Meet Torryn Hatcher

We were lucky to catch up with Torryn Hatcher recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Torryn, you’ve got such an interesting story, but before we jump into that, let’s first talk about a topic near and dear to us – generosity. We think success, happiness and wellbeing depends on authentic generosity and empathy and so we’d love to hear about how you become such a generous person – where do you think your generosity comes from?

Upper Room Roastery got its name from the account found in John 13 of Jesus washing the feet of His disciples. The night before His arrest, Jesus gathered with the disciples in the upper room of a home and shared a meal with them. It was there that Jesus, the one and only Son of God who had lived a life free of sin, prepared a basin of water and began to wash the feet of the twelve men. This event can seem odd on the outside, but there is such profound beauty woven in the details.

The disciples chosen by Jesus were men who were extraordinarily normal. They were fishermen, tax collectors, and like the rest of us, sinners. They were not royal heirs or political influencers; they spent their days walking on roads paved in dirt, which amassed on their feet. God, the creator of all the heavens and the earth, chose these men to walk alongside Jesus and establish the Church.

So Jesus, aware of all of His glory, began to cleanse the feet of these men. The only man who was worthy of being served took the place of a servant. Jesus, the King of Kings lowered Himself because His heart mourns for us. And the next day, He allowed Himself to be wrongfully arrested and crucified, with the same heart to save the ones He loves, the ones created in Him. Jesus is the embodiment of generosity. He allowed His body to be beaten and broken beyond excruciation. He endured every temptation we ourselves face, yet did not sin. Jesus gave His life so that we could be saved from our sin. He died because His heart is broken to see His children bound by the chains of death. In Jesus alone, the truth and life is found.

Jesus gave everything for us, for me. Knowing that we have a God in Heaven who loves us to such an extent, I have come to realize that it is all His anyway. To be generous is to know that what we have could be used for a purpose that is so much greater, and to actually be willing to entrust it to the Lord. He gave everything for us, so I want to live in appreciation of His generosity. This is why Upper Room Roastery is dedicated to giving back to the community. As Jesus washed the feet of His disciples in the upper room, we desire to wash the feet of those around us who need to know how deeply they are loved by Jesus Christ.

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?

Upper Room Roastery is a specialty coffee roasting business in Phoenix, Arizona. I started this business a little over a year ago, towards the end of my senior year of high school. What makes Upper Room Roastery special is that our heart is not simply for coffee, although we are proud to say that our coffee is loved exceptionally by our community. I look at this business as a mission field and a ministry, first and foremost.

I believe that there is so much joy that is missed when companies view sales simply as an “employee/customer” interaction. As entrepreneurs and employees, we tend to forget that each customer is a human, a real person with a real story, not merely a wallet. Our mission is to share the beautiful story of Jesus Christ with our customers, and we do so through delicious coffee. We see past monetary gain in our customers and see souls that are made in the image of the One True God. At Upper Room Roastery, we know that an authentic interaction with another person and the opportunity to share the saving grace of Jesus is priceless.

We are currently undergoing a shift in the “ministry” side of Upper Room Roastery, dialing in on where the Lord has called us to focus. An imperative part of my testimony is that I grew up in foster care, but by the grace of God, I was adopted into a wonderful family when I was twelve years old. I remember how it felt to be a little girl in a group home, having no sense of identity and no one to look up to. I know the Lord allowed the trials of my upbringing for a greater purpose, and this is a part of it. We have been setting aside 20% of profit each month for a coming initiative that will help us meet the physical and spiritual needs of the children in foster care in our state. The Lord has provided so abundantly for me, and I am blessed to have the opportunity to share the hope that has been given to me to those who are living where I once was.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Owning a business is truly a balancing act. Yes, I am an entrepreneur, but that is not all that makes me who I am. I am also a follower of Jesus Christ, a daughter, a sister, a full-time college student, a mentor, and a friend. I wish I could provide three skills that would set every business owner up for success, but the truth is that everything I have found has been laid on the foundation of one stone: where I find my identity.

If you are an entrepreneur, my advice is to confidently know that you are more than your company. Of course, be proud of your craft and work diligently to hone in your skills, but do not be consumed. If you are anything like me, you probably started your business because you had a niche skillset and a broad vision of how you could build something to marry the passions that stir your heart. You love the flexibility of owning a business, something that is the work of your own hands. My guess is that somewhere along this incredible journey, you realized that your position transitioned from the excitement of introducing your unique product to the world to the mundane and stressful task of administrative responsibilities. You suddenly wonder if entrepreneurship was truly your calling. After all, you signed up to be a wonderer and an inventor, not an accountant, right?

This is why it is crucial to remember that your business is not your identity. Sales rise and drop. Profit margins increase and decrease. There are seasons of popularity and slowness. Business will forever be in constant fluctuation, but your identity does not have to be. You are not just an entrepreneur, you are a man or woman that is made in the image of the living God, who sacrificially gave His son Jesus to die on the cross so you could have freedom. You are loved incomprehensibly and you are valued by those around you. My strongest advice is to rest in the fact that no matter how successful your business is, you can be content in all seasons that come your way. While this journey is exhilarating, it will never fulfill you the same way as embracing the love that is around you.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?

The reality of Upper Room Roastery is that it is far from a one-woman show. This business would not be anywhere near where it is today if not for my incredible parents. If anyone exemplifies the sacrificial love of Jesus for their children, it is my mom and dad. I still remember when I first told them it was my dream to own a coffee business, and they were full of nothing but excitement. They poured out encouragement to me and taught me how do live with discipline so I could pursue the Lord and through that, chase my dreams. My parents gave no hesitation when I told them I wanted to start my own coffee roasting business, while I was still in high school. They simply expressed joy and have supported me through this wild adventure every single day since.

My mom is truly wonder woman. Never have I met another woman with the same amount of ambition, yet a heart that is so tender to those around her. Every week, she sells coffee with me at my farmers markets and helps me with the tasks that I dread, such as taking inventory and restocking cups (because remember, I want to be a wonderer, not an accountant!) I was blessed with a mom who is fulfilled in serving those around her. I would not be able to balance running Upper Room Roastery without her. She is an inspiration to me and I could go on for pages of every way she helps me, but all my words would still fall short of capturing her incredible heart.

My dad is someone I am beyond grateful to look up to. He has a gift of discipleship that is a blessing to all who meet him. My dad has an ability to pour forth godly wisdom into situations that one would never expect, but his words are so powerful. He has helped me discern the Lord’s calling for my business and has also showed me how to be a more loving daughter through it, for his first priority is assuring that my mom is being loved well. If my dad sees an opportunity to serve, he will take it. Every week when I come home from my markets, he is waiting with the garage door open to help unload our car. Even during the hot summer, he comes to help me pack and load my booth so I can leave sooner.

There is nothing I could say to sufficiently express all my parents do to support me. Without a doubt, I know I am loved through their words, actions, and prayers. Upper Room Roastery is where it is today because my parents were dedicated to serving as Christ served us.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @upperroomroastery

Image Credits

My photos were all take by Don Rutherford.