Today we’d like to introduce you to Mike and Tyra Harris.
Hi Mike and Tyra, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
As coffee lovers, my husband and I felt that there was a void in our neighborhood for a specialty coffee shop. After many years in the legal industry, we decided to give entrepreneurship a try and open a coffee shop. We considered starting our own brand but realized how challenging and daunting it would be without having prior knowledge in the industry.
Having traveled to New Orleans several times a year we found what would be an opportunity to make our dream a reality through franchising. While visiting New Orleans on a business trip, Mike discovered PJ”s Coffee. He quickly called me and suggested that I fly there to try the coffee. I did so and was impressed by the quality of the roasts, the direct trade and care for the farmers in Honduras, and most importantly, the customer service.
A month later we met with the Corporate office and decided to bring the first PJ’s Coffee franchise to our community in Prince George’s County, Maryland. In July 2021, we were offered the opportunity to acquire the only other PJ’s Coffee shop located in Silver Spring, MD, Having a passion for coffee and an affinity for New Orleans, we jumped at the chance. We currently own the only two PJ franchises in Maryland.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Opening a business in normal times is tough but opening during a pandemic compounds the challenges.
Not only did we have to negotiate to license and permitting we had to do it when the resources at the agencies weren’t readily available. We opened PJs during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, there were hidden costs that we did not account for in our original business plan.
Due to the timing of when we opened, we were unable to obtain PPP loan assistance so while we had the same challenges we did not have the same relief.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
We are a New Orleans-based franchise specializing in small-batch roasted coffee, espresso beverages, including Original Cold Brew Iced Coffees, fresh-baked pastries, and desserts.
Did we mention that we have BEIGNETS! Yes, we have brought one of New Orleans’ iconic pastries to Maryland! We are proud of our community involvement, customer service, southern hospitality, and the soul of our coffee. These characteristics set us apart from other places where you can purchase coffee.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
We took a major risk to venture into entrepreneurship. I left a corporate career with over 25 years of experience to pursue a new career in an unfamiliar field with only Mike’s salary to keep us afloat… in the midst of the pandemic.
Contact Info:
- Email: pjscoffee@pjscoffee-bowie.com
- Website: www.pjscoffee.com/bowie
- Instagram: @pjscoffeebowie
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PJsCoffeeBowie
- Twitter: @PJsCoffee_Bowie
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/pjs-coffee-bowie
