The Story of Grounded Coffee Collective

Grounded Coffee Collective began the same way a lot of meaningful things do—slowly, intentionally, and between two people building something together.

What started as a shared passion for good coffee grew while living in two different cities. One of us in Columbus, the other in Cincinnati. Miles apart during the week, but always coming together around the same thing: coffee. Brewing it. Talking about it. Tinkering with roasts. Sharing it with friends. Letting conversations run long while the coffee stayed hot.

Rooted in Community

When we were together, coffee became the center of our time—early mornings, late nights, and everything in between. It wasn’t just a drink. It was how we slowed down, stayed present, and stayed connected. That’s where the idea of Grounded came from—being rooted, intentional, and fully there.

We started small. Really small. Roasting in limited batches, learning through trial and error, and selling beans directly to people who believed in what we were building. Friends. Local shops. Early wholesale partners who cared just as much about quality and relationships as we did. Every bag sold meant something. Every client mattered.

As the coffee improved, so did the vision.

Being split between Columbus and Cincinnati shaped us. It forced us to think bigger than a single neighborhood while still caring deeply about local community. We learned how to build relationships, not just accounts. How to grow without rushing. How to stay grounded while taking steps forward.

The word Collective reflects that journey. Grounded Collective Coffee was never just about the two of us—it was about the people who came alongside us. The growers, the partners, the early customers, and the communities that supported something small before it felt certain.