Meet Jonathan Pascual | Owner

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

Hi Jonathan, what’s the most important think you’ve done for your children?
The most important thing I’ve done as a parent is that I’ve been present. I have four kids, currently ages 7 to 12, and I have had the incredible privilege of being there to witness their childhood. My business started just one year after my youngest child was born, and it could have easily consumed most waking hours of my life. Instead, I intentionally planned the organization, staffing, and growth of my coffee shop so that it could thrive without my physical presence during all hours of operation. For years now, I’ve been able to take point in picking my kids up from school, cooking family dinners every weeknight, and tucking my kids into bed. My heart is at rest knowing my kids know my voice, my personality, my quirks, my strengths and weaknesses. By prioritizing presence, our family has stored up a trove of priceless memories and my kids have a rock-solid foundation of family and faith that will support them being built up as the next generation of world-changers.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Taproom is, at its core, simply a neighborhood coffee shop. We’re serious about specialty coffee and craft beer, but we’re also serious about being a place where people always feel comfortable coming to hang out, meet up with friends, get work done, or grab their favorite beverage to-go. We strive to deliver consistently amazing customer service and quality of our products. I’ve certainly grown as a business owner through ups and downs over the years. Perseverance is key, and without challenges and near-failures, I wouldn’t have learned all that I have in the six years that my business has been open. Even though I worked in the coffee industry for eight years before I opened Taproom, it wasn’t until I was the one at the helm that I more fully understood the seriousness and responsibility of running a business where hundreds of customers and a whole team of employees relies on you to make the right calls day in and day out. For a long while now I’ve mentored, coached, and consulted for individuals starting their own coffee businesses or entrepreneurial journeys. I’ve been able to guide many others in their unique projects, but I’ve also personally benefited from the very process of teaching others. Sometimes when you have to analyze successes and failures from every angle in order to pass on that information, it has a deeper impact on your continued growth and development. If I’ve learned anything worth sharing, it’s been the lesson of the long game. I’ve had to have a bigger-picture view of things, learning to be patient when sales are low for a season, when something breaks down unexpectedly, when employees quit without notice, or when I just don’t feel like I know what I’m doing. Proficiency and public trust can take years to build. My goal each day is to do everything to the best of my ability, for the glory of God. I do strive for excellence but I can’t let myself get discouraged by day-to-day challenges.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Whatever the order of things, I’d make sure to include: If it’s not raining, an afternoon stroll on the Beltline – for the people-watching, the street art, and the passing backdrop of city life. For dinner and dessert, we’d try out places on Buford Highway that I’ve never been to before – there are endless options and so many hidden gems! For one day we’d drive out of the city for an hour or so and take a hike to a waterfall – it’s an amazing privilege to be so close to beautiful forest hikes and the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. This is something that I do regularly with my wife, kids, and dog, with a goal to eventually hit up every waterfall in the state. If it’s soccer season, an Atlanta United game is a MUST – cheap stadium food, packed stands, a great team… it all lives up to the hype. Of course, I’d take my friend to experience Taproom too!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I couldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for the gracious, consistent, loving support of my wife Sarah. She is my adventurous partner in this journey of life, matching and spurring on my drive to be purposeful and intentional in all that we are stewards of.

Website: www.taproomcoffee.com
Instagram: @taproomcoffee
Facebook: facebook.com/taproomcoffee