Meet the Member: Coffein Coffee Co.

Interviewee:

Dr. Jennifer “Kat” Bechkoff (she/her)

In your words… Tell us about your organization, business, initiative.

Our mission is to be the number one coffee of goths, punks, rivet heads, metal heads, vampires, and bat lovers. Our specialty coffee is handcrafted in small batches and packaged in a coffin for a dark, gothic aesthetic to match your wicked taste. We are committed to helping bat rehabilitation and conservation efforts, as bats are vital to coffee plantation ecology…and they’re just plain cute.

Tell us a bit about you and why you do what you do? Share your passions for your business, initiative, organization.

I am a full-time, tenured marketing professor, solo mom of two incredible boys, and the founder of Coffein Coffee Co. I created this company so coffee connoisseurs who prefer a darker aesthetic in their home can add a quality product to their kitchen. As an “elder goth,” I am now at the age where I still want to be surrounded by a gothic aesthetic, but I want my things to be of a higher quality and less kitschy. Hence, Coffein!

I am also a lifelong bat lover with great respect for mother nature; a portion of the proceeds from Coffein Coffee Co. goes to bat conservation & rehabilitation at Bat World Sanctuary in Weatherford, TX.

What role do you think your business plays in supporting a more creative community? OR your community in general. (Bonus! Why do you think a more creative community is important?)

Surrounding ourselves with creativity sets a tone for our lives. It fuels happiness, fosters self-expression, and connects us with ourselves. Coffein hopes the uniqueness of its gothic-inspired coffee in a coffin adds yet another creative touch to the quaint character of Salem.

In addition, Coffein is using its creative collaboration with Bat World Sanctuary as an innovative platform to spread ecological awareness throughout the community.

What was the last book you read OR What was the last video you watched that made an impact on you?

The most recent video I watched that had an impact on me is the footage from my Ring doorbell of my cat “knocking” on the front door. Her presence triggered a recording of her jumping up to rattle the door handle in an attempt to be let in. The audio caught her giving a purring meow after the “knock” as she positioned herself ready to greet me at the door. I wasn’t home to let her in, so she repeated her actions several more times. As I watched the footage, I thought about those pet owners who talk at their pets instead of to them. Do they realize how much a part of the family their pets are? Are they missing out on the bond and the good stuff of being a pet owner — The stuff that makes you live longer and age healthier? And what of their pets’ feelings? I wonder if they realize their pets do things like knock when they’re not home and give out mellifluous utterances as if talking to the memory of you.

Deep thoughts, by Kat Bechkoff. ;P

What’s the one thing people would be surprised to learn about you our your business?

People might be surprised to know that I run all of my ideas and designs by my 9-year-old and 12-year-old sons before I make any decisions. Their input is extremely important to me; I want this budding little company to be a shared venture. Interesting facts: My youngest is responsible for the layout of the back of the coffin box and my oldest came up with the name “Decaffitated” for our decaf coffee.

What is Creative Collective?

Creative Collective is a group of economic development strategists, small business supporters, activation specialists, and believers in the importance of the creative workforce. We foster growth, sustainability, and scalability for small businesses, creative thinkers, organizations, entrepreneurs, and innovators. Learn more and join Creative Collective at www.creativecollectivema.com/join