Meet Jake Thomas-Freeman

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jake Thomas-Freeman a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jake, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?

In my twenties, I embarked on a journey of personal growth, and one of the most transformative aspects of this journey was the opportunity to travel. Through my travels, I encountered a diverse range of individuals from various walks of life—each with their own unique stories, perspectives, and experiences. Engaging with people from different cultures and backgrounds challenged my preconceived notions and pushed me out of my comfort zone.

These interactions allowed me to develop a deeper understanding of the world and, more importantly, of myself. I began to realize that confidence and self-esteem are not innate traits, but rather qualities that are nurtured through the connections we form and the experiences we embrace. The kindness, wisdom, and resilience of the people I met along the way inspired me to see my own potential and value.

The diverse environments I was exposed to helped me shed the limitations of my previous mindset, encouraging me to adopt a more open, fearless, and authentic version of myself. This process of self-discovery, shaped by the global community I became part of, was instrumental in building the confidence and self-esteem that now guide my personal and professional life.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

Our family business, FIX Coffeebar, was founded in 2016 by my father and his wife, who poured their hearts and souls into creating a space that prioritized quality, consistency, and exceptional customer service. They worked tirelessly, often around the clock, to ensure that every cup of coffee met the highest standards. A little over a year ago, my wife and I took the reins of the business, and while we’ve embraced the responsibility of leading FIX, we’ve remained steadfast in honoring the ethos that my father and his wife established.

What excites us most about continuing this journey is the deep-rooted connection we have with our local community. We maintain a firm commitment to buying only local—whether it’s our beans or our produce. We believe that the community that supports us deserves the best, and that means never compromising on quality. This philosophy is reflected in the exceptional coffee we serve, which is made with care and dedication.

At the heart of our operations is our belief in the three pillars of “farmer to roaster to barista.” We understand that if any one of these elements fails, the entire chain is compromised, and the quality of the coffee suffers. That’s why we’re passionate about working with local roasters here in Houston who are transparent in their fair-trade practices and who share our commitment to sustainability and quality. By supporting these roasters, we’re able to ensure that every cup we serve tells a story of ethical sourcing and community solidarity.

One of the things that truly sets us apart and put us on the map are our house-made syrups, which we craft using only organic ingredients. The most beloved of these are our honey lavender and honey fig syrups, which are inspired by a cherished family tradition. These syrups were created by my grandmother back in England, who would make them using Oxfordshire honey and figs from the Middle East for her afternoon tea. My father, ever the sentimentalist, kept her memory alive by introducing them at FIX Coffeebar, and we’ve continued that tradition. Today, we use locally-sourced Texas honey, Californian figs, and real dried lavender, all while maintaining the essence of my grandmother’s original recipes.

FIX Coffeebar is more than just a coffee shop; it’s a reflection of our family’s values and the community we are proud to serve. As a family-owned business, we are deeply honored to be a respected part of the local fabric, and we remain dedicated to providing not just great coffee, but an experience that celebrates quality, craftsmanship, and connection.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, three key qualities have played a central role in shaping my journey: resilience, a deep understanding of quality, and the ability to cultivate meaningful relationships.

Resilience has been essential in overcoming the inevitable challenges of entrepreneurship. Running a family business requires a mindset that embraces setbacks as opportunities for growth. There were moments when things seemed impossible, but staying focused on the long-term vision and maintaining perseverance through adversity has always helped me push forward. My advice to those starting out is simple: stay committed and learn from every setback. Resilience is built through experience, but the key is to keep moving forward, even when it feels difficult. A book that really helped me is ‘failing forward’ while most who fail or suffer setbacks give up and search out safety and to hide, failing forwards means you see your failings and mistakes as a blessing and a lesson.

An unwavering commitment to quality has been at the heart of everything we do at FIX Coffeebar. My father instilled in me the importance of never compromising on the standard of our product. Whether it’s the coffee we serve or the syrups we create, our focus has always been on delivering the best possible experience to our customers. I remember on one occasion while pulling an espresso shot my father was not happy with the quality, rather than send it out or use it he decided to hold until the machine had been redialed, we call this term ‘jumping’ as the beans will jump (not physically) and due to the atmospherics and humidity throughout the day will need rebalancing. My father would rather ensure the right quality shot is pulled and customers will wait than send out a sub par shot. For those early in their journey, I encourage them to hone in on their craft and ensure that quality is never sacrificed for convenience or shortcuts. It’s the dedication to excellence that sets great businesses apart.

Finally, the ability to build and nurture relationships has been invaluable. The connections we’ve made with local roasters, our loyal customers, and the Houston community have not only helped our business grow, but they’ve also shaped the culture of our brand. Building genuine, trust-based relationships is crucial in any industry. My advice to new entrepreneurs is to invest time and effort into cultivating relationships—not just for business purposes but for learning and growth. Surround yourself with people who inspire you and push you to be better. Make friends with people in your industries, have meet ups, share ideas, we are all in this together after all.

For anyone early in their journey, I’d say focus on these three areas: develop resilience by embracing failure as a learning tool, commit to quality in all aspects of your business, and never underestimate the power of relationships. These qualities are the foundation of success, and as you refine them, you’ll find that they naturally guide you toward your goals.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?

As previously mentioned a book that has played a significant role in my personal and professional development is Failing Forward: Turning Mistakes into Stepping Stones for Success by John C. Maxwell. This book reshaped the way I view failure and has been a guiding influence in navigating the challenges of running a business.

One of the most impactful concepts from Failing Forward is the idea that failure is not something to fear or avoid, but rather a necessary stepping stone on the path to success. Maxwell emphasizes that success is often built on a series of failures, and the key to growth lies in how we respond to those setbacks. This shift in perspective has been invaluable, especially when facing obstacles in our journey with FIX Coffeebar. Instead of seeing mistakes as setbacks, we’ve come to view them as opportunities for growth and learning—each failure provides insights that help us improve and evolve.

Another key takeaway is the importance of resilience and perseverance. Maxwell stresses that it’s not the failure itself, but the decision to give up that leads to permanent defeat. This lesson has been particularly powerful in running a small business, where challenges are inevitable. Whether it’s navigating the unpredictability of the coffee industry or managing day-to-day operations, the ability to persist and learn from each mistake has been essential to our success. The message that failure doesn’t define us, but rather how we choose to move forward does, has been a guiding principle in how we approach challenges.

Finally, Maxwell’s emphasis on the mindset of growth resonated deeply with me. He encourages readers to embrace a mindset that constantly seeks improvement, even in the face of setbacks. This has influenced how we approach our work at FIX Coffeebar, where we’re always refining our processes and products based on both successes and failures. It reminds us that the pursuit of excellence is a continuous journey, one that involves trial, error, and constant learning.

For anyone just starting out, my advice is to embrace the lessons of Failing Forward. Don’t fear mistakes—see them as opportunities to learn, grow, and move closer to your goals. Resilience, a growth mindset, and the courage to keep going, even after failure, are the keys to turning obstacles into stepping stones on the road to success. A lot of people aren’t aware of the fact most successful people out there have failed time and time again, but we only look at their success, but there was a long and arduous journey beforehand.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://fixhtx.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fixhtx/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FIXCoffeebarHouston/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/fix-coffeebar-houston
• Other: Google page and reviews: https://g.co/kgs/2NYEuS8