In 2010, Jeff Phillips, a cross-country truck driver, decided to follow his dream and open Tamp & Grind, a coffee shop in the heart of downtown Alexandria, Louisiana. The timing was serendipitous, as the downtown area was undergoing a much-needed economic revitalization, and Jeff’s vision captured the spirit of the moment. The shop quickly became a beloved gathering place, attracting a loyal customer base that included Amanda Sanchez, a local teacher. By 2012, their relationship blossomed, and Amanda became Mrs. Phillips. Together, they managed the shop while Amanda continued her teaching career.

However, in 2017, tragedy struck when Jeff unexpectedly passed away, leaving Amanda to face an uncertain future. Should she sell the business or run it on her own? The thought of parting with the shop — Jeff’s passion project that held so much personal meaning — was unimaginable. So, Amanda made a bold decision: she would carry on, embracing the challenge of solo entrepreneurship.

Upon diving into the business’s finances, Amanda realized that the shop was not as financially sustainable as she had hoped. In order to overcome these hurdles and build a stronger foundation, she turned to the Business Acceleration System (BAS) program, offered by the Central Louisiana Economic Development Alliance (CLEDA). Through this program, Amanda began gaining valuable insights and skills to help her move the business forward.

During her time in BAS, Amanda learned about a nursing program set to open across the street from Tamp & Grind in late 2019. Recognizing a unique opportunity to attract new customers, Amanda began envisioning how she could expand the business to accommodate this influx. But upgrading equipment and renovating the shop would require more capital than she could afford out-of-pocket, and despite improving finances, past struggles still hindered her ability to secure a traditional loan. Her BAS coach recommended Communities Unlimited (CU), an organization that offered both entrepreneurship support and lending services.

In January 2019, Amanda received both business consulting and a loan from CU, starting a relationship that has continued to flourish. By the summer of 2023, Tamp & Grind had grown so much that another loan from CU was necessary to fund a second renovation, purchase updated equipment, and invest in marketing.

Grinding On: A Community Hub

Though it has been over eight years since she took full ownership, Amanda is still in awe when she looks at the vibrant community that fills her coffee shop every day. She takes immense pride in serving her neighbors, offering not only excellent coffee and food but a welcoming space where people can feel at home.

Tamp & Grind now employs a staff of 12 — a remarkable achievement for a small business. According to Pew Research, 49% of small businesses employ just one to four people, highlighting the significance of Amanda’s success in creating jobs and supporting the local economy. Amanda finds deep fulfillment in this part of her work, drawing from her background as a teacher.

“I hope it’s not just a job for them, and really, it’s not just a teaching moment for me,” she reflects. “I want to make an investment in their lives, and they will return that back. You invest in people, and they will invest in you as well.”

Amanda strongly believes that small businesses like hers play a crucial role in strengthening local economies. “To invest in your community, it means you think your town and community is worth that,” she explains. She credits successful small businesses with inspiring young people in the community to create their own opportunities rather than leaving for bigger cities.

Reflecting on the support she’s received from organizations like CU, Amanda emphasizes their importance.

“It’s incredibly important, when you’re starting, you have no idea what to do.” she admits. “I couldn’t have asked for anything better in terms of understanding what my financial investment was going to be, and how that was all going to work out.”

15-Year Tampiversary

As Amanda celebrates Tamp & Grind’s 15th anniversary, she reflects on the incredible journey that brought her to this moment. “I feel extremely proud that we were able to grow the shop and keep it active in the community,” she says. “It has been a great place, a sort of hub for people to come together, and it means a lot to me that our community has been so supportive over the last fifteen years.” 

Recent data underscores just how significant this achievement is. According to Fundera, less than 30% of small businesses reach the 15-year mark, making Amanda’s success even more impressive. To mark this milestone, Tamp & Grind held a “15-Year Tampiversary” celebration, where the community gathered to honor the shop’s growth and the memories it had helped create. Local musicians performed, area artists showcased coffee-themed artwork, and Amanda printed 200 photos of the shop and its customers over the years, allowing attendees to take home a piece of the shop’s history. 

“There are people that have been coming to the shop since they were teenagers and now they’re adults with their own children coming in,” she recalls. “It was really a neat experience, I enjoyed it.” 

As for the future of Tamp & Grind, Amanda remains optimistic and open to possibilities. “You just never know, you never know where the future is going to take you,” she says. “It’s just wonderful to have hope about the possibility of the future, and that is something that you guys helped me provide and I’m so happy.”