TIABI + The Jolt: Reducing Coffee Roasting Emissions
Seeing a problem in the world of coffee roasting, Tiffany Stiles, owner of The Jolt Coffee Co. and TIABI Coffee and Waffle Bar, took action to reduce the emissions of running a coffee shop.
Owning her own shops for eight years now, Stiles shared that it always bothered her knowing that roasting coffee leaves such a big carbon footprint.
“I was aware of it from the moment I opened a shop, and I felt guilty for it,” she said. Wanting to take action on this issue, Stiles researched how to reduce the emissions her business created.
Thanks to an intern, she learned about a company called Bellwether, which developed “the first zero-emission, electric, integrated and automatic roasting system in the world.”
“Back then, they only had a small machine,” she said. “But now they offer a cost-effective commercial machine, good enough for our business’s volume size.”
This machine essentially sucks in all the CO2 emissions produced from roasting coffee, converts it back into energy, and puts it back into the machine. While it still needs electricity to run, none of the CO2 is released, ultimately creating a carbon offset. According to Stiles, they’ve saved over eight trees so far and saved hundreds of pounds of CO2 from being emitted into the atmosphere.
Stiles shared that she felt the need to be socially responsible. As a business owner, “you have to take some accountability” for your business’s impact on the community, the environment, and the world.
In addition, Jolt Coffee was actually the first coffee shop in Nevada to have the Bellwether machine.
“Several other local coffee shop owners have come in to check out the machine, the process, and ask questions,” she said. “It’s sparked a lot of interest in regards to coffee.”
Starting Her Own Coffee Shop
While “not a real coffee person” herself, Stiles shared that she felt inspired to open her own shop because of the benefits they offer to the community and the fast-paced nature of the work. Formerly working for Starbucks, combined with years of running her own shops, she’s worked in the coffee business for over 12 years.
Traveling the country after graduating college, Stiles said she and her business partner saw how culturally rich other cities were. So she wanted to bring that experience to our community here in Las Vegas.
“A few years ago, Vegas didn’t have as many local coffee shops and places as we do now. When we first opened, there were less than ten coffee shops in the Vegas city area. And, they only made coffee, ” she said. “There also weren’t many locally-owned bakeries or restaurants as part of that communal framework; there was just a handful at the time. So, I wanted to bring that experience we had in those other cities here to our community. Now we have over forty independently-owned shops.”
The First Shop – TIABI
Coffee shops offer people a place to congregate, collaborate, and enjoy each other’s time. All while enjoying pleasant drinks, delicious baked goods, and other delicacies and experiences. With the potential for exponential growth in this type of business, Stiles and her business partner opened their first coffee shop, TIABI Coffee and Waffle Bar, in 2013. This, right off the backend of the Great Recession.
“People said we were crazy for doing that,” she said. “But it’s something we felt the community needed, and we wanted to be a part of making that happen.”
Expansion
Stiles opened her second coffee shop, The Jolt Coffee Co., in 2019. Her second TIABI location just opened on May 7th of this year. She reported that the pandemic didn’t otherwise affect her opening the new location, except for getting her business license.
Because of the backlog and difficulties syncing up with the health department and business license department, she ended up waiting over three months before she could open. In a typical scenario, she’d be open in about one to two months.
TIABI Coffee and Waffle Bar
With a relatively strict focus on just coffee and waffles, TIABI offers various unique menu options for these two categories.
“We’ve won a lot of waffle challenges on various food networks,” Stiles said. “We were even recognized as the ‘The Best Waffle in Nevada’ twice!”
Melted peanut Butter, banana, bacon and honey over a hot waffle.
In addition to traditional waffle options, you’ll find unusual waffle-inspired dishes. This includes their Guru Waffle Burger, “Waffledilla,” Avocado Grilled Cheese, and their “West Coast Wafflewich,” made with chicken, TIABI Sauce, bacon, avocado, tomato, and cheese. In addition, TIABI prepares all of their waffles with a vegan waffle batter, made with their very own recipe.
There’s also a make-your-own waffle bar available for people who want to “get crazy with toppings, ice cream, and your choice of a Golden, Churro, Maple Bacon, or Red Velvet Waffle.”
TIABI offers several signature coffees for their coffee menu, such as the Twilight Lavender Latte, Snickers Iced Coffee, Pistachio Latte, and Tiff’s Waffle Macchiato – a cinnamon vanilla macchiato, with whipped cream, and a churro waffle on top.
TIABI also dabbles slightly outside their coffee and waffle focus by including a few teas, blended iced drinks, and the occasional special pastry, like their Kale Cookies.
On Wednesdays, buy a waffle and get one half-off, including the waffle bar and all the TIABI classics.
Visit the TIABI Coffee and Waffle Bar at either of these locations:
- 3961 S. Maryland Parkway
- 4950 Rainbow Boulevard., Suite 140
Both locations open daily from 7 am to 5 pm, except for the Rainbow location, which is open until 7 pm. Fridays and Saturdays.
The Jolt Coffee Co.
Located inside the LGBTQ+ Center of Las Vegas, The Jolt specializes in offering various vegan pastries and sandwiches. They also sell bags of house-roasted coffee, traditional coffee options, and some signature blends also found at TIABI, as well as teas, frappes, juices, and smoothies.
Honoring Pride Month, The Jolt donated a portion of their proceeds to The Center for every pound of their Pride Blend coffee purchased in June. These bags cost $11.25 per pound.
Stiles shared that her favorite pastry currently offered is the vegan cinnamon rolls. Her favorite drink, which is available at both The Jolt and TIABI, is the Chaga-chino. This drink blends a mushroom complex, Madagascar vanilla, monk fruit sugar, and vanilla bean.
In addition, The Jolt is where the Bellwether Machine is located. This shop also roasts all the coffee for itself and both of the Tiabi locations.
Visit The Jolt at 401 S. Maryland Parkway Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. The Jolt is closed on Sundays, along with The Center.
Business Challenges and Goals
Challenges
Presently, Stiles shared that her current challenge to overcome is finding good people to employ. She’s looking to hire a baker, a kitchen staff person, a supervisor, and another part-time employee. These positions are available between the three coffee shops.
To apply for these positions, visit the locations or contact them at resume@tiabi.coffee.
Aside from employment, Stiles said that the biggest challenge of being a business owner is the level of responsibility involved.
“You’re in charge of your own time, and managing that time can be challenging,” she said. In addition, she added that accounting is “super important.”
“Many people get into business and don’t know anything about cash flow or money. I always tell people to start by learning accounting,” she explained. “Over the years, I gained insight into the balance of running a business while worrying about money and the goal at the same time. You have to be profitable to run a business while maintaining the focus on the actual mission and the “why” of it all in the process.”
She added that most people who start businesses are creative types but often need someone to manage the operations, accounting, and other things for them.
“You have to make all those things work simultaneously, find the catalyst to serve people, grow your business, and also recognize your competition,” she said. While this can be difficult, she said that it could be gratifying at the same time.
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Goals
Stiles said that her biggest goal is to further the growth and development of the cafes. Over the next five years, she hopes to open more locations and expand out of the state.
As she continues to grow herself and the business, Stiles shared that her favorite part about her work is the symbiotic relationship between herself, her business, her employees, the customers, and the community.
Giving Back to the Community
In addition to their donated proceeds of the Pride Blend to The Center, Stiles works with many different causes and organizations.
“We work with groups like the Girl Scouts and local teacher associations,” she said. They’ve also participated in the UNLV Hospitality Internship Program by offering an internship position.
The organizations that TIABI and The Jolt. partner with change throughout the year to get involved in as many different causes as possible.
#GetinMotion with TIABI and The Jolt
Learn more about TIABI Coffee and Waffle Bar and The Jolt Coffee Co., check out their menus, and place your order by visiting their websites.
Follow both coffee shops on Instagram at IWantTIABI and TheJoltCoffeeCo to keep updated on new menu items and other news.
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