Burning Bush Coffee
For Scott Lee, founder of Burning Bush Coffee, coffee is more than a beverage—it’s a force for change. His journey into coffee began in Guatemala, where he worked closely with local farmers and communities, witnessing firsthand the challenges they faced. Driven by a deep desire to make a difference, Scott embarked on a mission to use coffee as a vehicle for social, spiritual, and economic transformation.
“When I first stepped into coffee, I knew I had to be part of the whole process,” Scott explains. “I had to own the roasting side as well if we were going to really make a difference.” That realization led to the birth of Burning Bush Coffee and, eventually, to his decision to invest in Bellwether’s roasting technology.
"The Roaster Never Forgets" – Consistent and Remarkable Quality
Scott’s approach to coffee roasting is deeply rooted in quality and precision. He sources coffee from his farm in Guatemala, where high-altitude Bourbon and Pacamara beans flourish, as well as from Bellwether’s Green Coffee Marketplace. “We have at the farm Bourbon, Catuai, Caturra, and we have a little bit of Pacamara too,” Scott shares. From sourcing high-quality green coffee to crafting blends using his Bellwether roasters, Scott’s focus is on delivering an exceptional experience. "Coffee can be very complex, and I love the complexity of our coffees," he shares. "You can taste lemongrass, chocolate, brown sugar, and even pineapple in some roasts. It’s medium bright and perfectly balanced."
For Scott, freshness is a non-negotiable pillar of his business. By roasting in-house with Bellwether, he ensures that every batch is crafted at peak flavor. “The roaster never forgets,” he says, emphasizing Bellwether’s consistency and automation that allows him to replicate the perfect roast every time.“ I’ve found that the folks who create the roast profiles at Bellwether do a great job.” However, he also enjoys customizing his own blends. “I do mix a little bit. Right now I have a Honduras and a Brazil mix and we call it Awaken, and it’s actually one of our hottest sellers,” he shares. “Once I got it measured and dialed in there, and it’s so easy—The roaster never forgets. It’s wonderful!” Whether Scott is using Bellwether’s expertly crafted roast profiles or creating his own blends, his customers know they’re getting a consistent and exceptional cup of coffee with every sip.
Beyond delivering great coffee, Scott has also turned his roastery into a community space. “I do classes on coffee here with different high-end coffee shops in the Wisconsin area,” he shares. “Some of our clients come in, and we do coffee and dessert pairings, and they just love it.” By engaging with the local community through education and events, Scott is fostering a deeper appreciation for quality coffee and the craft behind it.
"We’re Doing Over 500 Pounds a Week" – Scaling Sustainably with Bellwether
With Burning Bush Coffee’s roots in social good, Scott’s approach to economics is just as intentional as his commitment to quality. His decision to invest in Bellwether wasn’t just about creating great coffee—it was a smart business move that allowed him to maintain financial sustainability while expanding his reach. “I had to own the roasting side as well if we were going to really make a difference, so that's where Burning Bush Coffee was born,” he says. “Our very first purchase of a roaster was Bellwether’s Version One. Now we're with the Shop Roaster as well, and they're both running at the same time, and I love it!”
By controlling its own roasting process, Burning Bush Coffee has significantly lowered its operation costs and established strong wholesale partnerships with local coffee shops, donut shops, and other businesses throughout Wisconsin. While Scott hasn’t yet ventured into e-commerce, his roasters are constantly running to meet the growing demand. “We're roasting, we're going. We're selling bags, and bags, and bags,” Scott says, reflecting on the rapid growth of his business. “Just today, I've got 200 pounds going out the door, so you know our roaster is running!” He adds, “We're roasting about 550 pounds a week with Bellwether.”
Looking ahead, Scott is eager to take Burning Bush Coffee to the next level. “For me, the next step is either getting another Shop Roaster, or two and putting them in an actual coffee shop, probably near a local college,” he says. “It would be something simple but specialty-focused, and that speaks to who we are,” he adds, reflecting on his goal to create a space that truly represents the brand’s identity. In addition to local expansion, Scott also sees an opportunity to export coffee to Dubai and Oman, helping to bring high-quality coffee to new markets while creating more opportunities for the coffee-growing communities he partners with.
With Bellwether, Scott has slashed his coffee costs and diversified his revenue streams, adding retail bags, wholesale, and even coffee pairings and educational classes to his offerings. These opportunities allow Scott to dream big while maintaining sustainable growth. He ensures that every dollar spent contributes directly to his business’s expansion and social impact, supporting not just his own operations, but also the farmers and cooperatives that make his coffee possible.
“It’s Been an Easy Process Ever Since the First Roast” – Accessibility Meets Technology
One of the top reasons Scott chose Bellwether? Simplicity. “We got the Shop Roaster around October of 2024, and the installation process was so easy,” he recalls. “The guy who came was such a delight! He walked us through everything.” From the very first roast, the transition was smooth. “The Meridian Blend was the first one they ran through the machine, and it’s just been an easy process ever since.” He also appreciated how straightforward keeping the roaster running efficiently is. “When you're getting ready to put a roast in, especially a 40-pound batch, it even asks you to clean the machine, it’s pretty self-explanatory,“ Scott affirms. “it’s got all of its ducks in order for you not to make mistakes. It’s very user-friendly,” he concludes. From the streamlined installation process to the intuitive automation of roast profiles, Bellwether’s technology has made Burning Bush’s roasting operation efficient and accessible.
The compact, all-electric Bellwether roasters fit seamlessly into Scott’s space, offering flexibility and eliminating barriers like complex ventilation systems. Back on his farm in Guatemala, Scott has a conventional gas roaster, but he was quick to point out all of the benefits of the electric roasters he has in his rustic roastery in Wisconsin. “Here in the US, it's completely different. I wanted something that was applicable to our space—that could even move into a coffee shop. A roaster that you don’t have to worry about the VOCs in the smoke. So that is a huge plus!” He adds, “For what the roaster does, it’s second to none. It’s perfect!”
Automation was huge for Scott and his business. It reduces inaccuracy and simplifies the roasting process, all while preserving the artisan quality his customers love. “Well, you just remove human error out of it,” Scott affirms. It also allows him to focus on innovation—creating custom blends and hosting events that connect the community to coffee—and also on his kids’ future and education. “I wanted to give my kids something to dream about and to be a part of, in both the farm story and also the business side.” The ease of use extends to his own family. “One of my kids, for example, she’s 17, and she comes over here, loads the roaster, hits the buttons, and watches Netflix,” he laughs. “It’s simple, and that’s the user-friendliness of it.” Having judged for the Brewers Cup and seen multiple roasters, Scott is confident in his choice. “I have seen a lot of different machines, and I’m not just saying it to say it, but there’s nothing comparable to the Bellwether,” he concludes.
“Reducing VOCs and Carbon Footprint Were Huge Reasons We Chose Bellwether” - Sustainability Efforts
Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword for Scott; it’s a cornerstone of his business and life–from his farm in Guatemala to his roasting practices in Wisconsin. “Saving the environment is very big to us there. For every tree we take, we plant another,” he says, emphasizing the reforestation efforts on his Guatemalan farm. Bellwether’s electric, ventless roasters align perfectly with Scott’s eco-conscious values. “Reducing VOCs and minimizing our carbon footprint were huge reasons we chose Bellwether,” he notes. “We’re really healthy folks around here. It’s important that we reduce VOCs.”
By roasting on Bellwether’s roasters, Scott significantly reduces his carbon footprint and supports programs like Living Income Pricing and women-owned farms, while also ethically sourcing through Bellwether’s Green Coffee Marketplace. “Right now, I’ve got Manos de Mujer going in one roaster, and the Kenyan Mandela Estate in the other,” he says, highlighting his dedication to sustainable coffee sourcing and ensuring ethical practices are upheld throughout the supply chain.
In Guatemala, Scott has taken sustainability a step further by directly supporting the local community. “I bought a coffee farm and started building homes for abused women there. We now have a women’s center where 250 to 300 clients a month come through,” he shares. Burning Bush Coffee isn’t just about great coffee—it’s about creating a lasting impact. As Scott puts it, "The proceeds from our sales go back to the farm and into the lives of the women and families we support. This journey began with coffee, and it’s still growing with coffee."
A Passion for Coffee, A Mission for Impact
Scott’s story is a testament to the transformative power of coffee. From his beginnings in Guatemala to his thriving business in Wisconsin, he’s used coffee as a tool for connection and change.
With Bellwether by his side, Scott has built a business rooted in quality, sustainability, and community impact. “Coffee can change lives,” he says. And at Burning Bush Coffee, it’s clear that every roast tells a story of hope, resilience, and possibility.
