How it all Began

Trace it all the way back to the start.

The year was 1991 and the people of Guatemala endured a prolonged civil war that would mark tremendous political and social impacts on the nation’s fate. Norman Poorman, a pre-med student from Texas, had traveled down to Santo Tomás, Guatemala for a university medical mission trip. Little did he know that during his trip, he’d be receiving a calling that would mark his lifelong vocation to serve. As he strolled through the endless coffee plantations and engaged with the village’s community, Norman knew this was a place he wanted to serve in the future but wasn’t really sure how at the time.

In the fall 2020, the U.R.A. board of directors teamed up with the Bosch Family Farm in Guatemala to reimagine the coffee supply chain, develop a comprehensive traceability system and build a shared experience between coffee producers and consumers. Towards the end of the year, TheOne Kafé initiative went from being a dream to a concrete business model.

While in Guatemala, Peter had the opportunity to sit down with Andres and the exporters for his coffee, Los Volcanes, to discuss the first traceability report relevant to TheOne Kafé’s heart and mission. Upon reviewing the report, Norman Poorman was surprised to find out he would be called to serve in the place where his vocation had all begun.

There is no doubt that TheOne Kafé team members were brought together by a shared vision and passion. Their team’s shared mission is simple, unite the consumer with the producer in a revolutionary manner that benefits all parties

In 2019, Dr. Poorman and his wife Angel heeded their call to serve by founding United Rescue Alliance (U.R.A.), an international organization that exists to prepare, respond, and transform sustainable communities and leaders. The disaster-relief alliance operates under the leadership of its direction board, which includes the devoted founder couple and Guatemalan visionary, Jorge Bosch. Since its establishment, U.R.A. has served over a dozen countries with the mission of empowering communities through social solutions for innovation.

Towards the end of 2020 Peter Smichenko, an economics graduate from University of Maryland, was living in Austin, Texas. He had finished the Coffee Economics and Science Master’s program at Illy University of Coffee in Trieste, Italy just a couple years before. The program provided him with a high-level understanding of various aspects of the coffee industry from production through consumption. One of his Guatemalan friends from the grad school program, Ricardo Chacón, called to catch up and connect him with his uncle Jorge Bosch about a coffee project. From his first meeting with Jorge, it became clear to Peter that the proposed concept was not only viable, but also aligned with his calling to advocate for a change in the coffee industry. Peter’s parallel interests in supply chain traceability and coffee production challenged him to join TheOne Kafé’s team. Nearly a year later, Peter is the full time Chief Operating Officer of TheOne Kafé, focused on building the infrastructure of TheOne Kafé from sourcing, origin-engagement, opening distribution channels and ensuring our ideals are placed into each aspect of the business. Peter worked to secure single-estate, high scoring coffee for their first offering and turned back to his previous team at Falcon Coffees to ensure this would be achieved at the highest level. Brian Speckman, lead trader at Falcon Coffees in Austin, Texas, provided the coffee and initial connection to Finca Pachuj, owned by Andres Fahsen in Santo Tomás Sololá, Guatemala.

Meet the Team

  • Jorge Bosch

    CO-FOUNDER

    Originally from Ciudad de Guatemala, Jorge graduated Texas Christian University with a degree in Engineering and Mathematics. Him and his wife Sarah live in Fort Worth with their four children and share a passion for enter- preneurship and innovation. Jorge’s preferred way of drinking coffee is an Americano with a single espresso shot with his breakfast.

  • Sarah Bosch

    CO-FOUNDER

    Originally from Omaha, Nebraska, Sarah graduated from Texas Christian University and acquired a Masters in Bilingual Education from the University of Texas in Arlington. She has

    a passion for God, her family, and Guatemala. Sarah’s preferred way of drinking coffee is a sweetened Oat Milk Latte with a touch of vanilla while cozying up to a Bible study in the morning.

  • Angel Poorman

    CO-FOUNDER

    Originally from Kerrville, Texas, Angel at- tended Dental School at TCC and co-founded United Rescue Alliance with her husband

    Dr. Norman Poorman. She is the CEO of the organization headquartered in Abilene, Texas and identifies purpose in everyone she meets. Angel’s preferred way of drinking coffee is a Capuccino every morning at her desk.

  • Norman Poorman

    CO-FOUNDER

    Originally from Kerrville, Texas, Norman attended Dental School at ACU and became a pediatric dentist. He established his own den- tal practice in Abilene, Texas and builds differ- ent enterprises with a passion to serve people and the environment. Norman’s preferred way of drinking coffee is a Caffé Macchiato while reading the news in the morning.

The Journey