Meet Walt Anderson: President/COO of Refuge Coffee Co.

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

Hi Walt, alright, let’s jump in with a deep one – what’s you’re definition for success?
As the President/COO of Refuge Coffee Co. a father to two daughters and the husband to my amazing wife Caroline; I have learned that success is the sum of all of life’s light bulb moments. Nobody can truly say that success is one thing, but I do believe that success is about the human impact that your life leaves behind. I am far from a perfect leader but I try to be a leader who learns and adapts to those lessons. These moments can be referred to as “little light bulb moments of purpose.” Whether I am experiencing one of these for myself, helping someone else experience them or leading an organization through one, these light bulb moments keep us on the path of success. Success cannot be measured by a bank account or a large house, instead it must be measured in the steps we take along the path of purpose and the light that leads the way.

What should our readers know about your business?
Refuge Coffee Co., a 501c3 non-profit business, exists to serve the global community in Clarkston through coffee-related job creation, job training, social networking, and commerce. We dream of a more vibrant Clarkston, one where refugees have opportunities to thrive. Where they move from survival in their first days here to building a life. Where people from greater Atlanta and beyond discover the multi-textured beauty of a global culture right here in our own backyard. We believe in the resilience of our refugee neighbors. We see incredible strength in our barista/trainees. Our goal is to join in the task of empowering our refugee friends to use their many gifts to help us create refuge. One day soon, we hope to see Clarkston emerge as a destination, a richly-textured “village” where people who live in greater Atlanta and beyond come to experience a dining, entertainment, and shopping experience created by a robust collaboration between immigrant and American business owners.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We have to start at Refuge Coffee Co. Clarkston for a latte and local sambusa. Then of course we would head downtown to visit the Sweet Auburn neighborhood and check out Refuge Sweet Auburn to enjoy a refreshing iced hibiscus tea…I think you can see the theme here…haha.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would love to shoutout my wife. She is a teacher and has been my hero through this pandemic. Dedicating countless hours to a hybrid online/in-person model of learning all year. Caroline Anderson you are my Shero!

Website: www.refugecoffeeco.com

Instagram:  @walterrayanderson

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wanderson1980/

Image Credits
Zuly Rabelo Photography