[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 5 (Thursday, January 10, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S140-S141]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   RECOGNIZING OCEANA COFFEE ROASTERS

 Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, I wish to recognize the first Small 
Business of the Week of the 116th Congress. Each week this Congress, I 
will honor a small business that exemplifies the hard work and 
perseverance of the American entrepreneur. The great State of Florida 
is home to businesses of all types, from family-run farms in Ocala to 
aerospace machinists in Cape Canaveral. Today, it is my distinct 
pleasure to honor a small business with a strong commitment to the 
quality of its products and a desire to give back to its community. As 
chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and 
Entrepreneurship, it is my pleasure to recognize Oceana Coffee Roasters 
as this year's first Small Business of the Week.
  Amy and Scott Angelo founded Oceana Coffee Roasters in 2009 with only 
a $35 coffee roaster, converted from a popcorn machine, and the goal of 
bringing freshly roasted coffee to their area. Located in Tequesta, FL, 
Amy and Scott founded the company after they were unable to find a 
local coffee roaster that produced fresh, small-batch coffee. Seeing an 
opportunity, the Angelos began by roasting just a quarter-cup of coffee 
at a time, experimenting with different types of beans and roasting 
techniques.
  From a popcorn popper in their kitchen, to roasting 50,000 pounds of 
beans a year, the Angelos have remained focused on the details of 
producing high-quality, small-batch, whole bean and ground coffee. In 
order to meet their high standards, Scott and Amy learned all they 
could about how coffee beans are grown, where the best beans originate, 
and how to bring out the best flavor in each type of bean. They also 
researched the fair trade coffee process, how coffee is harvested and 
transported, and the logistics of importing beans to their Florida 
small business. Through their diligent study and a trial and error 
process, the Angelos harnessed their entrepreneurial spirit to 
understand their customers' desires and make a product they are proud 
of. In 2016, the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce recognized Oceana 
Coffee as the Small Business of the Year and SCORE of Palm Beach County 
recognized them for entrepreneurial excellence. Also in 2016, they were 
the overall winner for the Golden Bean North America Award, which is 
the world's largest coffee roaster competition.
  As the business has grown, the company has periodically added new 
coffee

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varieties from around the world to its product line. Instead of 
focusing on large production runs of one type of coffee, Oceana 
produces small batches of shade-grown, Guatemalan, Ethiopian, and Costa 
Rican coffee for all types of coffee consumers. Their success has also 
led to expansion, with Amy and Scott adding a second location in Palm 
Beach County while increasing e-commerce sales and direct shipments to 
reach approximately 100 wholesale customers.
  The Angelos are committed to their community and doing right by the 
people they do business with. Every quarter, Oceana makes a donation to 
a charitable organization voted on by its customers under an initiative 
they call Cup of Kindness. Oceana Coffee also gives back by offering 
internships to adults with autism by partnering with Jupiter, FL-based 
Els for Autism so that affected individuals can gain workforce 
experience. Additionally, the Angelos provide a platform to local 
artists, authors, and other small businesses in the area. Each month, 
the shop hosts a showcase to help these entrepreneurs gain exposure.
  The Angelos care about the community of growers they work with, as 
they purchase their coffee beans from small, fair-trade farmers that 
they interact with directly and visit regularly. They have also made a 
commitment to reduce waste through the use of reusable straws and 
recyclable cutlery and containers.
  Oceana Coffee Roasters has found its niche and expanded as a company, 
while keeping its commitment to quality and principles. The Angelos' 
love of quality coffee, commitment to their community, and painstaking 
review of the coffee making process has made the company a leader in 
its community and created a loyal customer base. Again, I would like to 
congratulate Scott, Amy, and all of the employees at Oceana Coffee 
Roasters for being named the Small Business of the Week. I wish you 
continued success in your future endeavors.

                          ____________________