We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ngan Tran a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Ngan, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
As the Director of Coffee at Peaks Coffee Co., I’ve learned to embrace risk in ways I never expected. Stepping into a multifaceted role, I’ve had to balance being a coffee educator, an experimental coffee analyst, and a green coffee buyer all at once. This has pushed me to take risks by testing various brewing methods, sourcing unique beans, and developing new ways to engage our community. A major part of my role now is taking point on building meaningful and lasting relationships with other local businesses, which has become crucial to our growth. I’ve planned and executed a variety of events this past year, learning valuable lessons from each one. Each decision requires a willingness to fail forward by experimenting with new ideas and approaches, while always learning and evolving. This role has not only expanded my professional capacity but has also deepened my appreciation for the risks that drive the coffee industry.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Hey there! I’m a proud Bay Area native who made the big jump to Syracuse, NY in 2021. I’ve been immersed in the coffee world since 2013, working my way up from barista to my current role as Director of Coffee at Peaks Coffee Co. Along the way, I’ve developed a deep love for community based work. Coffee has allowed me to connect with incredible people from all walks of life. What starts as serving a cup of coffee often evolves into lasting friendships with regulars. At Peaks, I’m all about leaving people better than we found them, using coffee as a catalyst to spark those meaningful connections. Whether you’re a future client, follower, or friend, know that my work is rooted in creating positive impact, one bean at a time.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
Society can better support artists, creatives, and a vibrant creative ecosystem by fostering collaboration. When we work together, incredible ideas are born!
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
There was a time in my early 20s when I found myself couch surfing with nowhere else to turn. I’d been kicked out, left with no phone, no car, just a backpack stuffed with clothes and some snacks. The night felt endless, but I had one goal in mind: to make it to my ex-girlfriend’s place in downtown San Jose.
It was a long walk, roughly three hours. If you know San Jose, Monterey Rd. isn’t exactly the safest path to take alone in the dead of night. Especially as a young, petite woman. But it was a route I’d taken countless times. So, I kept moving.
The street was quiet, but not enough to make me feel at ease. I picked up a large tree branch, and while it was a makeshift walking stick, it also became my form of “protection”.
By the time I reached my ex’s apartment complex, I was exhausted. Unfortunately, the call box was broken, and there was no way to reach her. So, I took a risk and slept on the street, just in front of her building. A neighbor eventually recognized me and let me into the complex.
Looking back, I’m surprised I even made it that far. There were bumps along the way, some pretty sketchy moments, but I never stopped moving forward. There was something in me that refused to give up. That night was a test of willpower and a marker to show myself how far I’ve come.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.peakscoffeeco.com
- Instagram: nganiepoo
