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

Hi Crystal, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I was born to bake. And, while I get to do that at Industrial Grind Coffee, I feel called to do something more. Commercial/production baking is not the same as recipe creation and development, which is what I truly love. And, while I get to share the end result with my awesome customers, I really want to share the whole experience. I’ve got a lifetime of experience in the kitchen and I know aspects of baking can be intimidating for some people. Especially when you throw gluten free or dairy free recipes in the mix. The recipes for the baked goods we have been selling at the shop for the last 12 years are too good not to share, so I’ve decided to create an online baking subscription! This is where I share almost all of the recipes we use daily at the shop as well as many more that I’ve created over the years. I understand the importance of being as inclusive as possible, so every recipe has been created to accommodate classic (regular) baking and gluten free baking. And almost all the recipes are able to be dairy free and nut free as well. I believe that everyone has the potential to be a great baker, and everyone deserves to enjoy what they’re eating regardless of dietary restriction.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Nothing worth having is easy. If it was, you wouldn’t appreciate it in the same way. I recently had a random thought. “Do I consider myself successful?” if not, “What would qualify as success in my mind?” A fascinating thought, really. My mind is conditioned in a way that it’s never enough. Keep working, keep pushing, keep striving to be and do more. Eventually you will get there. But where is there? I was going through some old computer files and found a video from 2013. I had just graduated from culinary school and starry eyed about my dreams. I said in the video that I hoped to inspire others through food and that I really wanted my own bakery. Watching that video, realizing it’s been 10 years, and that I have 100% accomplished that goal was pretty profound. And, to answer my question above, I think that does make me successful. But it also makes me more driven and excited for what comes next. How much more can I do in the next 10 years? There are way too many challenges and lessons to go over here, but I will say, the most important trait to possess (in business, or anywhere in life) is grit. Everyone who is anyone has grit. They’ve gone through the trenches (emotionally, physically, mentally) and always come out on the other side a little smarter, a little more determined and a little more resilient. Let’s chat in 10 years and see what happened.

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 mean, I owe thanks to many people. Everyone who has ever let me bounce ideas off of them or listened to my struggles. Everyone who believes in the vision and does what they can to help make it a reality. From my business partners to my baristas to my customers to my family and friends. There is no way I’d be where I am today without all of them collectively. So a million thanks to all of them!

Website: industrialgrindcoffee.com and mscrystaljones.com

Instagram: @industrialgrindcoffee and @mscrystaljones

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