A Family Tie and an Unexpected Journey

For Michael Beck, founder of Venture Coffee Company, coffee isn't just about caffeine—it's about connection. His journey into the world of specialty coffee didn't begin with years behind an espresso machine or formal training in roasting. Instead, it started with a book, a family history that spanned continents, and a single paragraph about the Philippines.

It all began in 1978 when a young Michael Beck visited the Philippines with his grandmother. "My grandmother is Filipino, and my mom was born there right after World War II in Manila," Michael explains.

Sitting with his mother one day, Beck was reading about coffee when he came across a brief mention of Philippine coffee. "I had known that my family over there had been working directly in these conflict regions in Mindanao," Michael recalls.

Knowing that family members were involved in agriculture and community development in Mindanao, he asked them a simple question: "Do they grow coffee there and how can we help?" The answer led him down a path he never anticipated.

"That was when I realized this wasn't just about coffee," Beck recalls. "This was about people, communities, and how coffee could be a vehicle for change."

This simple question set Michael on a path of discovery, leading him to connect with the Philippine Coffee Board and embark on a journey to explore the potential of bringing Philippine coffee to the United States. By 2014, he traveled to the country to explore importing coffee directly from farmers.

Get the full pour…

Despite all the challenges, Michael remains optimistic about the future of Philippine coffee in the global market. Find Michael’s story in the inaugural issue of Local Coffee Talk Magazine—subscribe today to get your copy.

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