Rousey Coffee Roasters

It represents a true story of transformation, resilience, and the power of hope. Founder Jeffrey “Pilot” Rousey isn’t your typical entrepreneur, and the creation of Rousey Coffee Roasters is one of the most unlikely origin stories you’ll ever hear.

In 1985, at twenty-two years old, Jeff Rousey’s aimless life seemed over. As a young adult, years of drug abuse and living on the edge culminated in a conviction for first-degree murder and a sentence of twenty-five years to life. For many, that could have been the end. For Jeff, the enormity of that crime required a fundamental reinvention from his soul outward. It would be his chance for a new beginning, even during incarceration. After fulfilling a promise to his mother to earn his sobriety, Jeff channeled his creative energy into becoming a skilled woodworker and craftsman. He coached other inmates on physical fitness. He fixed bikes for low-income kids. Then, his grandfather’s modest $2,500 inheritance allowed him to pursue a greater dream.

From his cell, Jeff taught himself the intricacies of coffee, from sourcing to roasting, and began to build his first coffee business. He designed everything from custom labels to coffee flavor profiles. With the help of his brother and friends on the outside, and without having the chance to taste his product, the dream became a reality. His company donated fifty pounds of coffee to the Department of Corrections for a special event and finally offered the opportunity to sip his creation. The taste was, he recalls, “like drinking life.”

Following his release in 2013, Jeff found a new life with Jaymie, a U.S. Air Force veteran who soon became his wife. Together, they formed Rousey Coffee Roasters in Startup, Washington, building the business from the ground up. Their roastery combines their passions for entrepreneurship and woodworking in every detail, including their headquarters, where the couple handcrafted rustic wooden accents.