Khanyiso Dumisana has dreamed of being a businessman since he was 13-years-old, so he worked hard and went from brewing coffee to owning a coffee brand.
Cape Town, South Africa – Khanyiso Dumisana of Journey Coffee has an incredible story showing how hard work and determination lead to success. His story started when he started working for a fair trade coffee start-up. The job provided the inspiration and support necessary to get his venture off the ground.
His drive and ability to spot an opportunity has seen his business grow to be one of the top five purchasers of his former employers’ beans.
“I’ve wanted to own a business since I was 13 – but I didn’t know what it would be. I worked as a barista for a couple of years, landing a job at Bean There in Cape Town. I became a coffee roaster, and I learned the art of selecting, roasting and processing beans, as well as coffee cupping,” says Dumisana.
During his time with the fair trade coffee company Bean There, Dumisana carefully observed the behind-the-scenes of the business. He learned how to run a coffee roastery and cafe, how to ensure the consistency of quality coffee and the importance of sourcing beans ethically while paying fair prices to farmers. After seven years with the company, he let his employers know that he wanted to take on his market.
By that point, he knew he wanted to sell fair trade coffee.
“It is aligned with my beliefs, it suits my brand – and I love that the beans have a story. I know exactly where they come from and how they’ve been sourced. I know that my suppliers have real relationships with the people who grow the beans.”
Dumisana named Journey Coffee’s unique blend after his wife Fundi, who he says has been vital to the company’s success. The pair built the business to the point that it has stands at the Oranjezicht City Farmer’s market, a top global accountancy firm, a number of school events, fairs and private events.
When he started out, Dumisana did not have a coffee machine – or much capital. His former employer believed in his dream and helped him get started in his very own venture.
“Bean There helped us get going, only charging us for the coffee we sold. It really helped us get a footing so that we could start to grow. We went from three staff to 10, including part-timers, and were soon able to buy our own equipment,” he says.
Both Dumisana and Bean There believe in fair trade. Fairtrade is defined by the trade between companies in developed countries and producers in developing countries in which fair prices are paid to the producers.
“Fair trade stems from a belief in helping your partners in trade to grow their own businesses and improve their profits,” says Jonathan Robinson, founder of Bean There.
“From that standpoint, it only made sense for us to partner with and assist an entrepreneurial employee. It’s paid off in a big way now that Khanyiso is one of our biggest customers.”
The two still have a strong business and personal relationship; “Bean There is like my family – I pop in all the time, trying their new roasts and catching up. If they ever need an extra coffee machine, I offer mine up,” says Dumisana.
Dumisana tries to train three new quality baristas a year – it’s his way of giving other young people a step up. His new dream is to establish a training college, able to supply Cape Town’s booming coffee scene with skilled staff and a commitment to fair trade goods. As the first Fairtrade coffee suppliers in South Africa, Bean There’s approach to doing business is taking hold.
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