Meet Joshua Knight | Entrepreneur, Baker, Chef, Barista, Pit Master, Artist, Creative

We had the good fortune of connecting with Joshua Knight and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joshua, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Ive always worked for my self. My love for entrupunership started when I was 14. I signed up for Entrepunershiop class at Wilson High School in Long Beach CA. After taking the class I knew I was meant to start my own business. I got a job with Burger King in Seal beach, Worked the drive through for 6 months, saved, quit and started glassing surfboards because surfing was my real passion. From there I saved money & opened the Glass Factory inside LEGEND SURFBOARDS (sold in 2002). From that day on I knew I couldn’t work for anyone else. I needed the freedom to create, I wasn’t the type to be told not or I can’t. From then on Its been a wild ride: I have a bachelors Degree from CSUDH, Licensed Barber, Custom Lowrider bikes from FMB & VCB (Long Story), 77 Merchandise Group, Attention 2 Detail, Quarter Lane Barbershop, Coffee Parlor, Smugglers Port BBQ and soon COPA Bakery.

When I set out to open Coffee Parlor AKA COPA. I wanted to take what was a hobby and passion and open a shop. As a surfer and a lover of the morning time I was tired of going to 3 shops to get what I needed. I would go to get a coffee from one shop, head over to my favorite bakery for a pastry and then fish at a 3rd spot for breakfast it self. Why couldn’t I get all in one stop. Also how come my favorite spots consistently have employees who have bad attitudes and don’t know what service it. So I made it my mission to change what a coffee shop was and could be.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Coffee Parlor is changing the way people think about coffee shops. We’re also training the next Baristas to enter the market place. What sets us apart from others is why were do what we do. We are a Baker, Chef, Barista driven concept. We can do it all, We don’t source it out. We do things the only way we know how to, from scratch made with love and passion. We don’t look at ease as a qualifier. We look a quality and build the customer what we want to eat and hope they enjoy it.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Entertaining is what I love to do. It’s why I love the service industry.

Always start the morning with a coffee from Colossus Breads new location on 2nd street they open at 6am and everything they do is good.
My shop is off the coast pout of the way and doesn’t open until 7am so its not an option for early surfing.
Longboard Bolsa Chicka state beach with our friends.
When done head to Gusto Bread for Pastel de Atole and hot coffee Before heading to where ever AGL’S Craft Meats is doing a popup, usually somewhere in the LA area for lunch. I fu*king love BBQ and here a local Guy holding it down. His whole menu is good. We would stay local and head to Panxa Cocina here in Long Beach for an amazing Dinner and great drinks with friends. There is so much to do locally its amazing.

Also I do this regularly. For fun I love to eat great food, drink great coffee & surf.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First off and foremost my Buesiness/life Mentor/business partner James Marland

Woody Lovell Of the Barbershop Club

Barber Mentor- John Mosley AKA Popular Nobody Paul Mitchell Artistic Director

Baking mentor Arturo Enciso from, Gusto Bread Long Beach

Chef Mentor Enriques Of Enriques Long Beach

Chef Mentor Arthur Gonzalez of Panxa Cocina Long Beach and Tribe at river walk of Castle rock Colorado

Chef Noah Schneider of Seed 2 Seat, COPA, Smugglers Port BBQ

David Yardly Of Moon Goat Coffee

Mason Brown Of Church of Clocky

I have way to many books I am always digging into. that would be an article in its self

Website: www.coffeeparlorlb.com

Instagram: @coffeeparlorlb