The Culture of Philz

I have exciting news to share but more importantly, a story I want to tell. First, I’ll start with the news.

I’m humbled to share that we’ve closed our Series C funding round. Raising a total of $45M, including an investment by TPG Growth. As a part of this funding round, we will also be adding Jim Coulter, Co-founder and Co-CEO of TPG, and Sanjay Banker, a partner with TPG Growth, to our board of directors. We’ve spent a great deal of time getting to know TPG, and we believe they understand the essence of Philz. With their experience helping retail businesses grow and their ties to the San Francisco community, they’ll be a strong partner for us. Jim and Sanjay will work closely alongside our existing board members: Ron Johnson, Founder and CEO of Enjoy, Greg Goldfarb, Managing Director, Summit Partners, and my dad and me. TPG Growth is joining a committed and enthusiastic group of investors who together believe in Philz future.

We now have a strong foundation to build on as we grow into more cities and continue to perfect the experience, but we will do so carefully, staying humble in every respect and operating through the lens of our values.

My dad, Phil, was born in the ’50s and spent the first 15 years of his life in Palestine. He started working at a very young age because he had to help his family. He sold roasted coffee beans door to door that he purchased from a local roaster. Despite the hard work and struggle, the family would either host or visit a neighbor every night. They’d get together around a table and enjoy each other’s company. Coffee, tea and food would be prepped in the kitchen with care and love and served with the highest level of hospitality — warmth and comfort.

When my dad moved to the States, he continued working and eventually saved up enough money to open his own business — a corner grocery store in the Mission district in San Francisco. He worked 15 hours a day, seven days a week. Not because he had to, but because he loved it. He loved serving people, being known in his community, and being a good role model.

His passion for coffee didn’t go away either. Besides enjoying it by his parents’ side and selling it door to door as a kid, he dreamed about the perfect cup. Quickly, he came to the conclusion that the perfect cup of coffee goes beyond the coffee itself. First, it’s about preparing the cup perfectly for each person’s own individual taste. Secondly, it’s about community. There are not many things in the world that…