Launching a coffee company during a pandemic was never part of Jessica Taylor’s original path. She was simply sharing something she loved with friends and neighbors in North Texas: coffee spiked with Cognac, poured at her annual MLK Day parties supporting local Black-owned businesses.
When a guest tasted her coffee and said, “You should sell this,” Taylor laughed. “Girl, the Lord didn’t tell you to give me another job,” she remembers saying. But something stuck with her. Her sister, who’s allergic to most creamers, loved the custom-roasted beans that didn’t need milk. And when her sister said, “You should think about this,” Taylor decided to listen.
This fall, she’ll share the hard-earned lessons from her entrepreneurial journey as a panelist at North Texas’ most powerful women’s leadership event: Local Profile’s 24th annual Women in Business Summit, presented by Bank of America, on Sept. 12. For Summit details, tickets and sponsor opportunities, visit localprofile.com/womeninbusiness.
A Pandemic Idea With A Purpose
In early 2021, Taylor began roasting and flavoring beans in her kitchen — partly out of curiosity, partly out of love for her family. She posted a countdown on Facebook: “I’m dropping something hot. Get ready.”
Within weeks of launching Ezra Coffee, a friend forwarded her brand to a contact at Target. By June, she was accepted into Target’s accelerator program.
“I had to level up — fast,” she says. “What started as a side hustle was clearly turning into something much bigger.”
Intuition, Strategy And A Name With Meaning
The name Ezra wasn’t chosen lightly. After a blend of coincidences, scripture and even a dream, she landed on it: Ezra means “he who helps” in Hebrew.
“It’s biblical, short, easy to remember and aligned with our mission to help and uplift others,” Taylor says.
From the start, she wanted every cup of Ezra to represent more than flavor. Today, the brand provides need based scholarships for college students, with financial holds on their account.
Taylor’s path to entrepreneurship didn’t start in coffee. She built a career in marketing, education and policy, advocating for equitable systems and connecting diverse talent to opportunities. From leading institutional efforts to build more inclusive and equitable campuses to shaping multicultural strategy at Toyota, she’s built her career on recognizing the gaps and closing them with intention and impact.
“I’m a connector,” she says. “I need to know how things come together — and if something’s not working, I want to know why and how to fix it and ensure that the right people are at the table.”
The Reality Of Doing It All
Building a purpose-driven business hasn’t come without struggle.
In the early days, she answered every phone call and email. She never set boundaries, and she paid the price. “I gained weight. I developed high blood pressure, I was slowly burning out. You don’t realize it until your skinny jeans aren’t skinny anymore,” she says.
Today, Jessica prioritizes stillness, gratitude and joy. She starts each morning with prayer and a cup of coffee on her patio. “As the old folks would say, I sit outside and I let the Lord breathe on me. It grounds me and allows me to prepare for my day” she says. At night, she winds down with a gratitude ritual: a group text with close friends, each sharing one thing they’re thankful for.
“You can’t wake up in a fire and then try to put one out,” she says. “You’ll just bring more fuel.”
As a founder, Taylor has also redefined what it means to lead. “Trying to do everything yourself is the biggest mistake most founders make,” she says.
I am not an expert in all things, but many of these things are necessary to the growth of my business. Therefore, I follow the 80/20 rule: “If someone can do 80% of the job, let them. Don’t just train them — trust them and give them space to grow into the rest.” For the hardest decisions, she draws on her grandmother’s wisdom: “ You have to make a choice between an acute pain and long-term injury. So you will need to deal with the hard things now so they don’t grow into bigger ones later.”
What Comes Next?
When asked if she’s ever thought of quitting, Taylor doesn’t hesitate. “Not quitting, but on the really hard days I do sometimes ask, ‘Is this worth it?’” Her answer always comes back to impact.
“Ezra isn’t just about coffee. It’s about representation, empowerment, equity. That’s what keeps me going.”
While she isn’t sure if she’ll sell Ezra one day, she’s already thinking strategically about what's next.
For now, she’s focused on growth, storytelling and making sure every bag of Ezra Coffee is a reminder that big dreams can start small, sometimes right at home, around a kitchen table in North Texas.
Hear More From Taylor at Local Profile’s Women in Business Summit
Taylor will share her story and transformative insights as a panelist at North Texas’ most anticipated women’s event: Local Profile’s 24th annual Women in Business Summit, presented by Bank of America.
Join 500 of North Texas’ most influential women on Sept. 12 for a day of powerful conversations, high-impact networking and stories that will inspire you to trust your own path.
Tickets are on sale now and they won’t last long. Get your tickets and all event details at localprofile.com/womeninbusiness.
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