Learning to roast and growing your coffee shop business with Dapper Owl
Today, we’re off to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, USA, to a cozy coffee shop and bakery called Dapper Owl. We sat down with civil engineer and owner Nina Terrell to discuss how she’s using the ROEST sample roaster as a learning tool and her exciting plans to add a roastery to the business.
Dapper Owl Coffee Pub is more than a coffee shop. Nina and her team have created an inclusive, welcoming space that combines the casual, cozy vibes of an English pub and your favorite bakery, making freshly baked goods. “We modeled the shop after an English Pub with fun decor and comfortable couches,” Nina explains. “We serve specialty coffee drinks, beer, and cider, and our bakery make fresh goodies in-house.”
But for Nina, running a coffee shop and bakery isn’t enough. Her vision is to add a coffee roastery to the business. As an engineer, she approaches coffee roasting with the same level of curiosity and precision as she did in her career. The journey, however, isn’t without challenges.
Pictured: Interior of Dapper Owl Coffee Pub
Learning to roast coffee
When asked about the challenges that led her to seek out the ROEST sample roaster, Nina shared, “How does one learn to roast coffee? A 3 to 4 day hands-on course is not only an overload of information, but where do you go after?” It’s a common question many new roasters face– a crash course might offer the basics but truly learning the craft comes from practice, patience, and experimentation.
That’s where the ROEST sample roaster comes in, “The ROEST sample roaster allows me to learn and practice roasting on my schedule and learning speed.” The machine’s precision, data collection, and user-friendly interface makes it easy for beginners and seasoned roasters alike to develop their roasting skills. “I’m able to change one variable at a time and see the direct effects on the roast. It’s fabulous! I feel like in time, this will make me a more competent and comprehensive roaster.”
Discovering the ROEST sample roaster
Since the beginning of her roasting journey Nina has followed Scott Rao, a friend and valued customer of ROEST. “He’s a huge proponent for accurate data and the ROEST sample roaster,” she explains. For an engineer like Nina, it made perfect sense. “The sample roaster provided the inputs and outputs needed to roast great coffee, without leaving the process to chance or guesswork.”
Pictured: Nina Terrell, owner of Dapper Owl, using the ROEST L100 Plus
An intuitive roasting experience
Despite having no prior experience in roasting, Nina found the ROEST sample roaster incredibly user-friendly. “After watching the introduction videos several times and reading the manual, I was able to comfortably and confidently start working with the ROEST sample roaster,” she recalls. The intuitive software and hardware made it easy for her to dive into the world of sample roasting, setting her on a path to develop her skills.
Currently, Nina uses the sample roaster as a learning tool. She watches instructional videos, reads about roasting techniques, and applies what she learns directly on the machine. “It’s a great way to learn. In the future, when I take an in-person roasting course, I’ll have a more solid background from which to learn and not just throw my money at courses! The ROEST has really been the gateway for me to enter into the roasting world.”
The future of Dapper Owl
Looking ahead, Dapper Owl’s future is bright. Nina loves the ROEST sample roaster so much that she’s already invested in the ROEST production roaster for her roastery. “I’ve got several months to learn before being able to incorporate the production roaster into our shop.” Once up and running, Dapper Owl will be able to offer its own freshly roasted coffee, adding another string to their bow.
For now, the sample roaster has become an essential part of Nina’s learning process. “I love the ROEST’s breadth of data, the consistency of the roasts, and the internal between-batch-protocol programming,” she enthuses. “Not to mention the super sharp look and aesthetic feel.”
Conclusion: an intuitive learning tool
Nina’s experience with the ROEST sample roaster has been overwhelmingly positive, and it’s clear she’s found the right tool for her roasting journey. “In my mind, ROEST is the only way to go for sample roasting and getting into coffee roasting,” she says. “I have never regretted the decision to use the machine; it’s superior excellence!”
She’s also quick to praise the exceptional support from the ROEST team: " The team at ROEST have been world-class, always very kind, patient, super supportive, and accommodating. I have a deep appreciation and gratitude for technical and sales support. They have truly made what could be a very daunting/frightening entrance into the world of roasting a pleasurable and fun experience. I can’t express my love for ROEST enough!”
Tom Hopkinson, ROEST’s Customer Success Manager, says, “ROEST is an awesome tool for learning about roasting. It's really easy to pick a standard profile and then just change one thing - like development time - to learn about the effect it has on flavor.” In a previous blog post on roast profiling, Tom shares a roasting exercise you can try to explore the potential flavors of your coffee– see the flavor map section to try it yourself.
As Dapper Owl prepares for the next chapter of its story, Nina’s love for the sample roaster continues to grow. With her dedication to learning and developing her roasting skills, Dapper Owl will be the go-to hangout for the best brew and freshly roasted coffee in town.
We wish Nina and the Dapper Owl team all the best!
