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Bigface
IndustryCoffee,clothing
FoundedOctober 1, 2021;2 years ago(2021-10-01)
Founders
Headquarters
U.S.
Products
  • Coffee beverages
  • apparel
  • mugs
  • tumblers
Websitewww.bigfacebrand.com

Bigface(stylized inall capsand sometimes spelled asBig FaceorBigFace)[n 1]is an Americanlifestyle brandfounded by professional basketball playerJimmy Butler.The company was originally created in 2020 as an informal side business selling coffee to other players while Butler was in theNBA Bubbleduring theCOVID-19 pandemic.After studying thecoffee industryfurther, Butler formally launched Bigface as a coffee company andlifestyle brandthe following year, selling direct-to-consumer coffee, apparel, and related merchandise.

History

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Background and origins as side business

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Prior to the2019–20 NBA season,theMiami Heatof theNational Basketball Association(NBA) acquiredsmall forwardJimmy Butlerfrom thePhiladelphia 76ersin asign and trade.[6]Due to the onset of theCOVID-19 pandemic,the NBA had tosuspendtheir2019–20 regular seasonin March.[7]The NBA would later resume the season in July, approving a plan to finish the regular season and host theplayoffsin a "bubble"site.[8]TheESPN Wide World of Sports Complexlocated atWalt Disney WorldinBay Lake, Florida,nearOrlandowas selected as the site.[8]NBA teams' players had to follow safety protocols, including maintainingsocial distancing.[8]One of the 22 teams who played at the bubble, the Heat were housed at theDestino Towerwithin theCoronado Springs Resort.[9]

Jimmy Butlerin March 2020

When asked about his experience in the bubble in an interview withESPN'sRachel Nichols,Butler stated "I'm working on my coffee skills. After my career, I'm opening my coffee shop."[10]From there, stories began circulating about Butler's side business selling coffee in the business. Players could bring items from home to use while restricted to stay on location at the bubble site; Butler brought with him aFrench press.[11]Finding the coffee options at the bubble sub-optimal, Butler began making coffee of his own using thecoffee beansfromEl Salvador.[12]From his room, Butler began selling cups of coffee to his teammates at anupchargefor $20 as a joke.[11][12]Butler selected this pricing because though cash was largely useless in the bubble—which was mostly empty aside from NBA players, personnel, and reporters— "NBAper diemrules still applied, "which saw the league's personnel receiving" envelopes filled with cash like they would to cover meals and incidentals on a regular road trip. "[3]Noticing that envelopes[n 2]included $20 bills, Butler charged the amount knowing most players would have such a bill available to them.[3]He offered the same price for all cup sizes and types of coffee.[14]

Originating as an inside joke, Butler called his business "Big Face Coffee", explaining that he would charge an initial $20 for a cup of coffee, adding that with potential buyers now out of $20 bills, they would then need to use "big faces,"[15]slang for $100 bills.[3]Butler added "whenever they hand me the hundred, I'm going to be like, 'Whoops, sorry. I don't have change. Thank you for paying a hundred dollars for a cup of coffee.' Never really worked that way but the idea was genius."[15]Butler contributed thedifficulty to find coffeeas a reason why demand for his was high.[16]

In September, Butler filed for trademarks relating to "Big Face" and began wearing merchandise before aMiami–Bostonplayoff game.[2]The Heat's season would end with the2020 NBA Finals,which they lost to theLos Angeles Lakers,4–2.

Prior to launching Bigface, Butler was originally not a coffee drinker. In an interview with coffee blogSprudge,he recalled begrudgingly drinking coffee with his trainer before eventually finding a passion for both the beverage and business related to it.[17]

Post-bubble and official company launch

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Following the season, Butler continued to study coffee-related topics such as beans, temperatures, and techniques.[3]Butler later shared withInsiderthat he was inspired to enter the coffee business due to connect with strangers over a cup of coffee during the offseasons of his NBA career.[1]Butler has studied and practicedlatte art,even challenging others to latte art competitions.[15][18]This interest has also led Butler to travel tocoffee farms in Costa Rica,among other places, to further study the coffee business.[12]Butler further plans to travel to Africa off similar motivations.[18]In August 2021, Bigface won bids for coffee beans in the Cup of Excellence auction, where the company bid $65,000 for over 1,000 pounds of premiumEl Salvador coffee.[12]In addition to El Salvador, Bigface has been noted to source coffee beans from farms from various other countries includingEthiopia,Honduras,Colombia,andEcuador.[18][19]

To further expand Bigface, Butler joinedShopify's creator program, which sees Shopify select a group of athlete entrepreneurs, not taking any fees orequity stake,but integrating them into theire-commerceplatform and using their name, image, and likeness for promotional purposes.[12]Butler officially launched Bigface Coffee as a company on October 1, 2021.[20]The launch date was selected to coincide withInternational Coffee Day.[12]Partnering withShopify,Bigface launched anon-fungible token(NFT) online store, which sold limited-time boxes including coffee blends.[4][15]In addition to selling coffee, Bigface also functions as a lifestyle brand, selling apparel produced byLululemonand related merchandise through its online e-commerce platform.[21][22][23]Bigface collaborated with designer Daniel Patrick to release a clothing line at theArt Baselevent in Miami in 2022.[24]

Pop-up shops and collaboration efforts

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An image of Ethiopian-sourced coffee beans, which have been used in Bigface's collaboration withVan Leeuwen

In 2022, Bigface openedpop-up shops,beginning with their partnership withVan Leeuwen,which sold caffeinated ice cream inNew York CityonGreenwich StreetinTribeca.[25]Using Ethiopian-sourced beans, the ice cream wasaffogato-flavored.[26]The flavor was also made available at Van Leeuwen's scoop shop locations throughout the United States.[27]The partnership followed up with pop-up shops in Miami, one at theMiami Opentennis tournament and another in the city'sDesign District.[5][25]Bigface also served as the official coffee brand sponsor for players and VIP lounges at theMastersandWTA 1000events in Miami.[17]

In April, Butler filed further trademark applications to have the Bigface brand include fresh produce, beverages, and baked goods.[28]In October, Bigface collaborated with Onyx Coffee Lab to release boxed sets including coffee blends and mugs.[21]The partnership arose after Butler visited the Amsterdam Hummingbird cafe, which Onyx is the homeroasterof.[21]

Another Bigface pop-up arose in May 2023, offering the brand's coffee for free at thePaddock Clubat theMiami Grand Prix.[29]In the same month, Bigface collaborated withLids.[30]Another Bigface pop-up would be set up at theKaseya Centerahead of Game 3 of the 2023 NBA Finals, which Butler's Heat hosted.[31]

Bigface would also collaborate with Artpresso, a design company, to release customized espresso machines and barista accessories.[32]Previously, Artpresso helped customize a Strada espresso machine model fromLa Marzoccofor Bigface, as well as a Linea Mini model exclusively for Butler,[32]which he would take on road NBA games.[33]Later in August, Bigface collaborated with the coffee brand Fellow to release coffee-related products such as grinders, scales, and pour-over kettles.[34][35]In 2024, Bigface collaborated withBacardi,[36]as well as the Miami-based Salty Donut.[37]

Packaging by Brandmonger and Zenpack for Bigface's coffee products earned a runner-up award at the 2023Core77Design Awards.[38]

Future plans

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Bigface has plans to open cafés inMiamiandSan Diego,where Butler lives during NBA offseasons. The former will be the location of Bigface's first brick-and-mortar location, set to open in September 2024.[39]

Maintaining close involvement with Bigface's ventures,[15]Butler also plans to expand the brand to have a global presence through cafés and grocery store merchandise.[13][40]

Notes

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  1. ^Listed are sources spelling the company's name as Bigface,[1]Big Face,[2]or BigFace.[3]The all caps stylization is present on the company's official website and used in some third-party sources.[4][5]
  2. ^Sources differ on the exact amount of these envelopes, ranging from $1,040 up to $2,400.[3][12][13]

References

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  1. ^abDavis, Scott (October 1, 2021)."After selling overpriced coffee in the NBA bubble, NBA star Jimmy Butler is starting a coffee business and still ripping off teammates".Insider.Insider Inc.RetrievedJune 3,2023.
  2. ^abKasabian, Paul (September 17, 2020)."Heat's Jimmy Butler Files 3 Trademarks for Coffee Business in NBA Bubble".Bleacher Report.RetrievedJune 3,2023.
  3. ^abcdefReynolds, Tim (March 23, 2022)."Coffee talk: At Miami Open, Butler is in the drink business".AP News.Associated Press.RetrievedAugust 11,2023.
  4. ^abSprung, Shlomo (October 14, 2021)."Jimmy Butler Talks BIGFACE Coffee's Shopify Progress".Boardroom.RetrievedJune 3,2023.
  5. ^abKlausing, Sara (August 5, 2022)."Jimmy Butler Gives Us the Inside Scoop on His Coffee Company's Ice Cream Collab".Men's Health.RetrievedJune 3,2023.
  6. ^"HEAT Acquire Butler And Leonard".National Basketball Association.July 6, 2019.RetrievedJune 3,2023.
  7. ^Aschburner, Steve (March 12, 2020)."Coronavirus pandemic causes NBA to suspend season after player tests positive".NBA.com.National Basketball Association.RetrievedJune 3,2023.
  8. ^abcWojnarowski, Adrian(June 4, 2020)."NBA approves 22-team format to finish season".ESPN.RetrievedJune 3,2022.
  9. ^Chiang, Anthony (June 17, 2020)."What will Disney life be like for the Heat? Details from the NBA's 113-page safety plan".The Miami Herald.RetrievedJune 3,2023.
  10. ^Jimmy Butler on Chris Paul beef: I don't care, I don't need friends in the bubble | The Jump.The Jump.ESPN.August 14, 2020. Event occurs at 2:58–3:34.RetrievedJune 3,2023– viaYouTube.
  11. ^abDator, James (August 17, 2020)."Jimmy Butler's $20 coffee hustle is the best business in the NBA bubble".SB Nation.RetrievedJune 3,2023.
  12. ^abcdefgYoung, Jabari (October 1, 2021)."NBA star Jimmy Butler launches his Bigface coffee brand".CNBC.RetrievedJune 3,2023.
  13. ^abBriggs, David (November 21, 2022)."'I'll give them some good coffee': Jimmy Butler on venture Big Face Coffee ".Yahoo! Finance.RetrievedJune 3,2023.
  14. ^Winderman, Ira (August 15, 2020)."Barista Butler? Heat's All-Star forward wasn't kidding about his $20 brews".Sun-Sentinel.RetrievedJune 3,2023.
  15. ^abcdeMizoguchi, Karen (October 1, 2021)."Jimmy Butler Launches Big Face Coffee After NBA Bubble Pop Up, Aspires to Run Own Café After Career".People.RetrievedJune 3,2023.
  16. ^"Jimmy Butler is charging $20 a cup from his NBA bubble coffee shop".ESPN.August 16, 2020.RetrievedJune 3,2023.
  17. ^abFillari, Giovanni (March 30, 2022)."Jimmy Butler Of BIGFACE Brand: The Sprudge Interview".Sprudge.RetrievedAugust 11,2023.
  18. ^abcThompson, Kat (July 6, 2022)."How NBA Star Jimmy Butler Became a Huge Coffee Nerd".Thrillist.RetrievedJune 3,2023.
  19. ^Squadron, Alex (April 15, 2024)."The Undeniable Realness of Jimmy Butler: Heat Star Talks Leadership, Staying True and the Playoffs".Slam.RetrievedMay 14,2024.
  20. ^Florsheim, Lane (October 11, 2021)."Jimmy Butler Wants You to Enjoy His $100,000 Cup of Coffee".The Wall Street Journal.Archived fromthe originalon October 11, 2021.RetrievedJune 3,2023.
  21. ^abcBrinkley, Rhett (December 14, 2022)."NBA star Jimmy Butler teams up with Onyx Coffee Lab on special limited edition coffee release".The Arkansas Times.RetrievedJune 3,2023.
  22. ^Collins, Barbara (December 18, 2022)."NBA star Jimmy Butler on his coffee love affair and 'very, very hard' second career".CNBC.RetrievedJune 3,2023.
  23. ^Bicks, Emily (February 6, 2023)."Heat's Jimmy Butler Reveals Big Face Coffee Banked Him Thousands".Heavy.Archived fromthe originalon August 17, 2023.RetrievedJune 3,2023.
  24. ^Richardson, Shandel (December 2, 2022)."Miami Heat's Jimmy Butler To Debut Collaboration with Luxury Sportswear Brand Daniel Patrick At Art Basel This Weekend".Sports Illustrated.RetrievedAugust 11,2023.
  25. ^abStoddard, Taylor (June 20, 2022)."Jimmy Butler's Big Face Coffee Pops Up In Miami Design District with Sweet Treats And Merch".Ocean Drive.RetrievedJune 3,2023.
  26. ^Dator, James (June 20, 2022)."Jimmy Butler wants you to boo him at barista contests".SB Nation.RetrievedJune 3,2023.
  27. ^McCarthy, Kelly (June 22, 2022)."Miami Heat star recalls ice cream that made him fall in love with NYC: 'Doesn't mean I'm coming to the Knicks'".Good Morning America.RetrievedAugust 11,2023.
  28. ^Rodgers, Josh (May 24, 2022)."Jimmy Butler Could Be Expanding His Big Face Coffee Brand Based On His Recent Trademark Filings".AfroTech.RetrievedAugust 11,2023.
  29. ^Sprung, Shlomo (May 8, 2023)."How Big Face Coffee Fueled the Miami Grand Prix".Boardroom.RetrievedJune 3,2023.
  30. ^Richardson, Shandel (May 12, 2023)."Jimmy Butler's Big Face Coffee Brand Partners With Lids HD".Sports Illustrated.RetrievedJune 3,2023.
  31. ^Fernandez, Jenise (June 7, 2023)."Jimmy Butler's Big Face Coffee opens pop-up shop outside Kaseya Center ahead of Game 3".WPLG.RetrievedAugust 11,2023.
  32. ^ab"Artpresso Design Teams with Jimmy Butler, Bigface Coffee".License Global.Informa.June 2, 2023.RetrievedAugust 11,2023.
  33. ^Chin, Tyler (April 30, 2022)."The Miami Heat's Jimmy Butler Brings This $6K Espresso Machine Everywhere He Goes".Gear Patrol.RetrievedAugust 11,2023.
  34. ^Brayson, Johnny (August 4, 2023)."The NBA's Resident Coffee Nerd Jimmy Butler Teams Up with Fellow for a Caffeinated Collab".Gear Patrol.RetrievedAugust 11,2023.
  35. ^"This New Coffee Collab Has an NBA Pedigree".UrbanDaddy.August 9, 2023.RetrievedAugust 11,2023.
  36. ^Miranda, Alex; King, Ki-Jana (January 22, 2024)."Jimmy Butler brings the heat with a new collaboration between his coffee brand and Bacardi".WSVN.RetrievedMarch 7,2024.
  37. ^Trattner, Charlotte (April 10, 2024)."The Salty Donut Launches A Limited Edition Collaboration With Jimmy Butler".Ocean Drive.RetrievedMay 14,2024.
  38. ^"BIGFACE Coffee - by Brandmonger / Zenpack".Core77.2023.RetrievedAugust 12,2023.
  39. ^Nadkarni, Rohan (May 8, 2024).""Miami Has Embraced Me": Slinging BigFace Coffee With Jimmy Butler at the Miami Grand Prix ".GQ.RetrievedMay 14,2024.
  40. ^Gamble, Andrew (June 3, 2023)."Jimmy Butler could become a billionaire despite making just $45m in the NBA".mirror.co.uk.RetrievedAugust 2,2023.

See also

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