Ubuntu: I am what I am because of who we all are

Ubuntu is an African word that is best described as “I am what I am because of who we all are”. 

Seth Dudenhofer was a fellow intern with me in Munice, IN. We both were part of a two year internship program that focused on ministry and coffee-think alternative seminary that was funded by a third wave coffee roasting company. We would gather for bible and theology classes in the morning, share lunch with each other and then some of us would go next door to the roasting company, Alliance World Coffees, while others went their respective ways.

More on that internship later, but now back to Ubuntu.

It was Seth who introduced the word to us in class one morning. It was on his radar because Seth is a software/computer “geek” and in his realm Ubuntu is an open source software of sorts. 

If you just think about it, it makes sense!! Ubuntu - open source software…

I was fortunate enough to have a two week family vacation in June, which was filled with adventures in Northern California. It was at this time that I began to reflect on Fika over the years, 12 years to be exact! I can still remember the night before my first Farmer’s Market in Grand Marais, the roaster was in the shed but not installed yet, so I spent several hours doing 100 gram batches on my tiny little Quest M3 Sample roaster. So many memories fill my mind, from that moment all the way to present day where we are building a Fika Headquarters from the ground up! 

Over the last 12 years, there have been many different folks who have been part of the Fika Family: friends who have given their time and resources; family—especially my family—who have lived a sacrificial life so I can pursue and build this dream I have; customers that I have met (local, seasonal, some come in for a brief time period and then leave); truck drivers who bring us our green beans; the milkman; the UPS driver; the post office workers—the list goes on and on.

Reflecting on the journey of Fika Coffee over the past 12 years, I am reminded of the essence of Ubuntu. It’s not just about the coffee or the business; it’s about the community that has supported and nurtured it. From friends and family to customers and delivery workers, every person has played a vital role in shaping what Fika Coffee is today.

As we look to the future, building our Fika Headquarters, I am filled with gratitude and excitement, knowing that this journey is shared with so many incredible people. Ubuntu truly embodies the spirit of Fika Coffee – we are who we are because of each and every one of you.

Thank you for being part of our story.