It’s been months since my last update! I took the time during quarantine to get off social media and focus on real-life things with fewer distractions.
I started (and recently sold) a kombucha business called Bold. I developed recipes, secured wholesale clients, and attempted to change people’s hesitancy towards this stereotypically “vinegary” drink by developing sweeter and more exotic flavors. The top two favorites were a rosemary pear green tea and a citric “IPA” with a black tea base.
It was a lot of fun to turn an idea into a complete business, and I find I enjoy the process of creation more than operation… more learning and creativity without getting too repetitive.
I also was working full-time as a specialty coffee roaster at OOP Café in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. And, BOY, did I learn a lot. Last November, I completed an internship with OOP that turned into me working as their roaster. Tiago and Dri (the co-founders and owners) welcomed this gringo with open arms and taught me a bunch! Our team was small, consisting of just five people, but the company grew lots during the quarantine. We closed for a total reform, transforming a “cafeteria” into a “coffee business” focused more on selling packages of coffee over drinks.
Now, my time has come to say goodbye to OOP and begin traveling and exploring the world again. It’s been an incredible journey here with amazing people that I won’t ever forget… and I am excited to return to the coffee world sometime in the future with my new skills as a roaster.
But for now, nature and adventure are calling. I think the quarantine and city living has finally reached its limit with me, hah!
Starting this week, I will be spending about a month exploring various states in Brazil by motorcycle. First, I’ll take the Estrada Real (and old gold trading route) from Ouro Preto to Paraty. It should take around a week to complete with 90% offroad routes.
After that, I shall see which mountains, waterfalls, or beaches are calling!
Bora galera!
With love,
Alexander
PS: Did you miss what I was up to before this? You can check it out here.
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