Kari and Eric Starkey bought LEAP Coffee Roasters in 2016 and quickly turned the small-batch roastery known for its exceptional coffee into one that also supports the local arts community. When they announced in February that they were passing the torch to new owners, I knew there was more to the story. Over a cup of one of LEAP’s robust releases, Kari and the new owners told me all about it.
LEAP is a cornerstone in the local coffee scene, to be sure. But the outgoing owners have been a part of the it since long before Oklahoma City had anything even resembling a coffee scene. Nearly three decades ago, Kari owned Yippee Yi Yo Cafe. Many fondly remember the charming little coffee shop on Western Avenue with its wall of camp mugs and the warm hospitality Kari lavished on her customers.
Yippee Yi Yo Cafe had a great run and laid the foundation for the future roastery, as well as another important future: Kari and Eric had their first date there. That first date led to a happy marriage that produced a lovely daughter. Many creative pursuits ensued, including a kids’ television show and film, television and theater roles for Eric. After successful careers in the arts (Kari at Oklahoma Children’s Theatre and City Arts Center) and accounting and acting (Eric for over 20 years in films and theater), the couple returned to their caffeinated roots with LEAP Coffee Roasters.
The premise was simple: Source and roast the finest beans. Then, in 2017, LEAP launched its Artists Series coffees, wherein local artists receive a percentage of the sales of their personally curated coffee beans: Romy Owens’ Militant Optimist, Ebony Iman Dallas’ Mystic Moments and Nightingale by Miss Brown to You, among others. LEAP was the deserving recipient of a Governor’s Arts Award last year for these efforts, and you can purchase these beans around town, online and at the LEAP warehouse on Fridays. Over the last eight years, participating artists have received a combined total of over $66,000. It seemed like a lovely little dream that could just keep percolating. In early 2024, the Starkeys brought in their two full-time employees as part owners: Kiona Millirons and Hannah Mhamedi. This had been their plan for a while, and they were delighted to realize they could make it happen sooner than anticipated for their small, tight-knit team.
The players
Hannah already had 10 years of experience in the coffee business when she came on as an employee at Stella Nova, which led to getting to know Kari; their shared love of all things coffee provided an easy connection. On a visit to Morocco to see Imad (before their eventual marriage and his move to the United States), Hannah brought a mug to gift Kari. That mug that now enjoys a place of pride at the shop became the catalyst for a friendship beyond their professional pleasantries, eventually landing Hannah a job at LEAP.
Kiona Millirons also came to LEAP through a relationship with Kari forged in their deep commitment to Oklahoma City’s arts community. Kiona was a successful working artist in OKC while also serving as founder and executive director of Oklahoma City Girls Art School, providing visual art classes to underserved girls and young women. The trajectory of her life was forever altered just before Christmas 2018 when her younger sister was shot and killed in her car outside her job as a supervisor of a public library in North Natomas, Sacramento.
Kiona spent the next three and a half years working through the trauma of the violent loss of her sibling while also navigating the sudden, unexpected launch into a fight for justice and the ensuing trial. As Kiona put it when we spoke recently, “I just needed a job where I could show up and focus on one true thing. Roasting gave me an escape from the mental energy of the trial. It takes a completely different kind of focus and energy; this role provided a livelihood, an escape and a group of people who could accept me where I was.”
Stella Nova had been an important part of the business’ success. With four locations, the locally owned and operated chain was the roastery’s largest account. In December, Stella Nova announced it would be donating its four cafés to Not Your Average Joe, a local nonprofit that employs students and adults with disabilities in coffee shops around town. In addition to owning and operating the coffee shops, Not Your Average Joe also roasts its own beans. It didn’t take long for the accountant-turned-roaster to do the math: Without its biggest bean buyer, there was no way to make the numbers work. Kari and Eric would not be able to keep all their employees.
Even the best salesperson couldn’t have made up the difference; part of the social contract of being a coffee roaster in a small city is a tacit agreement not to poach customers. And though LEAP has an enviable book of business that includes local favorites such as The Red Cup, Full Circle Bookstore and Scrambl’d, the orders are simply smaller. Several high-end restaurants also rely on LEAP’s perfectionistic tendencies: The Hutch on Avondale, The Gilded Acorn and Patrono all serve LEAP’s coffee, but their volumes are even smaller.
The plot thickens
Enter a potential buyer with the pocketbook to purchase LEAP outright. Once again, Eric put on his accountant hat and set to work. Understandably, the employees, now part owners, were growing more nervous with each cup of coffee. What would the deal look like? How would the Artist Series fare under new owners? Their port in a storm — would it hold? Truth be told, Kari and Eric had similar fears, as well as an almost preternatural need to take care of their people.
Eric sent the proposed offer from the potential buyer to Hannah to review. As she pored over the offer, she realized there might be an opportunity to keep LEAP in the family. She talked to Imad, then made an offer to Eric and Kari before presenting the plan to Kiona.
Hannah beamed a little when she told me, “We presented an offer to buy the entire business outright.”
Kari reflected that pride as she picked up the thread: “A full-price offer, fair market value, full stop.”
The deal moved quickly from there. An additional down payment by the Mhamedis brought Imad on as a full partner. Kari and Eric were able to act as the bank for the remaining sale price, no financing required.
When the deal closed, Hannah told me, “It was a quick decision for us. It was an easy step to take because so many things had been leading up to it, lining it up for us.”
The Artist Series will continue to earn dividends for its creators while new Artist Series beans will be released with Kiona at the helm, an artist continuing to help other artists. With Hannah managing the business side and Imad working to keep the specialized equipment running smoothly, the little roastery that could will get to keep on keepin’ on.
Kari and Eric have also created their own catbird seat. It’s hard to imagine any two people better suited to be roasters emeritus — retired, at least from the day-to-day of the sourcing and roasting of coffee beans, yet still available to provide their gentle guidance. They’ve already signed up to cover vacations, sabbaticals, sick leave — all the leaves, really. It feels like they won’t ever be far, at least until Hollywood comes calling for Eric or Kari dreams up another leap of faith for the dynamic duo to pursue.
This article appears in OKC Ballet Shorts.