Meet Joseph Arze, DBU Alumnus and Harp & Bowl Coffee Co. Co-founder

When Joseph Arze ('20) first came to campus, he didn't like coffee, nor did he have any interest in trying it. That changed after the Coffeehouse at DBU opened in 2018. Joseph recalls that the warm atmosphere and meaningful conversations with the staff played a major role in eventually convincing him to give coffee a try.

Joseph was encouraged to drink black coffee for ten days straight, with the promise that it would be enough to convert him. Sure enough, ten days later, he was hooked. His love for the culture at the Coffeehouse caused him to pursue a job there, and he joined the team in January of 2019.

After working for a year as a barista, Joseph was given the opportunity to travel to Guatemala. As a Spanish major, Joseph had been deeply immersed in his studies, and this trip offered the perfect opportunity to apply what he had learned while gaining real-world insight into the career path he was preparing to pursue. He visited Crossroads Cafe in Panajache, just off of Lake Atítlan, an area renowned for its rich coffee growing heritage and the perfect place to deepen his understanding of the craft. There, Joseph apprenticed under Crossroads Cafe owner, Mike Roberts, where he learned the ins and outs of the coffee industry.

Joseph shares, "I learned the basics of roasting coffee, buying green coffee (unroasted coffee), and how coffee is grown, processed, and every step of the way through exporting." Everything he learned from his experience, he took back with him to Texas, where his life in the coffee business began to shift.

As Joseph was finishing his degree in 2020, he stepped into the role of manager at the Coffeehouse—DBU's on-campus coffee shop and community hub—where he served for the next two years until December 2022. "I formed some of the greatest friendships and got to lead an amazing group of people. DBU gave me the coolest opportunity to just run with the shop, dream big, and pursue excellence with a passionate group of baristas." Within these two years, Joseph opened a second Coffeehouse location on campus and expanded the Coffeehouse team.

His experience operating the Coffeehouse helped him understand the importance of business leadership. "I was able to go through a real season of testing my work ethic and discipline and to see those moments where I had to put in my all for my coffee shop to keep running." Joseph also had immense support from Dr. Ross O'Brien, Chair of the Entrepreneurship Program at DBU's Carter School of Business, with Joseph's entrepreneurial pursuits. "He was someone who poured a lot of value into what we did at the Coffeehouse and always reminded me that the power of coffee as a conversation starter is a powerful tool of ministry."

While working at the Coffeehouse, he met his current business partner, Andy Norton. Over time, Joseph and Andy, along with Andy's wife, shared many meaningful conversations, cultivating a friendship that ultimately led to Joseph considering Andy to be a business partner. Joseph shares, "It felt very ordained as we naturally saw opportunity in coffee catering around the same time, and we both developed a strong desire to go into coffee roasting. Andy loves the Lord and is as passionate about coffee as I am, so the partnership has worked beautifully from day one."

After working together for two years catering coffee to their friends' weddings and events, Joseph and Andy made the ultimate decision to go all in on the Harp & Bowl Coffee Co. and make it something special. Their first official bag of coffee was sold in March 2023, kickstarting an exciting journey they both love.

Now, when it comes to talking coffee, Joseph knows his craft. Their business focuses not only on the product but also on the consumer, bringing something special with every roast. When asked about what goes into the process of coffee selections, he shared the special experience that Harp & Bowl brings to the table. "Our offering list is intentionally crafted to bring people along with us on our journey. It's not just about a quality standard, but about relationships and consumer education."

On their website, you will find six offerings that share information on the coffee farmer, agricultural, and tasting notes for each coffee. The information provided is much more than you would see in your grocery store and creates a curated experience for each bag of coffee being sold, helping customers understand and appreciate the story behind the coffee they're purchasing.

"We want to provide the opportunity for someone to drink a coffee and understand the product they're consuming even more, not just so they can be haughty about it, but to understand the journey that each bean has accomplished the moment it is used for their cup, and how their selection in which coffees to drink plays a part in a global community of growers, harvesters, sorters, producers, millers, exporters, and so on," Joseph shares.

At Harp & Bowl Coffee Co., selecting coffee is as much about passion and purpose as it is about taste. Joseph and Andy spend the year sampling coffee beans from around the world, always aiming for the highest industry standard called, "specialty grade." While anything scoring 80 or above qualifies, they don't settle for less than an 86.

"We work with producers and importers we truly believe in," Joseph explains. "And we carefully time our purchases to match each country's harvest season." By sourcing from a variety of regions and choosing beans with distinct flavor profiles, the Harp & Bowl Coffee Co. team ensures every cup offers something unique.

In addition to focusing on their consumers, Harp & Bowl Coffee Co. ensures the farmers also benefit. Their website details how they focus on the people who are "growing, harvesting, and producing" coffee. Over time, Joseph and Andy have been able to have more direct-trade relationships with their growth in buying power. "We've had the chance to work closely with a couple of producers who truly care for the people who work on their farms and put a strong emphasis on their community and making sure they are cared for well." Joseph and Andy are continuously learning about ethical and sustainable ways to source their coffees and raising the standard for conducting business that is best for communities globally.

Joseph shares, "We hope to make an origin trip in the coming years and see with our own eyes the positive impact we are making in communities across the world."

Harp & Bowl Coffee Co. has found incredible people to work with, whom Joseph titles "heroes of business and coffee." Coffee is still an emerging science, and people like Joseph and Andy are learning alongside others as the industry continues to grow and evolve with new knowledge. In fact, there's an annual conference put on by the Specialty Coffee Association where thousands of professionals in the coffee industry come to learn, grow, and be inspired.

"During both years that we've gone, we've come back inspired and more connected than ever, and we have many new relationships that spur us towards bettering our business," Joseph shares. "The Lord has provided for our business in unexpected ways. We have faith that He has a plan for what we'll do and how we will be able to continue to speak into the lives of those we do business with."

Joseph is married to Emily Jeanne Arze ('25), who recently completed DBU's Bachelor of Psychology and Master of Professional Counseling programs. Emily has been an enormous supporter and rock for Joseph since this incredible journey with Harp & Bowl Coffee Co. began. They are expecting their first child and are incredibly excited to enter a new chapter of life called "parenthood," and look forward to continuing to serve those they cross paths with through their love of coffee.

To learn more about Harp & Bowl Coffee Co., visit the Harp & Bowl Coffee Co. website.