![\"industrial-grind-3\"](\"https:\/\/sduptownnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/Industrial-Grind-3.jpg\")
<\/a>As it turned out, coffee was the answer to the question. Industrial Grind was birthed in early 2011, months after Hansen and Jeanine closed out their respective 30- and 20-year careers in the military.<\/p>\n
The operation grew into its current state when Hansen and Jeanine purchased an established coffee shop, Jitters on Park, at 3922 Park Blvd., in Hillcrest and gave the business a new name and makeover.<\/p>\n
In the six years since that pivotal moment, the couple opened three additional locations, created an offshoot business known as IG Bakery and began brewing their own house blends.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re partners in business and partners in life,\u201d Jeanine said. \u201cWe created a vision for this business together.\u201d<\/p>\n
In a nod to Industrial Grind\u2019s ongoing evolution, Hansen and Jeanine also brought on board a new business partner, Crystal Jones, who handles such managerial tasks as generating sales goals and other logistics that feed into day-to-day operations.<\/p>\n
Jones, who joined the Industrial Grind family a year ago, is Hansen\u2019s niece.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re all very proud of what we do around here,\u201d Jones said. \u201cOne of the things I find very satisfying is knowing we\u2019ve somehow made a customer happy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Transitioning from military service to coffee entrepreneurship might seem like an epic leap to the casual observer. When asked about the life change, however, Hansen was quick to say, \u201cIt really isn\u2019t a far stretch.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a lot of work and you put in a lot of hours,\u201d Hansen said, drawing parallels between the two scenarios. \u201cThere\u2019s also the opportunity to stretch your imagination. If you have a good suggestion, you\u2019re encouraged to go ahead and do it.\u201d<\/p>\n
As it turns out, life in the military and behind the counter of a coffee shop also is hyper-competitive. In addition to Hillcrest, Hansen and Jeanine have also laid stakes in the San Diego neighborhood of Tierrasanta and in the suburb of Santee.<\/p>\n
The Hillcrest market, in particular, is heavily caffeinated with numerous national and local coffee shop chains dotting the landscape. Hansen and Jeanine, however, are undeterred. The couple opened a second location in the neighborhood earlier this summer at 1433 University Ave., just before celebrating their third wedding anniversary.<\/p>\n
Hansen said the decision to open the new University Avenue coffee shop was two-fold and is partially linked to uncertainty at the flagship Park Boulevard site. The building is on the market, Hansen said, and could be targeted for redevelopment in the future.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re going to stay open [on Park Boulevard] for the foreseeable future,\u201d Hansen said. \u201cWe decided to open the shop on University because we wanted to be able to stay in the neighborhood. It\u2019s a beautiful space.\u201d<\/p>\n
While she is quick to note the number of other coffee establishments in close proximity in Hillcrest, Jones walks back any notion the rivalry among the different businesses is anything less than cordial.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, there is competition, but it\u2019s all very friendly,\u201d Jones said. \u201cWe talk with one another, and we frequent one another\u2019s shops. Coffee is all about community.\u201d<\/p>\n
From a marketing standpoint, Hansen and Jeanine said they believe there are several features baked into their business model that have carved out a healthy niche. When they took over Jitters on Park, the couple had been serving coffee from an outside supplier. But they soon decided to bring it in house.<\/p>\n
Industrial Grind is considered a micro-roaster, meaning 200 to 300 pounds of beans are cooked each week.<\/p>\n
The Chief Blend (in homage to their Navy careers) is among the company\u2019s custom brews. It offers such qualities as earthy, chocolate, light citrus and smoky notes. Another variety developed within the shop is the Callie Blend, which has berry, chocolate and brown sugar notes.<\/p>\n
\u201cBarb was the brains behind the micro roasting,\u201d Hansen said, adding that Jeanine took roasting classes and worked in a commercial kitchen to perfect the product.<\/p>\n
Through all of the blood, sweat and tears, Hansen and Jeanine said they are grateful for this chapter of their lives.<\/p>\n \u201cWe just kept winding up back in San Diego [while serving in the Navy], and we decided we would stay here,\u201d Jeanine said. \u201cThere\u2019s a tremendous amount of loyalty in this community, and we appreciate our whole team.\u201d<\/p>\n Hansen added, \u201cSan Diego is very special to us.\u201d<\/p>\n For more information on Industrial Grind, visit industrialgrindcoffee.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/a>More recently, Hansen and Jeanine also created their own from-scratch bakery and began supplying it to other businesses. The company\u2019s entire line of breads, muffins and other goodies is gluten-free.<\/p>\n