Howdy 
In remembrance of my first “real” job, I want to share a press release about myself and my role at Not Your Average Joe.
While currently live on the business’s website ( 11/16/2024 ), the next piece of news will push it into the internet abyss. So why not preserve it here?
I have to give big credit to Emily Loughridge, she did an amazing job highlighting my position and the goals I have set at NYAJ.
NYAJ’s Entrepreneur in Residence Launches Initiative to Expand Nonprofit’s Reach
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – Nolen Crawford credits his mother for finding Not Your Average Joe (NYAJ), a local nonprofit that employs over 150 students and adults with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities in coffee-shop environments.
“I first discovered NYAJ thanks to my mom, who has a knack for finding the best coffee shops whenever we travel. Her passion for discovering great spots led me to learn about NYAJ and eventually join the team,” Crawford said.
His first experience with NYAJ’s staff came as a customer, but eventually Crawford began volunteering and later working as a barista throughout his first year at the University of Oklahoma (OU). His experiences with the Norman staff – including waking up at 5 a.m. to prep 200 burritos for the OU football team – led him to staying in Oklahoma instead of returning to his hometown of Mountain Springs, TX.
Nearly a year after his first visit to NYAJ, Crawford accepted the role as Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR). In his new role, Crawford will lead business-to-business initiatives in terms of NYAJ’s coffee and product operations. He will focus on efficiently boosting revenue in NYAJ’s five stores, especially as there are plans to open three new locations by the end of the year. Crawford’s specialty is looking into existing avenues of revenue, expanding those, and creating new business opportunities.
“As a young entrepreneur, I aim to bring fresh ideas and the ability to execute them, which will support our current expansion efforts,” Crawford said. “NYAJ has profoundly influenced me. Being involved at various levels has positively impacted my personal and professional growth. I’m grateful to be part of an organization that strives for greatness and creates real value in the world.”
Crawford got his first taste of building new verticals as NYAJ won a pitch competition with Reasor’s, a regional grocery store chain based in Tulsa. He worked diligently alongside Tim Herbel, NYAJ’s executive director, Cole Klaassen, a business intern, and many other NYAJ staff to execute the details needed for the 746-unit deal, including NYAJ’s six jam flavors and three lines of coffee.
Reasor’s shelves are now stocked with NYAJ’s four base coffees (405 Blend, Colombian, House Blend, and Midnight Oil), four flavored coffees (Maple Bacon, Cinnadoodle, Southern Pecan, and Highlander Grogg), and Native Grounds (a single origin varietal coffee roasted by Andi Parnacher, the first female Native American Speciality Coffee Association certified coffee roaster in the world). The order required “an amazing team” to pack, label, and deliver the products from OKC to Tulsa according to Crawford, as well as communications with marketing and logistics teams. Klaassen said that Crawford’s commitment to working hard has stood out to him thus far.
“Nolen is very dedicated and always proceeds with excellence. That’s going to be a huge addition to the team as we tackle big dreams,” Klaassen said. “I hope he gets a great understanding of the process of growing business verticals while also falling in love with doing business with the purpose of making the world a better place.”
To learn more about NYAJ visit their website nyaj.coffee.