The coffee community in Oxford has grown significantly in the past five years. Women in the coffee industry have also become more apparent and powerful. From coffee roasteries to shop owners, women-owned coffee businesses are flourishing in Oxford.
Located off North Lamar Boulevard, Exploradora is a mom-and-daughter-owned roastery that opened in April 2024. Wade Johnson and Alison Anderson began their roasting business online in 2020, but it grew exponentially when they opened their first brick-and-mortar location.
Exploradora is committed to supporting communities of female coffee growers worldwide.
According to the roastery’s website, all of their coffees are sourced from women-run co-ops around the globe that also use their proceeds to create resources for schools, water systems and positive economic change
Additionally, the shop donates a dollar from every coffee bag purchase to Springboard to Opportunities, a nonprofit organization that provides low-income, African-American mothers in Jackson, Miss, with $1,000 monthly for 12 months.
“Anytime we can get connected with the community and give our product or give money we try to do that,” Johnson said.
According to Driven Coffee Roasters, the coffee industry has been primarily male dominated. This has presented challenges for the female duo.
“I took it as I’m going to try to learn everything I possibly can so when we start getting customers I know exactly what I’m talking about,” Johnson said.
The duo expressed appreciation for the competition provided by other women-owned coffee businesses in Oxford.
“Some women business owners challenge you to be sharper than other people,” Johnson said. “It keeps us holding ourselves to a higher standard.”
All businesses partnered with Exploradora undergo a tasting process.
“(The businesses) come in and get to do a tasting. They tell us what flavors they typically like in coffee, and then we’ll do a tasting of a couple different coffees and then people have their own special blends,” Johnson said.
Additionally, the roastery allows customers purchasing their beans to customize their coffee flavors and bean source locations. This gives each company the opportunity to create a unique taste and roast to personalize everything in its business, down to the bean.
Lost Dog Coffee, another well-known coffee business, is located in Taylor, Miss. Owner Leighton McCool has tried to make the environment more like a home than a shop.
“I think as a woman I bring kindness and nurturing to the company and how it’s run for both employees and customers,” McCool said. “I can take being a mom and expand that to so many other people.”
McCool began carrying Exploradora coffee in 2024.
“I have always found it important to carry local products. The Exploradora team has exceeded my expectations,” McCool said.
McCool has always been on the more creative side of running a business. She aspires to not only draw people to the shop but also build a community, which is why Lost Dog hosts a variety of concerts, art events and book clubs.
“It’s been an incredible exploration,” McCool said. “I feel like I’ve learned and my eyes have been open to new things at every turn.
“I genuinely believe the women business owners in Oxford will pave the way for the generations to come,” McCool said. “I think the strong women in our town will become amazing mentors for so many new students and youth.”
Pam and Joseph Beck, a wife-and-husband team, opened Common Ground Coffee Bar off Sisk Avenue in 2020 in hopes of bringing their passion for coffee and business to the Oxford community.
“My husband always says people gather around food and coffee, so it was a culmination of things and Common Ground Coffee Bar came based on that,” Pam Beck said.
Joseph Beck is active duty military, and Pam halted her career working in hospital management to give her full attention to the shop. The experience and passion for management she had in her healthcare career has carried over to her work at Common Ground.
“I manage day-to-day operations, and I am there daily, morning, noon and night at the shop,” Pam Beck said.
The Becks hope to create a community where people can build good relationships. Building those relationships with customers allows the staff to better their systems.
“We thank everyone profusely. If their drink tastes a little different today, I never would have known that if they had not felt comfortable to come and tell me,” Pam Beck said.
The pair’s ability to build a personal relationship does not stop with customers. Their staff members are more involved in the business than simply making coffee. They have the opportunity to help in ways that can benefit their future career.
“A couple of our baristas and staff members help me really focus creatively (with social media) because it’s (part of) their major,” Pam Beck said. “These ladies help me put it on the map and get it out there because it is what they love to do.”
Editor’s note: An earlier version of this article was published on Monday, March 31. This version has been updated to reflect a headline change and clarifying details.
