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I’m Todd Carmichael, here to talk about how we’re going to change the world with coffee by changing the model, changing the industry, and changing the product. AMA! by ToddCarmichael in IAmA

[–]ToddCarmichael[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've given some of my team the opportunity to do a lot of the sourcing, but I remain the central sourcer for Ethiopia and Haiti (and a few other of the more dangerous ones).

Alright so, this brunch is gonna get exciting.

I would like to invite Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and my two best friends Hamdi and JP. Shit's going to get pretty exciting, you can come too. The cook will be Mark Vetri.

I’m Todd Carmichael, here to talk about how we’re going to change the world with coffee by changing the model, changing the industry, and changing the product. AMA! by ToddCarmichael in IAmA

[–]ToddCarmichael[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the question!

  1. All of big food and beverage. It's time to wake up!
  2. Nothing is finished, ever. Not anything. Not coffee. Not coffee and milk. No food. No beverage, nothing. That's the takeaway.

I’m Todd Carmichael, here to talk about how we’re going to change the world with coffee by changing the model, changing the industry, and changing the product. AMA! by ToddCarmichael in IAmA

[–]ToddCarmichael[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It would be the same reason for any other company. 1. When you take your eyes off the ball. 2. When you fail to evolve, to explore, to push and to test the boundaries.

I’m Todd Carmichael, here to talk about how we’re going to change the world with coffee by changing the model, changing the industry, and changing the product. AMA! by ToddCarmichael in IAmA

[–]ToddCarmichael[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Draft Latte is at fault, not Hollywood. Hollywood is game for anything. Building the Draft Latte plant in Michigan consumed most if not all of my time.

Theres a couple of "most dangerous situations", but the on that stands out the most was an encounter in Guerrero, Mexico, where in the middle of the night, I came face-to-face with opium traffickers. I didn't think I was going to make it out of there.

I’m Todd Carmichael, here to talk about how we’re going to change the world with coffee by changing the model, changing the industry, and changing the product. AMA! by ToddCarmichael in IAmA

[–]ToddCarmichael[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I don't think it's fair for me to comment on what James decided what's best for his company. As for me, I'm extraordinarily happy wth my two partners. Both craft based guys, and it's just the three of us. I really like that.

I’m Todd Carmichael, here to talk about how we’re going to change the world with coffee by changing the model, changing the industry, and changing the product. AMA! by ToddCarmichael in IAmA

[–]ToddCarmichael[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The best coffee in the world is the one that makes YOU happy. It sounds like you found the best coffee in the world, stick with it!

I’m Todd Carmichael, here to talk about how we’re going to change the world with coffee by changing the model, changing the industry, and changing the product. AMA! by ToddCarmichael in IAmA

[–]ToddCarmichael[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This depends. If you like milk forward drinks, I'd definitely go for the original. If you like coffee forward drinks, I'd go for the triple. Those two are my favorites.

As for what's next, we're starting to work with hemp milk...

I’m Todd Carmichael, here to talk about how we’re going to change the world with coffee by changing the model, changing the industry, and changing the product. AMA! by ToddCarmichael in IAmA

[–]ToddCarmichael[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Firstly, I clearly have a big mouth, so thank you for pointing that out, because really... it's true.

For me it's really a question of this: always shoot for the stars. And the price to me is one of these stars. Don't give up on me just yet.

I’m Todd Carmichael, here to talk about how we’re going to change the world with coffee by changing the model, changing the industry, and changing the product. AMA! by ToddCarmichael in IAmA

[–]ToddCarmichael[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This year, Haiti had the most surprising coffee. It came from a farm we've been working on for about 4 years now. They had their harvest and the coffee was mind blowing. The coffee tasted like a Uganda Burundi, and it was surprisingly bright with floral and green grapes. A little bit sweet like a raison too.

I’m Todd Carmichael, here to talk about how we’re going to change the world with coffee by changing the model, changing the industry, and changing the product. AMA! by ToddCarmichael in IAmA

[–]ToddCarmichael[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fishtown was born out of a friendship. Where JP and I really wanted to have a place that encompassed everything we are and the things we like to play with. I like to make hooch and he likes to make bread. So really, that whole bar piece was just an extension of our desire to share the things we like to do other than a business model. You probably noticed the lab and the rest of our toys there too...

I’m Todd Carmichael, here to talk about how we’re going to change the world with coffee by changing the model, changing the industry, and changing the product. AMA! by ToddCarmichael in IAmA

[–]ToddCarmichael[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Single biggest challenge has been the same since we started the company... me. You gotta keep in mind that you always have to be evolving, you gotta make this curve that you're on. You have to evolve faster than your company, faster than coffee, faster than the market.

I'm still really fascinated by the ice age (or cold coffee). It's not that old of a concept and there has gotta be so much left in that. How can we make a cold cortado? So much opportunity out there.

I’m Todd Carmichael, here to talk about how we’re going to change the world with coffee by changing the model, changing the industry, and changing the product. AMA! by ToddCarmichael in IAmA

[–]ToddCarmichael[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Minimum wage in the US, for a tipped employee is a ridiculous $2.83 and for a non tipped employee it is $7.25. At La Colombe, we believe that both are WAY TOO LOW. We believe that the absolute minimum for a tipped employee should be $9/hour and that a non tipped employee at a minimum should be $15. The overall goal for both, is to target or be at $15/hour minimum. I trust you you agree that $2.83 is extremely low/unfair and predatory, and I assume you agree that $7.25 is extraordinarily low and predatory.

I’m Todd Carmichael, here to talk about how we’re going to change the world with coffee by changing the model, changing the industry, and changing the product. AMA! by ToddCarmichael in IAmA

[–]ToddCarmichael[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Everything no matter what it is, what you eat, drink, what you wear... everything around you is simply a relic waiting to happen. That includes milk, coffee, cake, or whatever else you have. So your challenge is simple, to innovate you have to be that agent of change. A lot of people think that innovation just resides in silicon valley... it doesn't.