14-Year-Old Opens Specialty Coffee Roastery in UK

Last year, while on a school exchange trip to Malawi, 14-year-old Ben Garnett wasn’t thinking about sightseeing. His mind was elsewhere—on coffee farmers, their challenges, and how he could help. That trip sparked an idea: launch a coffee business that not only sources high-quality beans directly from growers but also funds better education for kids in poverty. Today, he’s doing just that—and he’s only 14.

Yes, a 14-year-old has started his own coffee roasting company, Profile Coffee Company, buying green beans online and selling roasted coffee to fundraise for African education. His focus? Rare Malawi coffee, sourced sustainably and roasted in small batches.

How a School Trip Sparked a Coffee Business

The idea began during a student exchange between Ben’s UK school and a school in Malawi. While others enjoyed the visit, Ben zeroed in on the coffee farmers. “My attention was completely on how to build partnerships with local growers,” he says. He wanted to help improve education for underprivileged African children—and saw coffee as the way.

From Home Roasts to a Registered Company

Ben had already been roasting for family and friends at home. When early efforts went well, he decided to scale up. That meant forming a proper company: Profile Coffee Company. “I roast at home and sell to classmates and neighbors,” he told Daily Coffee News. “But demand grew, so I needed to go official.”

Why Malawi Coffee?

Malawi produces just 0.01% of the world’s coffee—a rarity that sets Profile apart. Ben focuses exclusively on these hard-to-find beans, offering tailored profiles to meet customer taste preferences. “I want every customer to get exactly what they love,” he says.

Roasting at Home, Dreaming Big

Currently, Ben sources most of his green beans from Coffee Compass and roasts them at home. But as orders increase, he plans to invest in a commercial-grade roaster. He’s also expanding beyond Malawi, now offering coffee from Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia, and Kenya. Sourcing consistent lots remains a challenge, but he’s actively talking to local suppliers.

A Future Coffee Shop Vision

Ben also dreams of opening a physical café—one that roasts its own beans, something rare outside London. “In my area, almost no coffee shops roast their own coffee,” he says. “If I can bring that model beyond the capital, I think it would really work.” He cites local roasters Beanberry and Café Maison as inspirations—Beanberry for its range, Café Maison for its personal touch. He wants both.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is Ben Garnett and what does he do?

Ben Garnett is 14 years old and runs his own coffee roasting company called Profile Coffee Company. He sources green coffee beans, roasts them, and sells the roasted coffee, primarily to fundraise for education in Africa.

What kind of coffee does Profile Coffee Company focus on?

Profile Coffee Company specializes in rare Malawi coffee, which makes up just 0.01% of global production. Ben also offers coffee from Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia, and Kenya, aiming to provide a range of single-origin options.

Where does Ben get his green coffee beans?

Ben sources most of his green coffee beans from an online supplier called Coffee Compass. He is currently looking for more reliable local suppliers to meet growing demand.

Does Ben roast coffee commercially?

Not yet. Ben currently roasts coffee at home for family, friends, and local customers. He plans to buy a commercial-grade coffee roaster to handle larger orders and professional roasting.

What are Ben’s future plans for his coffee business?

Ben wants to open a physical coffee shop that roasts its own beans—a concept he says is rare outside London. He also aims to expand his coffee sourcing and continue fundraising for education in Africa through coffee sales.

FrontStreet Coffee Beans for Young Roasters

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