At the March Progress through People luncheon, hosted by the Liberty County Chamber of Commerce, and sponsored by the Hinesville Downtown Development Authority and the Hinesville Downtown Merchants Association, the featured guest was Nomsa Hampton, Atlanta based owner of Nosiike-Grace Koffie, a seller of Fair Trade Organic Ethiopian Coffees.
Nosiike-Grace Koffie is a socially responsible coffee house and roasting company, Hampton said. Her business represents the coffee farmers and coffee process. The company is committed to empowering communities through coffee, conversation and collaboration.
“We are passionate about ensuring our growing partners receive a fair livable wage for the goods they produce,” according to the company’s mission. “We promote conscious consumption by buying organic, buying local and whenever possible collaborating with companies and organizations who value environmental stewardship.”
“Starting a small business has been the hardest thing I’ve done besides having children,” Hampton said. “It’s been a rough road, with headaches, tears and more.”
Hampton emphasized the importance of exposure to resources, opportunities and people. It helped her develop a client base well before creating her brick and mortar store, and allowed Hampton to both build and solidify herself.
“I have a background in marketing and public relations, and can do community engagement like a pro,” Hampton said. “People know because I’m on the ground and out in the community.”
Since the idea’s inception, Hampton said she has not suffered any major failures, but instead, could have possibly made a different choice at crucial moments over the years.
“You can learn from anything,” she said. “Every business has obstacles. You learn from the process and share your story.”
Either way, every day is a success and a new opportunity for Hampton to speak about Nosiike-Grace Koffie and the impact that it’s had on her. By sharing her story and journey, she hopes that it will go forward and encourage others.
“It’s a benefit for me to talk to others and keep sharing my story,” Hampton said.