OUT WITH COMPO COFFEE AND IN WITH POLISHED BEAN
Success for ‘Supporting the Unsung Hero’s veteran entrepreneur as Tactical Coffee Shop Opens
Veteran entrepreneur, Darren Gray of the Tactical Coffee Company has today (15th June 2021) opened the doors to his first Tactical Coffee shop. Located within inRANGE, the West Midlands based interactive shooting range, Tactical Coffee offers customers a coffee experience with a difference.
The difference is Army Veteran, Darren Gray. As a true entrepreneur Darren has turned his passion or arguably ‘obsession’ for premium coffee into a thriving, award winning business. The former Royal Artillery soldier understands first-hand the pleasure of drinking ‘good’ coffee made from fine, specially selected beans having had one too many cups of guard room ‘compo’ coffee on military operations during his 20 years’ service. Darren’s knowledge and expertise is the taste difference in every cup. Since2015, he has made it his personal mission to become the coffee expert, studying the history and origins of the bean and perfecting the perfect blend. On Darren’s quest for perfection, he teamed up with a veteran owned, specialist roasting company adept in the use of traditional roasting methods. The partnership enables them to create unique blends only sold through the Tactical Coffee Company, including popular products with names true to Darren’s military roots Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Ugly Five Zero, Tactical Advantage, Sergeant Alker and Decaf Coffee blend 'Fortitude’ to name a few.
As a self-taught expert in all thing’s coffee, Darren is also acutely aware that running a business is complex requiring time, dedication and the ability to wear several different hats as a company owner. In 2019 he joined the coveted Supporting the Unsung Hero, FREE business start-up training and mentoring programme, specifically developed for members of the Armed Forces community.
“Having owned a chain of shops and considering myself an entrepreneur, I was sceptical about what I would learn on the‘ Supporting the Unsung Hero Programme’. However, I found the course extremely useful, having not had any prior business training the instructors opened my eyes to new ways of working. I learned so much and met and made many friends and connections who continue to support one another, veteran, military spouse we are a unique and diverse business community.’
Supporting the Unsung Hero (SUH) is so much more than a training course, its delegate network is comprised completely of entrepreneurs from the Armed Forces Community. Now in its eighth year, this FREE business training programme delivered in person at MOD bases throughout the UK and overseas and online has been in high demand from Armed Forces Families, Veteran’s and Reservist’s to help them realise their ambition to start-up and develop a business. SUH comprises four stages starting with stage one an introduction to business start -up followed by stage two a four-day business start-up training course, leading to stage three ten months business mentoring.
“I am delighted to see Darren realise his dream and open his first coffee shop in support of his already thriving coffee business. Darren is a hardworking and passionate individual who has taken a personal interest and made a sustainable and profitable business. Darren’s dedication to learning enables him to continue to adapt to change and grow a business during the most difficult of times, the resilience shown by Darren and other members of the SUH community is commendable. I and the rest of SUH team wish Darren the very best of success with his new venture and we are looking forward to sampling the ‘perfect cup of coffee’ at our next mentoring session.’
If you are considering starting up in business, have a passion or an idea and wish to learn more about self-employment register your interest and join a unique and friendly business community.
For more information and to book your place on the ‘Supporting the Unsung Hero Business Start-Up Programme’ visit WWW.SUPPORTINGTHEUNSUNGHERO.CO.UK
Email: INFO@SUPPORTINGTHEUNSUNGHERO.CO.UK
Notes to editors:
Tactical Coffee Shop Open: INRANGE 15th June 2021.
inRANGE UK, Unit 36 Doulton Trading Centre, Doulton Trading Estate, Doulton Road, Rowley Regis, West Midlands. B65 8JQ
(5 minutes from Junction 2 of the M5)
The on-site coffee shop is operated by Tactical Coffee and offers inRANGE customers a huge selection of hot and cold drinks, snacks and weekly specials and of course our coffee is incredible, made and served with an obvious passion.
Tactical Coffees coffee shop provides sustainably sourced, uniquely roasted coffee and refreshments in a welcoming environment and customers lounge, a place to relax, take a break and catch up with friends (Covid secure).
Leather sofas and chairs, plenty of seating and tables, funky retro décor, a pool table and darts, and a huge TV streaming live feeds from on-site activities.
The Tactical Coffee Company only use the finest, specially selected, washed and polished coffee beans in our coffee blends. All coffees are traceable, Rainforest Alliance and Fair-trade certified.
For more information contact:
Darren Gray
Tactical Coffee
Email: CONTACT@TACTICALCOFFEE.CO.UK
Web: WWW.TACTICALCOFFEE.CO.UK
