2022 Arkansas Small Business Person of the Year: Jaim Krutz, Owner of Big Cuppa, LLC

In 2016, Jaim Krutz and her husband Marty were walking through Historic Morrilton when they were inspired to purchase one of the many vacant buildings and help to revitalize the small town.

In March of 2017, their dreams became a reality and Big Cuppa, LLC opened its doors with Jaim at the helm as the majority owner. This move took a lot of sacrifice and determination, as funding the venture required liquidating retirement accounts and obtaining a loan, remaining effectively homeless by living in the business and bunking with friends to keep expenses low, and not drawing a paycheck for two years until Big Cuppa became profitable.

After completing a five-year growth plan within only two years, Jaim knew that she would need assistance with deciding what future opportunities to pursue and how to scale their coffee shop business further. Jaim reached out to Ronda Hawkins at the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center, where she was advised to apply for the 2021 Emerging Leaders Program.

“Due to the pandemic, 2020 was canceled,” Jaim stated. “I was accepted into the 2021 program and that is where the next phase of Big Cuppa was born. It took me the entire program, but I eventually graduated with a complete 3-year strategic Growth Plan!”

Big Cuppa, LLC is now selling their syrups and coffee all over the United States and overseas and are in the process of getting their manufacturing permit to expand their wholesale market. As a direct result of the training she received from the prestigious Emerging Leaders Program and financing through the SBA pandemic programs, Big Cuppa, LLC now boasts 3 locations, including a recently opened roastery, 13 full and part-time employees, and has been able to reduce costs and avoid the supply chain issues that are plaguing the nation.

“We are having a blast and are very excited for what the future will bring!”