Anthony (Tony) DeMatteo, a professional home builder by trade, started roasting coffee as a hobby and labor of love. But when his passion and a desire to serve the community blossomed into a full-time venture, Tony and his wife, Lauren, launched Dark Water Coffee Roasters.

Tony found himself asking local businesspeople questions and while their support was appreciated, he wasn’t getting the clear, structured guidance he needed. Curtis Burdette, a local economic development professional, introduced Tony to the Michigan SBDC, where he met Senior Business Consultant Marie Elliott.

Marie helped Tony with a variety of business needs, including financial projections and strategy. She taught him how to use a spreadsheet to analyze his costs and sales, which has now  become one of Tony’s favorite tools.

“Marie was able to look at [my business] and go, ‘Alright, we can start here. What don’t you know?'” Tony explained. “She helped me figure out the cost of goods sold and what that looks like. She really helped me get moving on the track of data analysis for our business.”

With guidance from Marie, the DeMatteos’ hard work and guidance from Marie paid off. In a short amount of time, sales grew by nearly 50%, and net profit almost tripled. Tony is currently working to hire his first employee outside of his family, a new challenge he is excited to take on with the support of the Michigan SBDC.

Tony’s journey from home builder to coffee roaster has taught him a great deal. He now shares his wisdom with other new entrepreneurs at the Starting Block, an incubator kitchen where he roasts his coffee.

Tony emphasized the importance of staying energized and not getting overwhelmed by the process of starting a small business. “Seize that initial momentum – just figure out what you need to do to get to the next step. You may make mistakes, but people are going to help you along the way,” he advised.

Tony’s story is a testament to the power of passion, community and the right resources behind him. By embracing a new direction and seeking expert guidance, he and his wife turned a hobby into a thriving business that is now a pillar of their community.