Our Full Circle Moment
Dear NC State Community,
We have so much to be thankful for: the community, the extra hands, the mentors, the opportunities, the memories, and above all, the belief in us and 321 Coffee.
NC State brought Michael and I together during our freshman year of college in 2017. We were both awarded the Park Scholarship, a four-year full-ride to NC State, which put us in an incredible community of people driven to be the best versions of themselves.
So many NC State students helped us get 321 off the ground. My freshman-year suitemate, Kiana, designed our first logo, and Michael’s freshman-year roommate, Dylan, acted as our “general contractor” as we built our first shop at the Farmers Market. Nick and Liam stepped up to oversee 321’s operations. Catherine, Laramie, and Hannah helped run many events. Luke, Mallory, Matt, Natalie, David, and a number of others helped us paint, build, and so much more.
321 comes from very scrappy beginnings. We stored extra inventory in our dorm rooms in Bragaw and Alexander Hall and planned our class schedules around being available to run the shop at the Farmers Market. We were having so much fun.
As time went on, Michael and I realized we were on to something. We wanted to think bigger and do more. NC State Entrepreneurship with Lewis Sheats, Gabe Gonzalez, Jen Capps, and others, changed our lives for the better and challenged us to do just that
Right after COVID hit, we participated in the Andrews Launch Accelerator, which pushed us to diversify our revenue streams and begin roasting our own coffee. As we approached college graduation and panicked about working full-time for ourselves, we were selected to be a part of the Miller Fellowship, giving us a runway of “rent and ramen” to ease the transition into being full-time entrepreneurs. Beyond the funding, these programs introduced us to more amazing people. It let us sit next to other driven young founders, like Niki and Rikita starting Sani, and put us in the same room as incredible mentors, like Larry Long Jr. and Donald Thompson.
This coffee brings the story full circle. So much of what we have created is thanks to NC State and the people that we met along the way. This coffee represents the shared value between 321 Coffee and NC State of working in pursuit of the greater good. We are proud to be a part of the Wolfpack.
Go ‘Pack!
Lindsay and Michael
Co-Founders of 321 Coffee
