Meet Heather Ens | Founder + Head Roaster of Coffee Heroine Inc

We had the good fortune of connecting with Heather Ens and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Heather, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
That’s a tough question, the perception of risk can be paralyzing but the nature of business requires a certain element of risk. I would hate to quote Wayne Gretzky, but I will:

“You miss one hundred percent of the shots you don’t take.”

There are many manifestations of risk in starting a business that are necessary in taking that first step. I don’t think entrepreneurs are inherently more risky, I just think they have a vision so strong that they find a way to move past any barriers in the way in order to launch their companies.

I deal with the risks associated with my business like any other challenge – one stage at a time, if you think about all the risks at once, it can become a bit crippling. The trick is to break up your year into goals and analyze the risks and rewards of getting to the next level and chip away at those step by step. In the coffee roasting business, this means slow and controlled growth and not worrying at length about elements out of your control that may or may not happen in a year from now.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Coffee Heroine is a woman owned and operated company in Vancouver, BC that strives to sell great coffee to tired people. Upholding the pillars of equality that everyone deserves at every stage of the supply chain is important to us. Like many other specialty coffee roasters, the quality of the product and how it is farmed, harvested and transported are important details.

Starting this coffee company was not easy, and still isn’t. The biggest challenge is the pressure associated with making the right decision when you are in an industry that is new to you.  A huge ongoing challenge for me is learning how to be a salesperson when my personality doesn’t naturally lend itself to that role. I am a friendly, high-functioning introvert so tasks involving a lot of conversations with the general public are my biggest hurdle to overcome.

One lesson I have learned along the way is to start the next stage of your business (whatever that may be) sooner that you are ready. Don’t let the mindset of the perfectionist take over and hinder growth, just send that email, don’t overthink it.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Vancouver and the surrounding areas are overflowing with amazing things to see and do. I would grab some Tommy Bahama chairs and post up for the day on one of Vancouver’s gorgeous beaches (even if it’s not summer) followed with a hike in the vast forests just outside the city.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Motivationally, I want to thank my partner Paul and the close friends around me who believed in me in the early days of Coffee Heroine’s genesis. It was tough to leave my former career as an architect and dive into the world of coffee. I cherish those early conversations that were supportive.

I would also like to thank the people who doubted me, that was hella motivating and if you know anything about me, it adds fuel to the fire.

Website: coffeeheroine.com

Instagram: @coffeeheroine

Other: Tik Tok: @coffeeheroine

Image Credits
Shauna Balzer @ Shauna Danielle Photography https://shaunadaniellephotography.com/