Driven by Craft, Family, and Experience

I'm Jesse, and for over 13 years, I've dedicated myself to the craft of professional coffee and coffee roasting. My passion is straightforward: to serve the perfect cup while building strong communities and instilling values through our family ventures.

My earliest steps in hospitality started right here in Marquette County, with various restaurant jobs and a summer working BOH at the Huron Mountain Club. Then, before heading west, Michelle and I worked for her parents at their local grocery store. That time was invaluable for learning the true meaning of customer service and hard work in a community setting.

My professional journey truly took shape in Park City, Utah, with Bill White Enterprises. My role quickly expanded from busser to overseeing a large, diverse restaurant group—including fine dining, cafés, and bakeries. At its peak, this involved 8 different concepts and over 800 employees during the busy season. That experience taught me critical lessons about leadership, scale, and uncompromising quality.

While in Park City, I launched my first coffee shop, Powder Daze, a lively spot at The Canyons Ski Area that focused on premium coffee and crepes.  It quickly became the local hang out for locals and tourists alike.

We later took that experience to Wyoming. There, we founded and operated several ventures, including Cody Coffee Roaster, The Station, and an airport location with a commissary, and the unique Teardrop Coffee Shop mobile espresso bar.

A few years ago, we returned home to Upper Michigan and opened Provisions MQT in Marquette. It has quickly become a local hub, confirming that great coffee and great community are inseparable.

The Anchor and the Next Generation

I have to credit my wife, Michelle, who has been the absolute anchor for every single one of these ventures, managing everything from bookkeeping to HR while juggling her demanding career.

More recently, our two sons, Alex and Owen, have joined the team and are currently employed at Provisions MQT. We’ve used these businesses as a way to actively instill important values like a strong work ethic, responsibility, and kindness—it’s about building great people as much as great businesses.

The Roast Coach

Today, The Roast Coach Coffee Roaster is the culmination of that entire journey. We operate a state-of-the-art 10 kg roaster from a self-contained commercial kitchen on wheels. This mobility allows us to meticulously perform small-batch roasting, ensuring we deliver an exceptional, fresh, and artisan coffee on our terms.