Meet Melissa Green | Founder & CEO

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

Hi Melissa, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Initially, I started my company because of the lack of community I experienced when transitioning from base to base. It was always hard at first to meet people or have an understanding of our new location when we didn’t have any connections there. So I figured a great way to meet people is through the love of coffee. Having a conversation over coffee.

I started my focus on Military Families before pivoting a year and a half later. I added in our additional focus on LGBTQ+, and then pivoted to focus on our #coffeeforacause initiative for both communities.

What should our readers know about your business?
Business:

Badass Coffee Causes (Southern, Sweet & Sassy LLC) is heavily focused on our #coffeeforacause initiative with both our lines: Southern, Sweet & Sassy Coffee & Rise Above Coffee.

Southern, Sweet & Sassy Coffee focuses on supporting our Military Families community. Rise Above Coffee focuses on supporting our LGBTQ+ community.

Our coffees are smooth and low acidic. We don’t have bitter coffee. Our beans are roasted once an order is made. Therefore, you’ll always receive the freshest-tasting coffee at your door.

We provide awareness and education on various nonprofits throughout the year. At the end of each month, we donate a portion of our proceeds to two nonprofits. Our motto is: Purchase a bag, support a cause!

Coffee. Community. Support.

What we are excited about:

We are excited to be the coffee company that supports the nonprofits that support our communities. They truly depend on fundraising and donations. Although at the moment, we aren’t able to do much, each donation still counts and helps.

We are also excited about a few events that we have coming up. The Military Influencer Conference in Las Vegas and the Inspired Up Foundation’s conference in Nashville, TN.

What sets us apart:

We have a different business model. Yes, we sell coffee (and excellent coffee at that), but we are mostly about our #coffeeforacause initiative.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m still new to Arizona, but I have plans on visiting Scottsdale and a few other places. I love historic downtown areas with shops that you can walk around.

I’m seeing the Grand Canyon for the first time at the end of October. I’m super excited about that. I also have plans to take my kids around and sightseeing.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are quite a few people, and organizations, that I can give a little shoutout.

People:
1. Jai Salters – Founder of ACT Now Education – Jai was instrumental in getting me headed in the right direction when I initially started. He got my brain juices flowing.
2. Yasmin George – Founder of Trend Lab – Yasmin also got my brain flowing on the marketing and story side.
3. Donnell Johns – Founder of Veterans Growing America – Donnell is an amazing person and for-profit guru. Being a part of this community that he built has connected us to so many wonderful people.
4. Monifa Caines – Queen of Spades Style – Monifa is such an inspiration. Her products have been in Macy’s. She’s a super-connector.

Organizations:
1. BunkerLabs
2. Veterans Growing America
3. ACT Now Education

Website: https://badasscoffeecauses.com

Instagram: @riseabovecoffee and @s3coffeeco

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/southern-sweet-sassy & https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/rise-above-coffee

Twitter: @riseabovecoffee and @s3coffeeco

Facebook: @riseabovecoffee and @s3coffeeco

Image Credits
Myself & Stacey Benson (MilStock.|)