The Calum Johnson Show I Went Viral On Shark Tank! How She Built A $20M Coffee Business From Nothing
Jan 19, 2026
In this insightful conversation, Margaret Nyamumbo, Founder and CEO of Kahawa 1893, shares her inspiring journey from a Kenyan coffee farm to running a $20M business. She speaks about the challenges women coffee farmers face and how her brand aims to restore dignity and fair pay. Margaret also reveals how a spontaneous project ignited her passion for coffee, her eye-opening experience on Shark Tank, and the importance of building belief in oneself. Plus, she offers valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs on starting a business rooted in passion.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Pandemic Nearly Killed The Business
- Early Kahawa sold into tech offices and grew via farmers markets and tastings.
- The pandemic wiped out office sales and left Margaret polishing her resume with credit card debt.
Trader Joe's Saved The Brand
- A Trader Joe's purchase revived Kahawa 1893 and led to viral attention.
- The brand became the first nationally distributed Black-owned coffee in Trader Joe's and gained rapid retail interest.
Flavor Comes From The Farm
- Most coffee flavor is created at the farm level, not in roasting.
- Yet supply chains and credit go to roasters, which hides farmers' craft and perpetuates inequity.
