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Voices Discovered: Mike Foster
June 21, 2018
Husband and wife team Mike and Pam Foster shown above in their High Point small batch coffee roasting shop.
On a quest for the perfect cup of coffee? So was Mike Foster – the Founder of our favorite local small batch coffee roaster: FosterHobbs Coffee Roasters. Recently we had the opportunity to speak with him about his journey for that perfect cup of coffee (and our favorite part of the interview was his answer to his best vacation!)
Established in 2012, FosterHobbs Coffee Roasters sources specialty grade Arabica coffee beans and roasts them daily in small batches to ensure that FosterHobbs Coffee (FHC) customers receive their coffee in its freshest state. Read along to learn more about his entrepreneurial journey leading to High Point.
Q: How did you wind up in the coffee business?
A. I discovered coffee on my first transatlantic flight. The coffee was extremely terrible and as soon as I landed in Stockholm, Sweden, I began the quest for the perfect cup of coffee. It turned out that that was a delicious place to begin my quest. Then about six or seven years ago, I discovered a gap in the United Kingdom surrounding the lack of Christian radio. I actually began FosterHobbs Coffee as a means to support a ministry I founded at the same time, Fill The Gap Concerts, which addresses this gap in the UK. In the meantime, I have found that there are even gaps in my back yard, so through Fill The Gap Concerts, we’re addressing the need to encourage young people with the Gospel through Christian events and experiences.
Q: What type of career would you have in an alternate universe?
A. Actually, this is really it. I left the left seat of the cockpit to begin a career in “an alternate universe.” I traded my wings for beans.
Q: What do you wish you knew when first starting that you know now?
A. Technology, Search Engine Optimization, website development, etc.
Q: What would people be surprised to learn about you?
A. That I was a commercial airline pilot.
Q: What motivates you?
A. Improving roast profiles, finding the best beans, touching people’s lives and making a difference.
Q: Best career advice you have ever received?
A. “Don’t take ‘no’ for an answer.” and “Don’t quit.”
Q: Favorite book (business or pleasure)?
A. I know it sounds cheesy, but it’s true, discovering the living power of the HOLY BIBLE has changed my life, personally and professionally.
Q: Best vacation you have taken?
A. Being in the airline business, our family has had (and even though retired- still have) the opportunity to fly anywhere but the BEST vacations I ever have are on the coffee farms where we get the coffee we roast. I will never, never, never forget the first time I picked coffee cherries. I love getting to know the people who cultivate, prune, pick, mill, and process our coffee beans. And its’s very important to Pam and I to make sure that they know that we appreciate all that they’re doing and that in return we are loving on the beans that they provide us and ensuring that the final product in the cup is as good as it can be.
Q: Where would we find you on a Sunday afternoon?
A. Elevation Church, working on my MGB or going to the movies.
Q: Your go-to cocktail (or mocktail)?
A. Our cold brew on Nitro tap.
Q: What makes you truly happy?
A. Family.
Q: As you know, HPU is right here with incredible students looking to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams – what three pieces of advice would you give them?
A.
Loving on our HPU friends is a great part of FHC (it’s one of Pam’s very favorite parts). HPU asked us the same exact question. See the link of the video they made on our website HERE: The three pieces of advice I always give are the same: 1. Do what you love. 2. Expect long hours. 3. Never give up!
High Point Favorites
Q: Where do you like to grab a last minute gift?
A. This is the truth – fresh roasted FHC.
Q: Restaurant you can’t get enough of?
A. Aw! We love them all, but really, really miss Gordy’s broasted chicken breast!
Q: Local shops doing everything right?
A. The Market
Q: Favorite place to grab a drink?
A. FHC
Q: Excluding yours, what High Point company or business do you admire the most?
A. We love the consistently friendly staff and pleasant atmosphere of Company’s Coming and Chic Fil A but the company that I most admire in High Point, most people may not know it is based here, Premier Productions.
Q: Where would you tell a first-time visitor to High Point to go and why?
A. HPU’s campus because it is inspiring to see young people taking advantage of a great education and to marvel at what can be accomplished through people with a dream and a passion to build something like this campus (every detail points to excellence).
It was a pleasure speaking with Mike and we are honored to share his story here. To learn more about FosterHobbs Coffee visit their website or better yet…run by their High Point based retail store located at:
(330 471-9041
Voices Discovered is a series where High Point Discovered asks questions to High Point business leaders and entrepreneurs to share their view, consider it a peek into the heart and soul of our local businesses. We hope you will be inspired to investigate more. Past guests have included Lisa Sherry and Ashley Davis Williams.
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The HP Discovered Team
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