In conversation with Mississauga’s Oliver Woodburn, owner of Daymaker Coffee Roasters.

1. What inspired you to start Daymaker?
Throughout my life I’ve enjoyed going deep into learning about the things I love.  Whether it's wine, chocolate, whisky or coffee, they all appeal to me.  But coffee has the most magnetic appeal because it's so important to so many people.  I believe the ritual of coffee brings people joy and, in some way, inspires their day and helps them see the possibilities in front of them. 

Driving home from cottage country one day it became clear to me that there was an opportunity for a coffee company that could be a positive light for people every morning.  One that could make a more sustainable and lighter impact on the environment.  And one that had a social mission built into its foundation.  One of my nieces has Down syndrome and I decided that from the sales of our coffee we would make a financial contribution to supporting people with Down syndrome.  Our contribution helps organizations fund life skills and job training that can lead to belonging through employment.  We’re striving towards our ultimate goal of providing employment opportunities to people with Down syndrome.     

2. What exactly does Daymaker do/provide?
Daymaker Coffee Roasters is a Mississauga based company focused on roasting fantastic tasting specialty coffee.  Our goal is to offer our customers fresh, local, fantastic tasting coffee that not only satisfies their taste buds but also connects with them through the shared values of sustainability, human kindness and belonging for everyone.  Our whole bean coffee is sealed in biodegradable bags and we hope to offer ground coffee options in 2023 along with an expanding variety of coffees.

3. What's been the most impactful lesson you've learned being an entrepreneur?
You don’t need to know everything or be perfectly prepared in order to get started.  In fact, the act of taking that first step is liberating.  It takes the unproductive weight of fear and doubt off your shoulders and replaces it with action focused initiatives.  I’ve discovered that every time I feel decision fatigue or hesitation, if I just take a chance and move ahead my energy shifts and progress follows.

4. How do you unwind?
What a thought-provoking question because as a start-up entrepreneur my business is all consuming; if not actually by time, then at least in my head.  Exercise…  That’s my release and unwinding activity.  Alternatively, it's sitting somewhere in the sun, outdoors, by a lake or just near a sunny window with a cup of coffee reflecting on the day and contemplating the future and enjoying the taste.

5. What succinct advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs?
As an entrepreneur, I’m living with the motto, “I don’t know what I don’t know”.  I’ve learned to accept that and not let it stop me from moving forward with my business.  My advice is to do the research, planning and other activities to move your business ahead, and then ask for advice from the people and professionals you work with.  Tell them this is new and that you don’t know everything and ask if there is something additional they think you should be doing or should know about.  The more I ask this question the more I realize there are fewer things I don’t know than I thought.

6. What are your goals for 2023?
Daymaker Coffee Roasters launched officially in the fall of 2022 and our goal for 2023 is to introduce more people throughout Mississauga to our locally roasted coffee and to share the missions we have to lighten the environmental footprint of coffee and to support people with Down syndrome.  

daymakercoffeeroasters.ca