Alumni Spotlight: GSDM Alum’s Family Business Serves Up Ethically Sourced Coffee and Autism-Friendly Work Environments
Malekshah Oskoui DMD 98 ENDO 01 is striving to help those on the autism spectrum–one cup of ethically sourced coffee at a time.
In 2024, Oskoui, along with his wife Mehrnoosh, founded Epic Roastery Coffee Company, a small family business in Appleton, Wisconsin, that roasts high-quality ethically-source coffee. But the company’s mission is much bigger than great coffee, Oskoui said.
At Epic Roastery, Oskoui and his wife want to foster a professional environment where individuals on the autism spectrum–including Oskoui’s youngest son–can thrive and contribute to a local business in a mutually beneficial way.
Epic Roastery is currently in the early stages of developing a program for individuals on the autism spectrum to receive job training and hands-on experience. Epic Roastery also contributes a portion of the proceeds to initiatives that directly support those on the autism spectrum for every bag of specialty roasted coffee they sell.
“We wanted to make sure that we can provide a place where everyone, regardless of their background or abilities, feels welcome and supported,” said Oskoui, who has seen firsthand individuals on the autism spectrum struggling with employment opportunities. “We are trying to build a community, not just a company. It’s a business that’s about connecting with others and giving back while offering something that is genuinely we are proud of.”
Family is the heartbeat of Epic Roastery. In addition to being a co-founder, Oskoui acts as the operations manager, making sure everything runs smoothly on a day-to-day basis. His youngest son serves as Epic Roastery’s fulfillment manager. His oldest son, Sam, is currently a senior at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and helps out at Epic Roastery during his school breaks. Oskoui said it’s been amazing watching his family come together to support the business.
“There’s something about working as a family that makes the whole process more meaningful. It brings us closer together and it gives us a sense of purpose that goes beyond making roasted coffee beans,” Oskoui said. “At the end of the day, we are creating a legacy together. There’s a unique kind of pride in knowing that we are doing something that we have, or we will have any impact, not just on our family, but on others too.”
Epic Roastery’s coffee will never be mass produced nor cut any corners. Oskoui said it’s vital that the coffee is ethically sourced, meaning the coffee beans are acquired in a way that is safe for both the farmers and the local ecosystem where the coffee is produced. To do so, he works closely with importers who have established strong relationships with coffee farmers who use sustainable practices and are compensated fairly.
“We want our coffee to stand out, and we believe in the importance of doing it the right way,” Oskoui said. “Ethical sourcing is not just a buzzword; it’s a core part of our values. From the farmers to the end customer, we want to make sure that everyone in the supply chain is treated fairly and with respect.”
Oskoui added that he is balancing his responsibilities at Epic Roastery with practicing as an endodontist. Both dentistry and owning a coffee roasting business require the same levels of passion, precision, and purpose, he said
“Balancing both of these businesses sometimes can be tricky but I’ve learned to prioritize and manage my time effectively,” Oskoui said. “My experience in healthcare [with] management and running my own dental practices in the past has really helped me a lot with managing this small business.”
Interested patrons can buy Epic Roastery coffee online through the company’s website (www.epicroastery.com). The team is in the process of getting their coffee into local Wisconsin specialty coffee shops, restaurants, and farmers’ markets.
“We want to make sure that whether you are near or far, you can always experience the quality of our coffee that we roast,” Oskoui said.
In the few months that Epic Roastery has been opened, Oskoui said the community response has been overwhelmingly optimistic.
“It’s been amazing to see the positive response we’ve gotten from both customers and our community,” Oskoui said. “It’s been a learning process for sure, but we are grateful for the journey. We’ve seen how blending love for coffee with our mission has resonated with people as we grow.”
Epic Roastery is focused on growth. As the business expands, Oskoui said the team hopes to move into a larger commercial space that would allow them to hire more staff.
“We are using our business platform to make a difference in people’s lives,” Oskoui said. “That’s the most important thing to join us in this journey. By supporting us at Epic Roastery, it is not just about buying coffee. It’s about being part of something bigger that’s helping us to create lasting change in the community together.”
For more information on Epic Roastery Coffee Company, visit their website (www.epicroastery.com) or Instagram page (https://www.instagram.com/epic_roastery/).