10 Minutes With Bj Davis

February 7, 2014 Sarah 10 Minutes With... Comments Off

BJ DAVIS
CO-OWNER
BEE COFFEE ROASTERS, INC.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA

What other coffee jobs have you had?

Coffee Zone, Indianapolis; Trainer, General Manager
Cafe@Ray, Indianapolis; Barista/Baker
Stanton Coffee, Indianapolis; Sales/Barista/Consultant

There's Bj in the middle at the DigIN The Taste of Indiana, an annual farm to fork culinary festival. We always serve some iced coffee with an Indiana ingredient. Pictured here with Bj is her business partner, Andy (in glasses), and Bee Coffee barista, Molly. — There’s Bj in the middle at the DigIN The Taste of Indiana, an annual farm to fork culinary festival. We always serve some iced coffee with an Indiana ingredient. Pictured here with Bj is her business partner, Andy (in glasses), and Bee Coffee barista, Molly.

What’s your favorite part about working in coffee?

I have met so many interesting people who have become my friends. We can always reconnect over a cup of coffee.

Where do you ideally see yourself in 10 years?

I would like to retire and travel, do volunteer work, and hang out in lots of coffee shops!

Bj competing in a Competing in the United States Barista Championship at the SCAA in Long Beach, being judged by Jeff Taylor of PT's Coffee. — Bj competing in a Competing in the United States Barista Championship at the SCAA in Long Beach, being judged by Jeff Taylor of PT’s Coffee.

Who and what inspires you?

I am truly inspired by all of the young coffee folks starting their own roasteries and shops.

Here's Bj in her former life as a professional flower girl. — Here’s Bj in her former life as a professional flower girl.

What are you drinking right now?

A black raspberry mead infused with our espresso ”it is evening, after all!

Crazy/memorable coffee experience you’d like to share?

Trying to buy an espresso machine off the Chicago Coffee Fest floor. I walked into the Nuova Simonelli booth and an Italian man took me by the hand, and ran me all over the show floor showing me his machines. Then he stopped, looked at me, and said, “You can’t have any of these, I need them for SCAA!” I was sad only for a second when he grabbed my hand again, and led me back to his booth to a green Aurelia. He made me a great deal, and I get to tell everyone about meeting Gianni.

Bj judging at the Great Lakes Regional Barista Competition.

What do you do when you’re not doing coffee?

I’m a crazy cat lady. I also like to cook and garden.

About Sarah 938 Articles

Sarah Allen (she/her) is co-founder and editor of Barista Magazine, the international trade magazine for coffee professionals. A passionate advocate for baristas, quality, and the coffee community, Sarah has traveled widely to research stories, interact with readers, and present on a variety of topics affecting specialty coffee. She also loves animals, swimming, ice cream, and living in Portland, Oregon.