Efrem Fesaha CEO & Founder Boon Boona Coffee

Efrem Fesaha CEO & Founder Boon Boona Coffee

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Efrem’s Bio

Efrem Fesaha, is a first generation Eritrean American, graduate of Washington State University with his B.A. Prior to establishing Boon Boona Coffee. Efrem worked 13 years in corporate finance for local companies such as Holland America, Nordstrom and Amazon. In 2011, Efrem returned from a three-month stay in his family’s native country of Eritrea where he became inspired by the Cafe culture that existed in the capital Asmara and returned to Seattle with the desire to venture into coffee.

Boon Boona Coffee now has four owner-operated cafes and 10 branded cafes in corporate offices in Western Washington, +70 grocery stores, e-commerce and wholesale. Efrem won the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Washington Small Business Person of the Year award for 2022 and most recently was named 2022 Pacific Northwest Small Business Person of the Year, selected among state winners from Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. Recipient of the 2022 Urban League’s Community Coalition and 2023 Tabor 100, Community Service Crystal Eagle Award. 

We talked about the following and other items

Eritrean culture, refugee experiences, and current events in Sudan and Ethiopia.

The diversity and complexity of Africa as a continent, with mentions of safety concerns and cultural differences.

The diversity of Africa, including languages, cultures, and histories.

 Geography, culture, and religion in Eritrea.

Immigration, cultural assimilation, and parental expectations.

Entrepreneurship, time management, and immigration.

 Immigration and the determination of migrants seeking a better life.

Coffee culture in Eritrea and its history.

Coffee consumption and import/export process from Africa to the US.

Sourcing coffee from Africa, focusing on Ethiopia and Uganda.

Coffee types, growth, and scarcity.

Coffee preferences and names with a coffee shop owner. 

Coffee roasting and freshness.

Coffee tasting, travel experiences, and cultural foods.

Travel experiences and self-care practices.

Mental and physical wellness, entrepreneurship, and certifications.

Entrepreneurship, resilience, and navigating challenges.

Personal growth and progress without reaching a final goal.

Hiring and training staff for a coffee business.

Hiring and evaluating employees, with a focus on providing support and setting expectations for improvement.

Partnering with corporations for coffee sales.

Coffee pricing and quality, with a focus on fair trade and organic sourcing.

Improving coffee shop experience through team feedback and community engagement.

Coffee culture, customer service, and location selection.

Starting a small business while pursuing an MBA program.

Buying a second cafe during a pandemic.

Designing a cafe with a friend who's an artist.

Entrepreneurship, mentorship, and humility in the face of challenges.

Navigating business restrictions during COVID-19 pandemic.

Financial challenges and opportunities for a coffee shop during the pandemic.

 Entrepreneurship challenges and advice for new entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneurship, business growth, and community engagement.

East African community in Seattle, coffee ceremony, and business growth.

Starting a coffee business, sourcing, community engagement, and quality.

Coffee shipping, quality, and brewing methods.

Coffee preferences and equipment maintenance.

Coffee industry future, community engagement, and upcoming events.

Efrem’s Social Media 

Efrem’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/efrem-fesaha-1082a65b/

Company Website: https://www.boonboonacoffee.com/

Company X: https://twitter.com/BoonBoonaCoffee

 Company Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boonboonacoffee/

Company TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@boonboonacoffee

Efrem’s Advice

Do something good. Or do some good that benefits someone else. Just try doing something good in your community. It doesn't need to be anything elaborate, doesn't need to be anything crazy, wild or big.