Friends, Meet My Friend, Hackim.

and AO coffee business partner

This post is long overdue introducing my friend and business partner, Hackim. Truth be told, I was indifferent when I first met Hackim. Truth be told, take two: I did not like Hackim when I first met him. Remember my last post about how I am not kind, and more specifically, how I am the A-hole cyclist that can roll up to a group ride, and immediately decide that I don’t like a person. Well, I didn’t like Hackim. But Hackim kept coming to the group rides. Then one day, I observed the way that he treated the baristas at our favorite coffee shop (café for those in the Netherlands *wink wink*).

After a group ride one morning, I was behind Hackim waiting to order my espresso. I observed him greet the barista, who happens to be one of my favorite baristas, by name, Molly. I also observed that he did not see this as simply a coffee sales transaction, but an exchange between two people who share a common interest: their love for coffee. Hackim was…dare I say it, kind. Haha, maybe kindness was a part of it, but I think I was more struck by relatability. I observed Hackim doing the exact same thing that I myself do on a regular basis, treating the baristas that serve me with respect, and making them feel valued. It was at that moment that I learned both Hackim and I share the same values. And now bonded by our similar values, I was Team Hackim equally as quick as when I was NOT Team Hackim.

Ever since that morning, my friendship with Hackim continued to grow, but I think more than the friendship, is my respect for Hackim. I have so much respect for him, and let me share the reasons why: he has a growth mindset, he is a devoted husband and father, he carries this positivity with him, he embodies what it means to come together in community.

One of the primary reasons that I was drawn to start AO coffee with Hackim is his growth mindset. He learned how to roast beans. He learned what was the best espresso machine for us to invest for our business. He learned what type of business license we needed. He learned how to make latte art. He learned how to refine and dial in, and continues to learn and refine, the best espresso shot. And he learned about the history of coffee, which inspired me to come up with our name: AO Coffee for Africa Original Coffee. I won’t go into the other qualities that I mentioned in the previous paragraph because they seem to be more obvious (and my motivation to write is waning). But I do want to give some examples of how Hackim builds community. He volunteered to work several weekends for a small BIPOC coffee shop called Open Air Coffee, when the owner, Seon Joo asked for help. He renovated his backyard so that it would be suitable for our community event, Backyard Coffee. He has paid for all of the beans, roasted them, and served and delivered them to people, and other than a link to donate on our Instagram, he has never asked for money. He is present during backyard coffee. If he is pulling a shot or steaming milk, he is still engaging with you, listening or sharing a story (I on the other hand do not, and not because of lack of want, but lack of skills).

Hackim and I said from day one that we would let AO coffee evolve organically, almost like the organic way that our friendship has evolved from me not liking him to now being his business partner. And almost 7 months later, I can confidently say that we are still on the same organic path, in both friendship and business. I am glad that I finally got to introduce Hackim to all of you. That’s all I got.