I’m a SoCal native from Torrance, a cool spot just a short drive from LA (well, when traffic’s behaving). Remember Beverly Hills 90210? Yep, I graduated from that Torrance High in ‘04. Gave college a shot at El Camino aiming to be a Sign Language Interpreter, but instead, I rocked the barista life at Starbucks in Harbor City. It’s where my love affair with coffee began, diving deep into the flavors from different corners of the world.

Fast forward to 2008, the recession nudged me into FedEx at their LAX hub. Spent a solid 8 years there, found love with Kevin, and adopted our fur babies Yukon and Darla. By 2015, ready to welcome our boy Ethan, we took a leap and moved to Oregon, landing in beautiful Portland with a FedEx gig.

After settling in Oregon, I hopped back to Starbucks, then switched it up at Costco. But here’s the kicker: in 2019, a podcast on home coffee roasting caught my ear. I got hooked, diving into roasting. That first sip of my own roasted Bolivian Coffee?

Game-changer. Thus, Elliott & Murrey Coffee Roasters was born. Cheers to great coffee adventures! 

 

 

The Evolution of this Mom-Owned Coffee Company

When I started Elliott & Murrey, I didn’t know my identity. I followed the flow of other local coffee roasters and never branched out to identify what makes me and my brand unique. That’s bothered me for a long time because I never really had a label for myself, and I was just me. A woman who owned her coffee roasting business happens to be a mom. But that was just it; I’m a Mom- Owned Coffee Company. I roast the coffee, and hence the tagline ” Roasted by Mom ” was born. I realized this was when I wanted a unique coffee blend just in time for Mothers Day. I made a rainbow-themed label and called it ” Roasted by Mom ” – It was a smash hit.

Right then and there, I realized the marks I was missing with advertising and creating a brand that people could trust were right in front of my face. I decided to file a trademark with the tagline Roasted by Mom immediately. It makes sense because I’m a mother of a seven-year-old who is about to start 1st grade in the fall. I want to ensure he grows up to be the best person and provide the best of everything. I want to be able to have my company still when he gets older and learn about the coffee industry.

Moms want the best for their family and children, especially when it comes to running a business; they want to provide the best goods or services they offer. That is how I roll when it comes to using high-quality specialty-grade coffee and roasting in a way for all to enjoy. I share with everyone my fufu light roast coffee and share coffee with those who want coffee that tastes like coffee. I have a little something to share: my love, my craft, and my passion for coffee.

 

So who is Elliott and who is Murrey ?!?

They are both of my names. It is all me dude.

I grew up in a family-owned business that manufactured billiards, pool tables, and bowling lanes called Murrey & Sons Inc. My Grandfather, Gordon Murrey ran the company as the CEO and he was my inspiration to one day either run the company or have my own business one day.  When I started my coffee company I wanted to honor him and my family.

I’m also an Elliott because I took my husband’s name and wanted to incorporate this with our family but also it is a part of me, my identity. I believe that everyone is family from our amazing customers or those who drank our coffee once and never saw them again. No matter what your story is, you get a warm cup of coffee and a welcome into our roastery.