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BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Meet Tim Shenkin, 31-year-old co-owner and Head Roaster at Makeworth Coffee Roasters in Bellingham, Washington.
Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Shenkin moved to Bellingham about three years ago from southern California looking to get away from the anonymity and hustle-and-bustle of the Los Angeles area.
He has since found a strong sense of community in Whatcom County, describing its residents as small-town in their sense of care and compassion but open-minded.
“Bellingham and the county is this untamed, beautiful, ever-changing, ever-growing place where so many new things are possible. We’re in the wild.” – Tim Shenkin
Shenkin brings an innovative, almost pioneer-like approach to his work at Makeworth Coffee Roasters. In his three years at the roastery, he’s enjoyed the opportunity to be a part of the change.
Shenkin oversees the coffee roasting operation, which includes coffee selection, helping with production roasting, order fulfillment and sales.
“I love building something and forging a path and then setting people up to come in and be the best version of their selves in their work,” Shenkin said.
He places a high importance on setting others up for success, both in his interpersonal responsibilities as a leader and through effective logistical systems.
From customers to employees to partner cafes and all the way down the supply chain, Shenkin values his relationships with everyone involved.
Makeworth Coffee Roasters partners with 10-15 full-time and featured cafes. Just recently, Shenkin met with a career general contractor who is finally realizing his life-long dream of owning a cafe.
As a wholesale provider, consultant and partner, Makeworth Coffee Roasters is helping small-business owners fulfill their dreams, which Shenkin described as “one of the most gratifying feelings.”
Makeworth Coffee Roasters is based in Bellingham, but their supply chain reaches around the world. As part of his role, Shenkin is responsible for procurement, or the process of selecting coffee to be roasted and distributed through the roastery.
Shenkin is passionate about building friendly relationships with importers and producers along the supply chain. “[They’re] really incredible people doing stuff across the world,” he said.
Makeworth Coffee Roasters’ sourcing methodology considers not only the quality and taste of the product but also ethical, sustainable and transparent production and import processes.
Shenkin is particularly passionate about the roastery’s “social impact” coffees, which support producers working towards the common good. He referenced the “Ella Todos Santos” coffee, sourced from a Guatemalan collective of 276 women who came together to support their families through coffee farming after their husbands left to work abroad.
To promote transparency, Makeworth Coffee Roasters’ website describes all their coffee’s origins. Shenkin hopes to make an impact in Whatcom County by promoting conversations about supply chains and urging consumers to think about where their products come from.
“It’s important to have these stories go out,” Shenkin said. “I buy the coffee from these producers, but the customers are the ones who make it possible.”
We are Whatcom is a weekly column featuring Whatcom County residents making a positive impact on the community. To submit a Whatcom County resident to be featured, click here.