Meet Cristian Zarate | Coffee Roaster & Financial Associate

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cristian Zarate and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cristian, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Staying true to who I am, my roots, and giving people a remembrance of home. I honestly wasn’t looking for a way out of the “9-5pm”, so to speak. I just wanted to start living more authentically, intentionally, and paying homage to my upbringing of pure love and compassion in the midst of embracing adulthood.

Growing up, but not growing up if that makes sense.

I like to believe with the intentions of always outpouring my remembrance of welcome-ness and love I received from my grandparents and mother growing up, I can tell a story of what home means to me. Which started with a simple offering of coffee and pan dulce when I was a wee-boy at my grandparents house.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I think what sets us apart from other coffee businesses is we brand ourselves for who we are, not for what is the fad or hype. We are original in the sense that we tell our story of growth and comfort much like home has been for us. Everything is roasted by us and as important as it is that we promote farmer appreciation, direct trade, organic, and meticulously crafted roast profiles, we have a distinctive niche in the market directed to people who understand or need the reminder of the lost art of home. This could be anywhere in the world for them or simply right in front of them. Our audience knows that we are interested in empowering them for the world and making each person feel like they have a place at the table. So coffee is important and all but we are more interested in inspiring and welcoming strangers, that is our brand.

This journey has definitely not been easy and I didn’t plan for it to be. However, for me the purpose of life is to always challenge and be patient in a world of instant gratification. While challenging, I still work on my relationship with my family, maintain healthy relationships with friends, I’ve separated myself from people who don’t share the same vision as me, set aside time for myself, and most importantly set aside time for God to keep me grounded.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned so far on this journey is, Life is not a checklist. Just because you’re doing good things, making all the right moves, and being nice to everyone, doesn’t mean you’ll always be rewarded. The real oxymoron of life is when good things are happening but something horrible or unplanned occurs, it means there is a lesson that still requires your attention. While, when bad things happen but you have faith and hope, good things come out in the end. Just rest assured and keep working pass the noise. There is no true equation for everything, it’s just holding on when things seem doomed to failure.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I guess I’m a little old fashioned but I would take my best friend to my house or my grandparent’s house for breakfast. Nothing beats home cooking, especially, for authentic Mexican breakfast. I’d probably show off my pour over sets, and other coffee apparatuses as well. But let’s assume they say, “nahh, let’s get out” I’m taking him to local coffee joints then to The Original Pancake House or Brewed for breakfast. We’ll walk off the food around Sundance Square plaza and admire the local architect, then jet over to the Modern Art Museum and praise some of the best modern pieces right here in Fort Worth. For lunch and great margaritas, we’ll head over to The Yucatan Taco Stand. We’ll later, catch a play at Casa Manana or The Bass Performance Hall and then rock climb at Summit Climbing gym for a few hours. Depending on where we are in time, we’ll grab a steak at Cattlemen’s Steak house. After that, we’ll end the night with some of the best tasting cocktails I’ve ever had at Thompson’s and maybe grab a cigar at Silver Leaf.

I Love my city.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost, a special shout out to my mother and grandparents. They have always been the light in my life and true examples of handwork, dedication to family, and believing in a dream for a better life as immigrants from Mexico. Without the risks they took, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I’m not sure I would even be alive. A shout out to my step dad and brother for taking time away from their busy schedules to help me load equipment, serve coffee beverages to guests, waking up early, and going to sleep late after our pop ups. I also have some friends and supporters from all over the world who have encouraged me to keep going.

And thanks to the books The Alchemist, Capital Gains, The Coffee Roaster’s Companion, and The World Atlas of Coffee. Podcasts, Jay Shetty: On Purpose, Guy Raz: How I build this, and Father Mike Schmitz of Ascension Presents. Lastly, the commencement address by David Foster Wallace called This is Water.

I know I’m missing a few people/things but you know who you are and I’m grateful to have you on my journey.

Website: https://www.imhomecoffee.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imhomecoffee/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cristian-zarate-ba1b5895/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ImHomeCoffee

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/imhomecoffee

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXmiEJXhzGv0GwPMEjG0OQg

Image Credits
Photo credits to Tony Gonzalez