Meet Christopher Yerikian | Co-Owner Surje Coffee Co. & Actor

One of the things my girlfriend and I bonded over early on was our love for coffee. On one of our first dates we shared with each other some of our goals and a coffee shop was on each of our lists. Fast forward a few years and we “randomly” decided to start a coffee company together. A lot of what we envisioned for a business started with us looking at our own likes and experiances. I guess you could say we were our own first customers. So everything we did in starting the business really came from things we love and enjoy. That’s where the process starts. If it’s something we like, we enjoy, we ourselves would pay For and want to experience, then that’s the direction we went in.

I started out how a lot of people do. Went to college, got a degree, and worked in corporate America. College was tough for me, took about 10 years to get my Bachelor’s. I never wanted to give up though, I recognized it was harder for me and I just always said slowly but surly. By trade I work in Environmental Health & Occupational Safety. I really enjoy the field and the people in it. I always had a framework in my mind for my career that looked something like this 1. Have a degree and a career you love. For me, I love what I’m good at. I found out early with a lot of jobs I had; the better I got at my job, the more I enjoyed it. 2. Own a business. I tried a few types of industries, some worked well, some didn’t, but I always kept dipping my toes into entrepreneurship whether it was solo or with a partner. Eventually after a few trial and errors, coffee became the one. I’m now co-owner of Surje Coffee Co. and it’s been amazing building and growing this business that creates memorable experiences in an environment that welcomes all people. 3. Dabble in your artistic passions. I guess you can say Safety is what I do, coffee is what I love, and actor is who I am. On and off throughout my entire life I’ve dabbled in acting and I just finished starring in my first feature film, Kade. It’s not easy navigating it all, but having all three is definitely what gives me the most fulfillment.

OHHHHHHH my goodness ^__^ I’m a huge foodie so everything we do is going to be determined based on where we are eating and drinking. I hope you’re hungry best friends! Morning Glory, Genteel Coffee, Civico 1845, The Neighborhood, Common Stock, Cesarina, Kindred, The Taco Stand… Seriously though I could write an entire list of places to eat and drink in SD. We’d definitely spend some time by the water. Dog beach in OB, paddle boarding out of Liberty Station. Jet Skiing. North Park, Balboa Park, all the parks! Honestly just by them reading this I’m preparing for a call for them to come visit lol.

My girlfriend Valeire is my ride and die, my better half, and my business partner. She’s been a key pillar in my life these last 5 years and I would definitely not be where I am today without her. My family has always been supportive in everything I did, super grateful for them! Special shoutout to my best friends Mark & Dannielle. We’ve been friends since Kindergarten and they inspire me with everything they do and with how they cary themselves as amazing human beings.