Daily Inspiration: Meet Sarah Fillmore

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Fillmore.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Your Story
Can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today. You can include as little or as much detail as you’d like.

My career story is, I grew up in Northern California and went to college there, and then when I graduated I moved to Chicago. I didn’t have anything planned there, I just wanted a change after living my whole life in the same place. I needed a job and I didn’t want to do anything with my degree at the time, because I thought the next thing to do with an undergraduate degree in Sociology is to continue into a graduate program. But I wanted a little break from academia, and I always loved moving around and working with my hands, so I started looking for a job in the warehouses of Chicago.
Through internet searching I found a position at a local coffee company packing bags. Now at the time, I didn’t even drink coffee. I was invited to interview and it was actually a group interview, and what’s more, it was what’s known as a Cupping, where different coffee selections are evaluated. I felt completely out of place because everyone else looked like they were cool “coffee people” wearing flannel and beanies, and I was dressed in a button-down shirt and slacks.
But that feeling of being out of place actually brought down a wall in me, and I just went for it. I opened up and answered all their questions about my past experiences and what I was tasting and feeling about the coffees. Tasting those different flavors and nuances of real specialty coffee for the first time absolutely blew my mind. I was so sure I wasn’t even going to get the job since I didn’t know anything about coffee, but to my surprise, I got a call later that day saying I was their top candidate, and a few days later, I was offered the job.
I ended up staying at that company for five years, moving from the original warehouse position to managing operations, brewing and bottling coffee, and even becoming their sample roaster, responsible for roasting the small batches of coffee beans that come in for evaluation. I like to say that I walked into a job and five years later I walked out with a career.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Has it been a smooth road? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?

Yes, there have definitely been struggles. Talking about my passion for coffee and sharing it with people is easy for me, but figuring out how to turn that into a coffee shop business was a big challenge. You can file to start an LLC easily enough, but figuring out capitalization, navigating the complicated building and health codes process, all those things were difficult. And even once you’re open for business, you still have to figure out marketing and promotion. And that doesn’t just mean selling your product, I’ve found I’m also selling myself in a lot of ways, which doesn’t come naturally for me.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
We’d love to learn more about your work. What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?

In a sense it’s actually my lack of specialization that sets me apart. I’ve touched every part of the coffee industry, from the farms where the coffee is grown to the importers who bring it into the country, to roasters and warehouses like the one where I got my start, to cafes that brew and serve the final product.
Because of this broad base of experience I’ve gained an understanding of the “back end” of the coffee world. As a sample roaster and later an importer I tasted some really wonderful coffees and some really subpar ones too, learning the difference and expanding my palate. I even became a licensed Q Arabica Grader.
Most recently I worked in a cafe and then started one of my own. So, I’m proud of my diverse work experiences and the understanding of the whole coffee chain that I’ve gained through it.

What is the name of your business or organization?
Please tell us more about your business or organization. What should we know? What do you do, what do you specialize in / what are you known for? What sets you apart from others? What are you most proud brand wise? What do you want our readers to know about your brand, offerings, services, etc?

Good Intentions Coffee is my coffee shop in LA’s mid-Wilshire “Museum District”, near the Academy Museum, the Petersen Museum, and the LACMA. What I’m most proud of is the mission and values behind the company. My core belief is that all people have value and should be treated as such. I’m proud that we prioritize being welcoming and accepting, treating everyone with a positive and kind demeanor when they come through our door. It’s about more than just coffee; it’s about the people and the positive community we’re building. Our focus is on making sure people are the bottom line, from our staff to our suppliers and the entire coffee supply chain.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
What were you like growing up? Personality wise, interest wise, etc.

I’ve always had a lot of curiosity. My parents were very empathetic and encouraged that aspect of my personality, sometimes even doing things like excusing me from school for a day at a museum. Related to that curiosity, I’ve always loved walking and exploring on foot. Wherever you might visit, I feel like you experience it more richly when you’re walking through it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://goodintentionscoffee.com
• Instagram: @goodintentionscoffee
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoodIntentionsCoffeeLA
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/good-intentions-coffee-los-angeles