Entrepreneur couple supports other Black-owned businesses

by Paula Anderson

Supporting Black-owned business throughout the year has been the goal for Ken and Mary Olds - founders of Muggin Coffee House.

Muggin Coffee House, a coffee shop, located in the Whitehaven community opened its doors in July 2020. Ken and Mary Olds was raised in this neighborhood and now they are helping other Black-owned businesses with events. It is the only coffee shop located in the Whitehaven community near Methodist South Hospital and Southwest Tennessee Community College - Whitehaven campus.

Mary Olds and Ken Olds/Courtesy photo

“As a Black-owned business in Whitehaven, we want that dollar to be recycled here in Whitehaven. Partnering with other black owned businesses is double exposure and provides the customer with the introduction to another way to keep the dollar here,” said Ken and Mary Olds.

In August 2022, Writing by Design Media, Inc. hosted a magazine release at Muggin Coffee House to celebrate National Black Business Month and the final edition of the Memphis Small Business Quarterly (MSBQ) magazine.

The venue was the ideal place for learning and networking.

“We see the importance in lifting one another as we climb. There is the notion that one can reach the proverbial "top" and THEN reach back for someone else. We are of the belief that it is better to lift as you climb so when you reach the "top" you are not alone. It all goes back to the old adage Iron sharpens Iron,” said Ken and Mary Olds.

In 2020, the entrepreneur couple received funding from the Economic Development Growth Engine (EDGE), an economic development program for businesses. According to the website, “EDGE brings together public and private entities to create new opportunities for economic advancement and prosperity.”

To learn more about Muggin Coffee House, visit muggincoffeehouse.com.

This article was originally published in Dec. 2022.