In this episode I will interview Ryan O'Rourke about how he prepared to start a coffee roasting company. Ryan is starting Ironclad Coffee Roasters in Richmond, Virginia. In this episode, Ryan talks in detail about how he selected his production roaster, how he goes about buying green coffee and selecting an importer, his portfolio and pricing policy. The AHA! moment for Ryan came through getting to know Has Bean and its coffee subscription service. Ryan also mentions his virtual mentor Stephen Leighton , CEO of Has Bean. We have a short chat about the advantages and complications of connecting a cafe with a roastery. Ryan reveals why he decided to start his venture in Richmond and we talk about his competition: Lamplighter Roasting Company, Blancharts. We finish with Stephen Leighton and his amazing strategy for keeping coffee fun and avoiding snobbery. Enjoy and do not forget to leave us reviews.