Why Small Businesses Matter
Shop small, do big things for your community
Why Small Businesses Matter puts a spotlight on the local merchants who donate their time, talent, goods, and services for the betterment of our community. The shop local movement spreads virally as local businesses who are “tagged” have the opportunity to share their story!
You're IT Upwell Coffee!
Four questions with Dave Hudson, founder of Upwell Coffee.
Why did you start your business?
We started Upwell Coffee Co. to provide a way for people to support local and international conservation efforts with something they do every day: drink coffee. We know from our experience in the field as scientists that even $50 can make a world of difference in conservation, paying for vessel costs, gas for vehicles, or chemical reagents.
We also know that constantly chasing grant funding draws the attention of non-profit conservation organizations away from their central mission: to drive the science and conservation outcomes that will make a difference for our waterways and ocean. As such, we give at least a $1 donation to each of six non-profit partners: Remote Ecologist, Harbor Watch, The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, The Amphibian Foundation, The Oceanic Society (for their sea turtle grants program), and to SECORE International (corals). We also work with some non-profits who are not yet full partners to advance their fundraising needs.
What is your best-selling product/service?
Our best seller is by far our Mesophotic Medium Roast coffee subscription!
We work with AMA Marketing, also out of Darien, CT, for our marketing needs on social media. We also work with the non-profits Remote Ecologist (Darien, CT), Harbor Watch (Earthplace, Westport, CT), and The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk to drive sales to advance our conservation-giving goals.
Have you "reimagined" your small business?
During the pandemic, we stayed the course as with the ability to support wholesale restaurant and store sales, though the former business performed better. Our reimagination has primarily focused on our soon-to-be-released coffee/conservation short video series we are initiating with Remote Ecologist, focused on weekly goings-on in the conservation and science field. These shorts will be posted to our Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube accounts. The aim is to make the impact of buying our coffee or tea more tangible for the project outcomes of our partners.
Visit Upwell Coffee online here, and make sure to check out their Facebook, and Instagram pages as well!
HamletHub thanks Fairfield County Bank for making our Why Small Businesses Matter series possible!