Today we’d like to introduce you to Whale Rx Coffee Co..
Hi Whale Rx Coffee Co., thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
When we think about how Whale Rx Coffee Co. began, we always go back to the ocean.
Many of us grew up near the coast, watching manatees glide through the shallows and waiting for whales to appear during their migrations. Those moments stuck with us. They shaped what we care about, and they never really faded.
Years later, we found ourselves in health care, working long shifts alongside people we trust with our lives. Coffee became our lifeline. It kept us awake through late nights and early mornings, but it also gave us something else: a small ritual that brought us together.
That’s where the idea clicked. What if the coffee we relied on could also help protect the animals we love?
So we built Whale Rx Coffee Co., a mission-driven coffee company started by a small group of healthcare professionals who are serious about great coffee. From day one, we decided the coffee itself had to be worth drinking. Every order is roasted in small batches only after someone buys it, then shipped fresh directly from our roasting partner. Our beans come from sustainable farms across Central and South America, Africa, and Asia. We connect each roast to an ocean creature because we want every cup to be a reminder of what we’re trying to protect.
The heart of Whale Rx is purpose. We donate at least 20% of our profits to vetted, frontline conservation organizations, including:
Allied Whale’s Marine Mammal Stranding Program (Maine)
Caribbean Manatee Conservation Center (Puerto Rico)
One Ocean Conservation and Save the Sea Turtles International (Hawaiʻi)
Orca Conservancy (Washington)
We’re also a proud member of 1% for the Planet™, a global network that connects businesses and environmental nonprofits. As part of that commitment, we give a lot more than the 1% of annual revenue required to environmental causes, helping ensure that a portion of every sale supports the planet.
Today, Whale Rx Coffee Co. has grown from a few single-origin roasts into a wider lineup that includes blends, teas, and merchandise. But the promise stays the same: fresh-roasted coffee with a real impact.
With Whale Rx Coffee Co., coffee becomes more than a morning habit. It becomes a small act of conservation. Your daily ritual turns into action, healing, and hope for marine life.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t been a completely smooth road, and that’s true of most small businesses built with purpose. One of the biggest challenges has been the rising cost of coffee throughout the supply chain, which has increased our costs significantly. We made a deliberate choice not to push those increases onto our customers or scale back our support for the nonprofits we believe in. In fact, last quarter, we donated close to 100% of our profits to our conservation partners. To make that possible, we put paid marketing on the back burner and we are relying more on word of mouth and community support. It’s been challenging at times, but it’s allowed us to stay aligned with our values while keeping both great coffee and meaningful impact at the center of what we do.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Thanks for the question. All of the co-founders come from healthcare, but this company was never meant to be about our résumés or personal wins. It’s about really good, freshly roasted coffee and a simple, grounding mission: protecting the waters that bring us peace.
We want people to understand that not every morning has to be a race. Some mornings are meant to be slower. To pause, sip a cup of coffee, and reconnect, with yourself, with the people around you, and with the ocean that inspires everything we do. Being able to pair exceptional coffee with a cause that genuinely matters to us is something we’re deeply proud of. It’s our way of turning an everyday ritual into something a little more meaningful.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
If you stay focused on the mission and truly believe in it, the work becomes rewarding on its own. When you enjoy what you do and lead with genuine passion, that energy is contagious. Over time, people notice, connect with it, and naturally want to be part of it. Of course, a good cup of coffee always helps!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.whaleRxCoffee.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whalerxcoffee/
