In this episode of Crossroad Conversations, the Lewis Brothers sit down with Isaiah, founder of Dodo Coffee, to explore how a dream, a rundown 600 sq ft building, and an unwavering commitment to clean coffee turned into one of Northwest Arkansas’s fastest-growing coffee brands.

Isaiah shares how he and his wife Sarah moved from Washington to Arkansas, built their first shop “brick by brick,” then lost it to road expansion within a year. Instead of quitting, they pivoted to a coffee trailer and gained even more traction. Along the way, they built a loyal community, learned to balance family and business, and even began supplying coffee to professional sports teams. This is a story of perseverance, community, and the power of staying authentic in business.

Takeaways

  • Success often comes from resilience and pivoting when plans collapse.
  • Building authentic community creates loyalty that lasts through challenges.
  • Clean, high-quality products plus a welcoming experience win repeat customers.
  • Storytelling and transparency on social media create stronger engagement than ads.
  • Family collaboration can be a business’s greatest strength.
  • Sometimes the “grimy work” of renovating, roasting, and hustling is what builds credibility.
  • Strategic pivots (like moving to a trailer) can unlock new opportunities.
  • Persistence opens unexpected doors — including partnerships with national brands and pro sports teams.