Meet Wade Johnson | Exploradora Co-Founder

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

Hi Wade, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Starting Exploradora was a way to create a mechanism that fosters community and generates financial abundance to communities around the world. We value the art of connection and coffee plays an integral role in connecting people from all over, from having a cup of coffee with a friend, to knowing where your coffee comes from, to putting money from coffee sales to programs that impact your community. After visiting coffee countries we noticed the rise of women in leadership on farms and felt like there was an opportunity to showcase this change. We decided to source exclusively from women farmers to ensure equitable pay, and have had the privilege of meeting true trailblazers in the industry. In addition, we donate proceeds to Springboard to Opportunities, a non-profit that provides guaranteed income to mothers living in low-income housing. We have begun seeing how the way we source coffee has positive financial impacts on communities at coffee origin and communities right here in the US.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My mom and I started Exploradora to specifically highlight women coffee farmers and leaders in the industry. We also donate proceeds to a non-profit, Springboard to Opportunities, that provides guaranteed income and additional leadership and self-care programs to mothers living in low-income housing. We have been most proud of seeing how our coffee has connected so many different communities of women. The biggest lesson I’ve learned along the way is that everyone will want to give you advice. A lot can be helpful, but a lot can ultimately be noise. At the end of then day you have to learn how to trust your gut and lead with that intuition. You are the only one who knows how to run your business the way you want to. Having trusted minds to bounce ideas off of is always helpful. Just make note of the voices that align with your values.
I want the world to know that our brand is about centering women’s voices all across the globe. Our hope is that Exploradora is a transparent coffee provider than ensures women farmers are paid equitable wages and resources are being put back into the communities at coffee origin. We also want to acknowledge our privilege in starting our own business, and give back to communities right here at home through Springboard, which centers the voices of those they provide resources for.

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?
Definitely come check out Cave Creek – we roast Exploradora Coffee via the Roastery of Cave Creek which is at the top of the hill in Cave Creek. The team is amazing and we love showing people around.

While you’re there hike my favorite mountain, Black Mountain.

Drive into town and grab some incredible donuts from Chin Up Donuts. If you still have a sweet tooth, Sweet Dee’s has the most creative sweets we’ve ever seen. They both have pretty excellent coffee too.

Our all time favorite restaurant is F&B – you cannot go wrong with anything on the menu.

The food scene is always growing in the Valley so it’s hard to go wrong anywhere.

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?
Two shoutouts! First – to Dave Anderson of the Roastery of Cave Creek, my step-dad. We joke that Roc2 walked so Exploradora could run. We owe so much of our knowledge and ability to run this company thanks to his sharing of knowledge.

Second – Our non-profit partners Springboard to Opportunities. We have heard in real time the impact Springboard’s programs have on mothers and their families presently living in low-income housing. They have paved the way for what it looks like to center the voices of the community you serve to create programs necessary to find success.

Website: exploradoracoffee.com

Instagram: @exploradoracoffee

Linkedin: Exploradora Coffee

Image Credits
Price McNeese – photos of Wade and Alison Maddy Brocato – photos of Motherbird coffee Ebony Headshot – courtesy of Springboard to Opportunities Linda Photo – courtesy of Mighty Peace Coffee Importers Wade&Alison photos – Joey Brent