Switch Coffee Collective

Switch Coffee Collective is a remarkable St. Louis-based coffee roastery founded in 2017 by Mike Eaton, Jon Givens, and Travis Folkerts, with a mission that extends far beyond exceptional coffee to building stronger communities through empathy and empowerment. The company's unique origin story began when co-founders Eaton and Givens worked as mentors at Mission: St. Louis' Job & Leadership Training program, where they recognized the need to connect talented men from under-resourced communities to accessible, dignifying, and wealth-building work opportunities. Located in the JeffVanderLou neighborhood of North St. Louis at 3108 N Grand Blvd, Switch Coffee Collective operates as both a specialty coffee roaster and a social impact organization. Their building is connected to Mission: St. Louis, reflecting their deep commitment to community development and creating pathways for future leaders in the region. The company specializes in small batch, locally roasted specialty coffees, offering single-origin beans from regions including Colombia, Guatemala, Papua New Guinea, and Kenya. The name "Switch" embodies their core philosophy—challenging people to switch perspectives and consider life through someone else's eyes. This mission of empathy and understanding drives everything they do, from their carefully curated conversation cards included with each product to their commitment to sourcing ethically and investing locally. Their tagline "Remarkable Coffee - Stronger Communities" perfectly encapsulates their dual focus on coffee excellence and social impact. Switch Coffee Collective operates on the principle that empowerment, not charity, is the long-term solution to poverty. They provide internships and full-time employment opportunities for men who graduate from Mission: St. Louis' intensive Job & Leadership Training program for men ages 22-35. This approach creates sustainable change by helping individuals develop marketable skills and discover their value as community leaders. The company primarily operates through wholesale business and their Coffee of the Month Club, delivering handpicked specialty coffee directly to customers' doors. While they don't currently operate a public café, they have plans to establish a physical presence in North St. Louis, demonstrating their commitment to the community that shaped their mission. Their coffee can be found at various locations including Crave Coffee House on Saint Louis University's medical campus. Switch Coffee Collective's approach to sustainability extends beyond ethical sourcing to creating local economic opportunities and fostering community connections. They believe coffee serves as a perfect medium for building relationships and sparking meaningful connections, viewing each cup as an opportunity to celebrate diversity and inspire understanding across all walks of life in their resilient city of St. Louis.