For Darin Shireman, the majority of the past two decades have been defined by his various roles in the coffee industry.
The Platteville, Wis., resident started in the industry in 2003 in a small coffee shop before moving south and spending multiple years working for a large chain. In 2010, he returned to the tri-state area and began running Badger Bros. Coffee, a shop that remains in operation to this day.
In the past couple of years, however, Shireman had an epiphany that would shape the trajectory of his career.
“I decided recently that what I really wanted to do was pursue the roasting side much more intentionally,” he said.
Shireman recently sold Badger Bros. coffee and committed to his roastery full time. He now operates the roasting facility — dubbed Wayfarer Coffee — on Cedar Cross Court in Dubuque.
He said there are two motivating factors…
