Shivers, 49, who was incarcerated for nearly a year for a non-violent offense, now channels her energy into building her business and fostering community, hoping to create opportunities for others facing similar obstacles.
Inspired by the warmth of her grandmother Queen Esther’s kitchen, Shivers has made Queen Coffee Bean a welcoming and cozy space.
The shop’s menu is filled with creative espresso flavors like Ethiopian cinnamon buttercream and chocolate cherry, while its atmosphere is relaxed, inviting customers to linger over boardgames and conversations.
Shivers’ goal is to recreate the comfort of home with each cup of coffee she serves.
With limited options due to her record, she took a bold step toward entrepreneurship, launching Queen Coffee Bean in August 2020.
Her early efforts included roasting coffee beans using a popcorn maker, driven by limited resources but unwaveringdetermination. Today, Queen Coffee Bean generates around $2,500 a month in revenue, though the amount varies.
The Prison PolicyInitiative reports that those who do find work earn significantly less than the general population. For Shivers, the turning point was enrolling in the Inmates to Entrepreneursprogram, a nonprofit offering business training to individuals with criminal records.
Through the program’s eight-week course, Shivers gained skills in sales, marketing, accounting, and customer service, which helped her craft her business plan and build confidence.
The support and training from Inmates to Entrepreneurs empowered Shivers to scale her business from selling roasted coffee beans to opening a brick-and-mortar shop. She also gives back by serving on the organization’s board, where she mentors other formerly incarcerated individuals looking to start their own businesses.
“Being an inmate was a small part of my story. I’m anentrepreneur, and I want to help others see that they can be too.”
Queen Coffee Bean is intentionally located in a low-income neighborhood in High Point, where Shivers sees an opportunity to provide jobs and create a sense of belonging in an underserved area.
As her business grows, Shivers remains focused on the mission of spreading love—through coffee, community, and care.
“Thefoundationof everything we do islove: you’re gonna love this drink, you’ve gotta love yourself, and you’ve gotta love otherpeople,” she says.
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