Meet our Cuppers: Nate Bell

So what is a cupper, you ask? At Crimson Cup, it’s someone who is passionate about coffee. Many of our Cuppers have invested long hours – in some cases, years – in learning to objectively assess the quality of coffee. Each of our Cuppers brings a unique palate, set of skills and personality to our mission of consistently roasting the world’s best-tasting coffee. This is one of a series of interviews with our Cuppers.

Nate Bell, Assistant Manager, Crimson Cup Coffee House

Nate came to his role at Crimson Cup Coffee House in Clintonville with four years of coffee business experience.  As Assistant Manager, he’s involved in just about every aspect of coffee house operations. Notably, he:

• Is a rock star barista.
• Coaches other baristas on new and better drink preparation techniques.
• Analyzes our retail approach, looking for ways to provide better value to our customers through the menu and speed of service.
• Heads up order, supply and inventory.
• Handles money, deposits and banking.
• Edits and adjusts the work schedule.
• Conveys important information to baristas.
• Works on store marketing and social media.

Initially, Nate became addicted to coffee as a college survival remedy. “I spent a lot of time in coffee shops, drinking too much coffee, but always loving the cups and conversations,” he recalls. “It was only a matter of time before coffee helped me graduate and then gave me my first job out of school. It seems the least I could do for coffee is to continue to spread its goodness and share its story with others.”

Managing the coffee house is an ideal career for Nate, who loves people and values relationships above everything. “I love coffee because it brings people together,” he says. “I love looking out over the cafe to see so many people talking, laughing, and conversing over cups of coffee. I believe if more people spent more time talking things out over coffee, our world would be a better place.”

Outside of the coffee house, Nate’s affinity for people and coffee has taken him on some exciting journeys. “I have experienced the global impact of coffee in real people’s lives while engaging in ministry in Dominican Republic sugar cane villages,” he says. “I’ve also taken coffee plantation tours in Northern Uganda and Papua New Guinea as part of study abroad and cultural immersion projects. Notably, I enjoyed multiple visits to the “#1 coffee shop in the world,” Truth Coffee in Cape Town, South Africa, while doing mission work with the youth of South Africa.”

A humble guy, Nate is quick to credit Christ, his family and wife for their support. “And I would never be here without my Crimson Cup family and the many others who have influenced me and poured into my life. Once again, I thank you all and God bless!

He plans to continue expressing his passions for people, Christ and coffee through barista training and coffee house discipleship ministry. “I can only imagine what God might do in the future!”

If you love coffee and conversation, stop by Crimson Cup Coffee House at 4541 North High Street in Clintonville to meet Nate.