Teen CEO Finds Blend Between School and Coffee Business

(NewsUSA) - On his lunch hour, Tyler Ornstein makes business calls on his cell phone, coordinates with potential associates and otherwise runs the company for which he serves as the chief executive officer. It's the life of a typical businessman, right? Sure, but Ornstein is only 16 years old.

Currently a high school junior living in Tucson, Ariz., Ornstein started selling coffee at the age of 13. His father, Ian Ornstein, had several friends who imported a uniquely processed roast from South America, and Tyler took the initiative to sell samples of the coffee on his own, bicycling around his neighborhood and taking orders with a pad of paper and a pen. Ornstein and his father partnered with an Arizona-based roaster and the teen has presided over the resulting company, Tyler's Coffee, ever since.

"Balancing school and work is difficult," said Ornstein, "but learning to do it successfully prepares me for the real world, where balance between all aspects of life is important for success and happiness."

Ornstein says that the production process of his coffee is what makes it unique: a computerized "Z-roasting" process in which Arabica coffee beans are roasted individually rather than cooked as a group, producing an acid-free result that also retains the highest natural levels of caffeine, according to Ornstein. The coffee is then vacuum-sealed in 2-ounce packets, both for convenience and to maintain freshness.

Ornstein usually spends about three to six hours per day running his business, depending on his schedule. He goes to school with coffee in his backpack and sells his caffeinated and decaffeinated blends to teachers and students alike. While most of his business comes from direct and online sales, some grocery store chains, such as AJ's Fine Foods, also carry his products. Ornstein says he plans to approach more retail outlets in the future.

Running your own business can certainly be a tough and time-consuming task, especially when you're a full-time student, but Ornstein says he still has time for all the things that need to get done. The attitude with which the teen runs his company promises that he's always busy with something.

"I enjoy analyzing and addressing the various demands of each business challenge as it arises," said Ornstein.

For more information, visit www.tylerscoffees.com or call 520-903-2739.