Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Rochelle.
Hi Katie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
After I graduated from UNC-Wilmington in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies and a minor in Psychology, I wasn’t sure what came next for me. I spent months applying for jobs and trying to figure out what career path I wanted to take.
Unfortunately, all roads led to none and I found myself in a true state of soul searching. After a lot of no’s, closed doors, and failed attempts, I decided to stop chasing the “ideal” job of Monday-Friday, 40hours, benefits, etc, and asked myself, “If I can just do something that just makes me happy, what would it be?”
Coffee has always been something I LOVE to drink and the first thing I scout out anywhere I go is a good coffee shop. So, I decided, coffee it is. I knew I needed a break from all the pressure I had placed on myself and decided to apply to some local coffee shops. I applied to a shop previously called “Solar Cafe” in Sneads Ferry, NC, and little did I know at the time, it would be the start of something more. I got the job and absolutely fell in love with the art of coffee and the industry itself. I had never had any barista experience, but picked up on it quickly and just knew this was where I belonged.
I wasn’t sure at the time in what capacity I could make a career out of coffee, and the thought of owning my own shop just seemed like a dream way out of reach. I have been employed at this 8×16 drive-thru shop a little shy of a month when I get the word that the owner is closing down his business. I was so devastated, along with the rest of the staff. We loved our job and I myself had finally found something that simply made me happy. A week or so goes by, and I see that the coffee shop is up for sale… and after a few conversations with my parents, my now husband, close friends, and the good Lord, it was mine.
To say, I was excited and nervous was an understatement. I knew nothing about owning a business but literally became a business owner overnight. I was at a place spiritually where I was ready to take a risk and knew that God had a plan and purpose for me and that this was it. I tell people all the time that this is my testimony. God placed me here in that season of my life for a reason, and I’m so glad I listened. There were a lot of setbacks and challenges that I faced prior to opening, but I had never been more passionate and sure about my purpose with this. I rebranded and renamed the shop, which is how it became Coffee Haven. I knew I wanted my shop to serve as a safe place, a safe haven. While yes, I wanted to serve coffee, I also wanted to serve so much more.
I wanted to do God’s work through this platform He gave me. I wanted to serve my customers and community one cup of coffee at a time. We share so many moments over a cup of coffee, whether those moments are good, bad, little, or big, they are moments we will always remember and share with one another. Fast forward to today, Coffee Haven has been open for over 2 years now and just recently opened a second location last October in my hometown of Jacksonville, North Carolina, alongside my best friend and her business, The Grazing Tray. It’s been a surreal journey thus far.
I’ve learned so much about myself and grown more than I could have imagined. While it’s definitely not always easy, I remind myself that even the worst days, aren’t as bad as all the good days this business has given me. I’ve been able to give; to do good, to make a career out of something I love so much, that it doesn’t always feel like work, and to employ others who share the same passion. I’m forever grateful that I decided to take a risk and that Coffee Haven has become a part of me and my story.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. I opened a few months prior to COVID hitting in 2020, and while being primarily drive-thru, we weren’t affected drastically. I did have to close down for a week because I was unable to get milk.
When I first opened, I hadn’t had the time to look into a milk delivery and wasn’t sure how much product we would go through. I would go about once a week and purchase about 20 gallons of whole milk, when the pandemic hit this become impossible. With all the limitations they had on how many gallons you could purchase per person, it really became a hindrance.
I would have to ask friends and family to pick up milk and go to multiple stores just to get through the week. I finally reached out to Maola during the week we closed and was able to set up a delivery for the following week along with the assurance that we would have what we need to operate without the added stress of store hopping.
Another struggle we have had to face, along with many other businesses, was the lack of employees. I went through a few rough months of trying to find staff. I now had 2 locations and was in the midst of trying to get both staffed up. This was very trying. While we would have some applicants, we faced many people simply not showing up for their interview or just not getting enough people interested in working.
I will say, it has definitely improved and we are and have been at a better place staff-wise.
We’ve been impressed with Coffee Haven, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Coffee Haven is a specialty coffee shop located in Sneads Ferry, NC, and Jacksonville, NC, that serves coffee + kindness.
We offer a wide variety of drinks and flavors. We have everything from coffees, lattes, frappes, smoothies, and teas. We are known for all of our fun and creative drinks and flavors. We are always looking to create and offer something fun and unique for our customers. We currently have a fruity pebbles latte on our menu that is a must-try.
As far as our brand, our motto is “The best stains in life are coffee + kindness”. While we love coffee and the ability to serve and share it with our customers, we also love the ability to serve our community and stain kindness whenever possible. Our staff exemplifies kindness and goes above and beyond to make these connections with our customers.
Our mission is to give, to serve; to do good, one cup of coffee at a time. We love getting the opportunity to make a difference in our community while doing God’s work daily and having the ability to give back when possible.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My parents own a camper at North Topsail Beach and as a child, I grew up going down there and spending the majority of my summers by the beach.
This place holds such a special place in my heart and I have some of the fondest memories and developed some of my greatest childhood friendships there. I am forever grateful for this small slice of home by the sea.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Coffeehavennc.com
- Instagram: @coffeehavennc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoffeeHavenNC
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/coffee-haven-sneads-ferry-2
Image Credits
Alex Waddell and Katie Rochelle
