We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Stephen Szortyka. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Stephen below.

Stephen, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So, one thing many business owners consider is donating a percentage of sales or profits to an organization or cause. We’d love to hear your thoughts and the story behind how and why you chose the cause or organization you donate to.

Prominent Coffee Co., Buffalo’s newest hub for coffee enthusiasts, is excited to announce its partnership with Hope Rises “Shine Gold” event, a charitable initiative dedicated to enhancing the lives of children facing the challenge of pediatric cancer. Throughout the month of September, Prominent Coffee Co. will donate $1 from every coffee sold to Shine Gold in support of their remarkable endeavors.

At Prominent Coffee Co., community lies at the heart of everything we do. As we continue our tradition of crafting exceptional coffee experiences, we are thrilled to stand alongside Shine Gold in making a significant impact on the lives of children in need. Our commitment to quality and community engagement has led us to join forces with Shine Gold during Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month.

Shine Gold’s ongoing efforts are set to elevate their impact with an exciting fundraising component. The highlight of their campaign is the “Cocktails, Desserts and Fireworks” celebration, which will take place in Buffalo NY.

“Our partnership with Shine Gold is a natural extension of our core values, as we love supporting and doing our little part to enhance the lives of children,” said Steve Szortyka, Owner of Prominent Coffee Co. “We are dedicated to not only serving exceptional coffee but also creating positive change in the community. By donating a portion of our proceeds to Shine Gold, we hope to contribute to their incredible work and make a real difference.”

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?

Prominent Coffee Co. is a passion project brought to life by Stephen Szortyka. Initially, Steve, the owner of StandOut Marketing, leased the space as a marketing office. However, when the world was thrown into disarray in 2020, remote work became the norm, rendering the StandOut office obsolete. Fast forward to the fall of 2021, months of collaboration, brainstorming and meeting with countless contractors and town inspectors, he realized that transforming the space into a coffee shop would be an exciting and fulfilling endeavor.

“Our focus has always been on delivering exceptional quality and personal touches, and we are confident that you will feel the same joy and passion from the moment you step through our doors.”

So why did we choose the name “Prominent”? We wanted our name to reflect our aspirations for the coffee shop—a place that stands out (yes, that was intentional as well) in the saturated coffee market by offering something distinctive and extraordinary. Every cup of coffee and every visit to our shop should be an unforgettable experience, leaving a lasting impression on your palate and in your heart.

We prioritize ethically sourced beans, offer a unique coffee blend exclusive to Prominent, present a diverse menu, and provide an inviting space for you to work, hang out with friends, conduct business meetings & more! Our goal is to become the Prominent coffee choice in your life, delivering excellence at every sip.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

Surprisingly enough, my journey with StandOut Marketing commenced with no more than a laptop and a dream. It took several years of persistent hard work and consistent growth to reach a level that was conducive to expansion, paving the way for the funding required to establish and launch Prominent Coffee Co.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

We knew that opening a brand new business, selling a tangible product, in a new market, Social Media was going to be our #1 driver for new business. We focused on our brand and its reputation from day one. Hosting friends and family events to help drive a positive brand exposure before being open to the public. Holding these small VIP events helped drive a viral experience with pictures being posted of both the product and the atmosphere. We also high encouraged reviews of their experience which helped drive our organic public reputation.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://prominentcoffeeco.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prominentcoffeeco/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Prominentcoffee