As we inch closer and closer to the end of 2025 it’s interesting to look back and see how quickly the year went by. The days, weeks, months and now the year, have gone by in the blink of an eye. With every passing day it can feel like the world just keeps moving faster and faster, till we feel as if we’re simply being swept along by the currents of life. For many of us, to stay on our “A” game and to feel focused, alert and ready to take on those busy, whiplash inducing days, we cling to our coffee. It’s a staple that helps keep us put together and moving onward. Another powerful key to success and/or survival in this fast paced world…is a steady, firm foundation. A place we can anchor ourselves to. A place where we can dig our feet in, put roots down, and stand firm in who we are and what our purpose is.
Andrew and Olivia Kreke of Hamilton, are on a mission to make sure people not only start their day with a quality cup of coffee, but that they’ll also be reminded of just how important it is to have a firm foundation. Their hope…is that their coffee would be not only enjoyable and delicious, but that it would also bring people closer together and closer to God…the strongest foundation there is.
In 2023 Andrew and Olivia began to dabble in the art of coffee roasting. Armed with a small roaster that fit easily on their kitchen counter, the Kreke’s would unknowingly begin, what would eventually become, Firm Foundations Coffee Roasters.
For Andrew and Olivia, there was no big plan to take over the coffee world, no grand scheme to become Master Roasters, just genuine interest in coffee roasting and the many aspects of it. During that time of their lives they were still focused on their careers and raising their growing family. Andrew, an Electrician, was working to complete his Apprenticeship Program, and Olivia was working as a Sales Analyst for Clorox. They were happy. With a little boy, Caleb, who was already such a blessing and a little girl, Harper, on the way, what more could they want?
However, there’s a saying that goes something like this, “If you wanna make God laugh, tell Him your plans…” For Olivia, that came in the form of being a stay at home mom. It was truly a life choice that had never been on her radar. It just wasn’t something she saw for herself, nor did it seem like it would suit her. But as God so often does, He began to change Olivia’s heart. She began to crave the idea of staying home with her two small children. It was that shift that started a dialogue with her husband about ways they could fill that void where her income had been…and would ultimately lead them to where they are now.
Since the beginning of their relationship, Andrew and Olivia had always prayed together. So when faced with this crossroads moment, of Olivia becoming a stay at home mom, and the changes it would bring, the Kreke’s did what they had done so many times in the past…they took their heartfelt requests to God. They knew they needed not only His guidance, but they needed Him to open and shut doors that were either truly meant for them or absolutely not in their best interest.
As God began to move, it became clear that the direction He was guiding them was to start a coffee roasting business. So they upgraded their roaster, and started their very own, small batch coffee roasting business. A business that they’ll proudly tell you, has the absolute best CEO imaginable…God.
Stepping out in faith isn’t always easy, but when you see God working and moving on your behalf, it makes those steps feel more like joyful leaps of faith and less like terrifying trust falls. For example, Olivia and Andrew had been looking for people and places they could partner with. Places where they could get their product in front of more people, but also have the opportunity to build relationships. Unfortunately, the two places Olivia had hoped to partner with, were already selling coffee. But the Kreke’s kept praying, and God moved. WeatherTree Farms and The Farmer’s Collective, which had originally been no-go’s, were now both becoming an exciting reality. The story doesn’t end there though. The roaster, who had previously been working with WeatherTree, was getting out of the business. That revolation led Olivia and Andrew to wonder if he would be selling his roaster, a roaster they could very much use. So laying in bed one night, they did as they had done every step of the way, and they prayed. They prayed that if they were meant to have the roaster that God would be in it and if they were meant to take a leap of faith in a different direction, that He’d be in that too.
When they finished praying Olivia looked at her phone and she had a message. Much to her surprise, it was from the man who owned the roaster. He said he’d heard about them, heard they were faith based and he was wondering if they would be interested in his roaster. It was such a God thing. It was also confirmation that they were in fact building not just a business, but a testimony.
Having just celebrated their 1 year business anniversary, Olivia and Andrew continue to be amazed at how God is blessing their business. If you’re on facebook, you likely know the name: Southwest Ohio Weather Freak. For many, he’s THE trusted source in weather…he’s also a coffee drinker. A few months ago he reached out to Olivia and Andrew and told them he’d love to partner with them. Seeing that he has such a large following, Olivia couldn’t understand why he would want to work with them. She felt like, other than coffee, they didn’t have much to offer someone like himself. But upon further conversation they realized it was him who wanted to help them. He’d seen that they were faith based, loved their mission, and simply wanted to do his part to help them grow their business. They came up with a hazelnut blend, made from brazil coffee beans, and they called it, “Storm”....and a storm it was! Upon him posting their collaboration, the Kreke’s numbers shot up to over 1k followers…with “Storm” now being their #1 selling coffee.
Firm Foundation Coffee Roasters is truly doing the Lord's work. Not only are they supplying their customers with incredible coffee, that will give them a firm foundation to start their day on…but they’re pointing people to the firmest foundation of them all, God.
