Tyler Wald: The Story of an OHS Entrepreneur

High School students often participate in many extracurriculars including sports, the arts, and clubs. However, OHS senior Tyler Wald has decided to do something that is extremely rare for High Schoolers. Tyler founded and runs a coffee business known as “Tyler’s Beans” an online store to buy custom-roasted coffee beans. 

I had the chance to sit down with Tyler and ask him why he decided to become an entrepreneur in the first place. 

Tyler said, “I hate working for other people and I have always had a passion for owning my own business someday.”

While many high schoolers dream of becoming entrepreneurs after graduation, not many actually become one while still in high school like Tyler. Owning your own business involves a lot of time, money, and risk. Knowing this, why would Tyler decide to start a business selling coffee beans?” 

Tyler told us, “ I started becoming interested in coffee sophomore year after I started drinking it regularly. I became interested in how the level of roast and type of bean can vary the taste.”

Tyler then bought the tools and equipment required to roast coffee, ordered some beans, and ended up selling his first bag to his wrestling coach. 

Since then Tyler now sells beans custom roasted to order from Honduras and Brazil. But how does one order his coffee and how does he get his coffee to customers? 

Tyler said, “I do most of my business through Facebook just because it is easy to contact customers via Facebook messenger. I also have a google form where people can submit their orders.” 

Customers can choose which beans to order, their preferred roast level, ground or unground, and pick up or have their order shipped to them. 

Tyler's big selling point is that his beans are freshly roasted and he will get them to you in a few business days; unlike coffee from the grocery store that can sit on the shelf for weeks before being purchased. However, one may wonder how Tyler plans to continue to grow his business in the future. Tyler said, “In the near future, I plan to expand my available products. Possibly adding beans from Indonesia and sourcing them directly from local farms in those countries.” 

I also asked Tyler about his worries about going out of business. He said, “Not really, there will always be a need for coffee since so many people drink it every day. I’m even considering creating a subscription where my customers will periodically get a new bag automatically so they never run out and don't have to order again and again.”

All in all, it is clear that OHS entrepreneur Tyler Wald has been very passionate about his business “Tyler’s Beans” and is a great example to OHS students who are considering starting a business now or in the future. 

If you would like to order from Tyler click this link to access the order form.