ANN ARBOR – Mighty Good Coffee is turning the page and writing a new chapter. Under the leadership of new Managing Director Jess Harmon, formerly of Cultivate and Stovetop Coffee Roasters, a seasoned coffee professional with over 15 years of experience in roasting, retail, and operations, the Michigan-based coffee company is undergoing a full relaunch, one that is grounded in care and connection.
“I came back to Michigan ready to build something with real purpose,” says Harmon. “This isn’t a return to what was. This is a transformation, not just of how we lead, but how we source, and how we show up for people.”
New Leadership, New Direction
Harmon brings a deep knowledge of the coffee industry from time spent across Michigan and most recently in Atlanta, GA. Their focus is clear: build a company that makes exceptional coffee while creating real opportunities for people and connections.
Changes already underway include:
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Relocating roasting operations to Dexter, MI, where a new café concept, training lab, and roasting facility are being developed
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Sourcing more transparently, with a focus on coffee grown by women and communities historically pushed to the margins
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Expanding education and access, offering public classes for home roasters, coffee enthusiasts, and industry professionals
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Redesigning internal systems, including pay structures aligned with Living Wage For US standards and equity-centered hiring and communication practices
From Partnerships to a Community Hub
Mighty Good’s is recommitting to past partnerships and seeking out opportunities to foster new relationships, which reinforces the brand’s investment in community care, harm reduction, food access, and mutual aid.
The new café concept in Dexter is being developed with intentionality. “We want our space to be more than a café,” Harmon says. “It should be a place to gather, to learn, and to feel like you belong. We believe in relationships over transactions, and in using coffee to build something bigger than ourselves.”
A Company Rebuilt, Not Just Rebranded
Harmon acknowledges Mighty Good’s past challenges under previous leadership and is clear about the work being done to move forward with transparency.
They state, “For me, this work is personal. It’s about building a business that reflects who I am and who we are as a team and community. Coffee can be a tool for justice and belonging. I want Mighty Good to be a place where those connections are real and lasting.”
About Mighty Good Coffee
Mighty Good Coffee is a Michigan-based coffee roaster and café focused on ethical sourcing, inclusive practices, and building community through exceptional coffee. Under new leadership, the company is grounded in transparency, equity, and connection, and they are brewing something truly mighty for the future.
