Ep.53 - Brick by Brick: How Dodo Coffee Built a Movement in Arkansas

In this episode of Crossroad Conversations, the Lewis Brothers sit down with Isaiah, founder of Dodo Coffee, to explore how a dream, a rundown 600 sq ft building, and an unwavering commitment to clean coffee turned into one of Northwest Arkansas’s fastest-growing coffee brands.

Isaiah shares how he and his wife Sarah moved from Washington to Arkansas, built their first shop “brick by brick,” then lost it to road expansion within a year. Instead of quitting, they pivoted to a coffee trailer and gained even more traction. Along the way, they built a loyal community, learned to balance family and business, and even began supplying coffee to professional sports teams. This is a story of perseverance, community, and the power of staying authentic in business.

Takeaways

• Success often comes from resilience and pivoting when plans collapse.
• Building authentic community creates loyalty that lasts through challenges.
• Clean, high-quality products plus a welcoming experience win repeat customers.
• Storytelling and transparency on social media create stronger engagement than ads.
• Family collaboration can be a business’s greatest strength.
• Sometimes the “grimy work” of renovating, roasting, and hustling is what builds credibility.
• Strategic pivots (like moving to a trailer) can unlock new opportunities.
• Persistence opens unexpected doors — including partnerships with national brands and pro sports teams.

Feel the dynamic energy of the Lewis Brothers as they deliver real stories and lessons that keep local businesses on their toes, and share how experiences in the community inspire them to keep on driving.

Check out all our great episodes at CrossroadConversationsPodcast.com!