Meet Jasmine Jackson | Owner, Lead Barista

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jasmine Jackson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jasmine, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
I came up with Detroit Black Coffee because I loved coffee and wanted to start my own brand. I worked at a large coffee chain for a few years and learned a thing or two about coffee. But it was the look of excitement the customers had after receiving their favorite drink that I enjoyed the most. I wanted to be able to give that experience for everyone I got a chance to meet. Whether it was coffee, tea, or lemonade.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Before working in the coffee business I considered myself a “Culinarian”. I loved food and everything that had to do with food. I attended culinary classes in high school. After that I went to college and it wasn’t for me. It wasn’t free and creative enough for me. So I enrolled into Dorsey’s Culinary Academy where I learned a few techniques and met some wonderful people. After graduating I got a job downtown Detroit at Andiamo’s as a line cook. I probably worked every station there. Being there with all of ingredients I could imagine and a boss who was cool with me trying things. I started off making different juices using the fruit and purees we had on hand. Which became a big hit. I won’t say it was all good those years, but it was defiantly educational. Being 1 of 3 or 4 women on the line in a boys world has its challenges. But I was a trooper and I held on as long as possible

After leaving Andiamo I started to work at a coffee place inside of a department store and that was it. I loved that job. I truly enjoyed creating fun drinks and serving them to guests. Having regular guest entrust me with their daily drink was an honor. They would say “just surprise me”.

If I had a pick a lesson learned from my many experiences, it would be stay true to yourself. Staying true to what you love makes everything smoother to me. It helps with the integrity of your business.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Whenever we have gifts we ALWAYS take them downtown Detroit. We almost always have something going on in our city. Not only activities but great restaurants and food trucks.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
If I had to give someone a shoutout it would be my family. My immediate family, my in-laws, my sorority, and my church family. My family has supported me to through every aspect of Detroit Black Coffee. I told my mom I was interested in starting a coffee business. Being that she is so supportive she told me to go for it. My dad helped with the build out of my trailer. My father in law built me a cool screened in window. And last but not least my husband, he told me he would match however much I saved up, and he did. I started with 3 flavors of coffee, 10lbs each. My husband served as a taster, even to this day.

My church family would support and buy whatever I was selling at our many conventions. They even looked forward to me being there. Whether it was a cup of coffee, and Iced or hot tea, a sandwich, and even bags of coffee. If I had it they would buy it all.

With that being said I just cant pinpoint one person to give recognition too, because they all hold a place in my heart.

Website: www.DetroitBlackCoffee.com

Instagram: @DetroitBlackCoffee

Facebook: Detroit Black Coffee

Image Credits
Headshots were taken at Q11 Photography. All others were taken with my cellphone.