Blackjack Coffee Roasters: Bringing Specialty Coffee and Pirate Passion to Gainesville
During this North Georgia Business Radio segment, host Phil Bonelli welcomed the energetic duo behind Blackjack Coffee Roasters — Will Edwards and Julie Gossett — for a caffeinated conversation packed with business insights, origin stories, and the aroma of specialty-grade coffee.
Will Edwards, already a veteran entrepreneur with 20 years of experience running “We Clean,” stumbled into the coffee business while servicing commercial buildings. One day, a client asked him if he could provide coffee for a 300-person office. He didn’t know how—but he said yes. That “yes” kicked off a whirlwind journey of learning, persistence, and eventually, the creation of Blackjack Coffee Roasters.
Julie Gossett joined the venture with a background in farming and small-scale production, bringing precision and passion to the roasting process. As a member of the Specialty Coffee Association of America, Julie ensures that every bean is treated with care, from sourcing to roasting. Blackjack proudly roasts Grade 1 specialty coffee — the highest quality in the industry — and their attention to detail shows in every cup.
Phil, a self-proclaimed coffee aficionado, raved about their hazelnut toffee iced latte, describing it as “delightful” and “not too sweet,” and praised their cold brew for its smooth, rich kick. Julie broke down coffee science for listeners, explaining how roast levels affect caffeine content and flavor profiles, and walked us through the magic behind blends like “Blackbeard’s Brew” and “Anne Bonny’s House Blend.”
With a pirate-inspired brand and names like Blackbeard and Anne Bonny attached to their roasts, Blackjack Coffee is about more than just taste—it’s about storytelling. Julie and Will have tied the treasure-hunting spirit of pirates to the global journey of coffee, sourcing beans from places like Sumatra, Ethiopia, and Peru, all with distinctive flavor profiles and ethical traceability.
But they’re not just about pirates and great coffee—they’re serious about business too. Blackjack Coffee is now available online at blackjackcoffee.net, in select Gainesville shops like Greens Grocery, Thrive, and even at Mellow Mushroom. They also serve corporate clients with breakroom delivery, helping companies keep employees happy, alert, and energized.
Whether you’re a business looking for premium breakroom coffee or a consumer seeking better beans for home brewing, Blackjack Coffee Roasters has your back. Their commitment to freshness, flavor, and local roots makes them a true North Georgia gem.
Want to energize your office or taste coffee worth walking the plank for? Visit blackjackcoffee.net or stop by their booth at Mule Camp to sample the brews. You’ll be hooked!
Connect with the Blackjack Coffee Roasters team:
https://www.instagram.com/blackjackcoffeeGVL
Connect with Phil Bonelli:
https://www.facebook.com/Hopewell-Farms-GA-105614501707618/
https://www.instagram.com/hopewellfarmsga/
https://www.hopewellfarmsga.com/
Connect with Beau Henderson:
https://www.facebook.com/RichLifeAdvisors
https://www.facebook.com/NorthGARadioX
This Segment Is Brought To You By Our Amazing Sponsors
Hopewell Farms GA
Roundtable Advisors
RichLife Advisors
Cadence Bank
Highlights of the Show:
00:30 – 01:22
Phil introduces Blackjack Coffee and their pirate-inspired brews. Will Edwards and Julie Gossett join the show.
02:10 – 03:04
Will shares how his cleaning business led to his first big coffee opportunity — a 300-person office asking him to supply coffee.
04:01 – 04:43
Will describes the hustle of learning the coffee business, visiting roasters, and convincing one to give him a chance.
07:37 – 08:30
Julie explains what makes Blackjack special: Specialty-grade beans, precision roasting, and SCAA membership.
10:38 – 11:53
Julie dives into roasting science—how roast levels affect caffeine and flavor, and what the “first crack” means.
13:05 – 14:00
Phil shares how quitting K-cups improved his health and urges businesses to choose Blackjack for breakroom coffee.
17:03 – 18:35
Will shares how Julie’s past egg business made her the perfect partner—attention to detail and strong marketing.
24:49 – 26:41
Julie discusses how bean origin affects flavor profiles, highlighting regions like Kenya, Guatemala, and Sumatra.
30:46 – 31:48
The origin of the pirate theme—coffee is treasure brought from far-off lands. Each roast tells a pirate’s story.
36:18 – 37:11
Julie and Will share their future goals—expanding nationally while maintaining local quality and integrity.
38:10 – 38:55
Perfect holiday gift idea: A holiday box of premium Blackjack coffee for clients, employees, or loved ones.
