Human Dream
Exilior, founded by Francis Kungu and Maya, is a coffee company dedicated to uplifting Kenyan rural communities through direct partnerships with local farmers. Their mission combines sustainable practices with fair trade, ensuring the highest quality coffee while making a meaningful social impact. Embodying the Human and American Dream from a Kenyan perspective, Exilior's journey, marked by resilience and passion, aims to transform lives and redefine coffee consumption with purpose and integrity.
Pursuing the Human Dream
A Kenyan Perspective
At the heart of Exilior lies an unwavering dedication to building a business that improves lives. After all, where else can you thrive if not among family and friends? Francis’ vision was fueled by a deep desire to make a tangible difference within a community he held dear. From a young age, Francis always aspired to work in agriculture. Guided by his passion, he embarked on a journey to weave a tale of success rooted in Kenya’s indigenous coffee, steeped in the authentic essence of his homeland.
“I wanted to tell a Kenyan story from a Kenyan perspective while solving a Kenyan problem through a Kenyan solution.”
Since the birth of Exilior, the mission has been clear: to forge direct partnerships with Kenyan coffee farmers. Prior to the inception of Exilior, Francis facilitated the direct importation of Kenyan coffee, establishing a seamless connection between these hardworking farmers and coffee roasters. Without intermediaries, Exilior proudly imports these exquisite products through their importing entity, Jamii Coffee, fostering a bond of trust and integrity that runs deep within the community.
The Foundation of Exilior Coffee
How Exilior Was Born
The idea of founding a coffee roasting company was purely coincidental. In October of 2019, Jamii Coffee found itself in the running for the prestigious Oregon Entrepreneur Network (OEN) Game Changer Award. Although Jamii Coffee didn’t make it as a finalist, a dinner invitation was graciously extended for the gala finals. Seated at the table alongside Market of Choice’s director of merchandise, John Boyle, fate intervened.
Encouraged by a gentle nudge from Francis’ wife, Maya, Francis seized the moment to present his impromptu pitch for roasted coffee. With conviction, he articulated, “I work directly with Kenyan coffee farmers and directly import their coffee. If I roast this coffee, would you be willing to have it on your shelves?” To his surprise, Boyle said yes. It was at this moment that Exilior came to be.
Establishing a Brand
During a Pandemic
The journey was not without hurdles. In the early stages, Exilior lacked the adornments of branding; all that was possessed were the beans and a modest two-person team. The onset of social and business restrictions posed further obstacles, severing much of their ability to engage with customers face-to-face. This hindered their ability to interact with customers as it prevented the offering of samples and the ability to connect in a more organic, natural way. Additionally, despite Kenyan coffee’s excellent reputation in the specialty coffee market, most mainstream coffee consumers were unfamiliar with single-origin Kenyan coffee. Exilior also stood as a fresh-faced brand, unknown to many, championing a pioneering narrative: premium cause-oriented coffee with an unwavering commitment to impact-driven business practices. In a sea of familiar names, Exilior embarked on a journey to redefine the very essence of coffee consumption, infusing each cup with purpose and meaning.
“Failure is learning; success is what you define it to be.”
In the face of adversity, Exilior persevered. Francis and Maya forged ahead, driven by the belief that failure is but a stepping stone to success. Each setback became an opportunity for growth; a chance to redefine the narrative. Fortunately, the journey was not made alone, as they had the support of friends, family, and many connections that were built over the years. Bolstered by unwavering support and the network they had diligently cultivated, Exilior evolved to encompass both the importation and roasting of Kenyan coffee. Today, Exilior's journey stands as a testament to resilience, embodying the transformative power of passion and perseverance.
Success can be different from person to person. At Exilior, the definition of success is straightforward: If we could help one person do better in life, we would have achieved success.
Exilior Coffee Guidance
Our Two Pillars
At the core of our mission lie two pillars: social impact and empowerment. These values drive every aspect of our strategy, guiding us to improve lives both as coffee importers and roasters. We prioritize streamlining our supply chain, minimizing intermediaries to ensure maximum returns for our producers while providing our customers with transparent, premium products at fairly traded prices—all the while championing social causes close to our hearts.
Moreover, we recognize the importance of knowledge sharing, empowering our farmers with insights into market trends and techniques for producing high-quality coffee that is sustainable from farm to cup. By steadfastly adhering to these principles, we not only deliver tangible benefits to our customers, producers, and communities but also embody the transformative potential of socially conscious business practices.
Authentically Kenyan
What Drives Success
One of our first opportunities to define success came while exploring ways to give back to our communities. We discovered the KICE education foundation which was struggling with their scholarship program due to the pandemic's impact. We were moved to extend a helping hand and support their cause. Upon receiving a list of five bright and deserving young women, each facing significant challenges, we found it difficult to choose just one. Driven by our commitment to make a meaningful difference, we reached out to our network of friends, ultimately ensuring that all five received full sponsorship throughout their high school journey.
We saw that as just the beginning. Each success empowers our ability to improve lives in the communities where we live and work. Moreover, we want to invite others to join us on our mission. As Exilior grows so does the reach of our positive impact. By employing creativity, collaboration, and unwavering passion, we know we can continue to be a force for good. That is success to us, Do Good – Do Well.
