers they work with, while receiving the same in return. Many of the relationships formed with producers around this time are still in place today! Eventually, the production team expanded, a larger roaster was purchased, and Firelight moved to a bigger production facility (with no tasting room, sadly). With the expansion, the team was able to implement a recycling station for almost all waste that occurs in the roastery, a wholesale cold brew station, and expanded racks for storing coffee.

The Future

Firelight’s focus continues to be sourcing the best and most interesting coffees and making them accessible to anyone, not just coffee aficionados. Every coffee Firelight buys has an expanding set of benchmarks we check for around environmental sustainability, equitable trade and farming, community impact, and more. Looking ahead, Firelight plans to grow their presence by partnering with more amazing wholesale parters and cafes, while continuing to give the best coffees and value to our subscribers and online community.