Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristin Kulik.
Hi Kristin, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I got into coffee when I was living near Seattle, WA, and I fell in love with it immediately! When I moved back to Florida, I decided I was going to learn everything I could about coffee, so I worked in a handful of coffee shops around central Florida. I would enter latte art throwdowns, brewers’ cups, roaster’s cuppings, and really just hang out at coffee shop that my friends worked at on my days off. I wanted to pursue roasting because that was the last accessible facet I have zero knowledge of. I’d show interest when it was appropriate, but no one wanted to take the time to teach me. So, one night after work, I scrolled through Facebook marketplace and found a one-pound roaster for sale; I turned to my husband and asked, “If I get this can we start our business?” Nick said, “Yes.” Three years later, we’re here in Raleigh with a larger roaster, a product rebrand, and new friends that support our pop-ups regularly!
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Nothing worth doing comes easily. We were fortunate enough to have a few big breaks, but there has been a lot of navigation required in this endeavor. We started in Orlando, were in operations for six months, then moved every up to Raleigh and immediately jumped into a roasting space after only two months!
Our company is called The Left Hook because we all take hits, and sometimes, we roll with the punches; other times, we have to punch back. We are constantly trying to make the experience of our products as genuine, approachable, and consistent as possible. In a society that has access to a wide range of coffee beverages, we want to make a big impression with minimal means.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I have had the opposite to be involved in culinary, coffee, management, consulting, and coaching in my professional life. I wear many hats because I like to stay busy and learn as much as I can! The best place I’ve ever worked has to be a pizza shop; the energy, the team, the environment was fun and fast. The most rewarding job I’ve ever done was being a women’s lacrosse coach for various ages; nothing could ever prepare me for interpersonal training better than a group of high school girls! The most challenging job I’ve worked would be the “mom and pop” shops that don’t have structure but are popular and have stayed afloat, so “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” philosophy is kind of hard to break through.
All that to say, these experiences have shaped me into the business operator that I want to be. I enjoy good coffee and genuine conversation. I look forward to check-ins with my regulars, “therapy” sessions during the slow times, and cheering on my friends when they bring good news to a pop-up! What sets me apart is having the experience of tough work environments and knowing better than to fall into bad habits.
We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Once you get to know me, I’m pretty much an open book. I think a lot of people are surprised when I tell them how long my partner, Nick, and I have been together. It will be 14 years in May, and he is my best friend, the sensible one, and the most steady. Left Hook wouldn’t exist without him. Something not so sappy would maybe be that if coffee never existed for me, I may have gone into engineering, super random, but it is a great interest of mine.
Pricing:
- 12oz bag of whole bean coffee 18-20$
- 12oz bottle of cold brew 5$
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thelefthookcoffee.com
- Instagram: The_lefthook
