Episode 004 – Ian Duncan – The Grind Roasters

June 10, 2026

In this episode of Listen LowCo, Matt and Patrick sit down with Ian Duncan, founder of The Grind Roasters, to talk about entrepreneurship, community, coffee culture, and the rapid growth happening across Bluffton and the South Carolina Lowcountry.


Ian shares his journey from growing up in Kansas and working in landscaping to discovering specialty coffee, launching a roasting company, and eventually building one of Bluffton’s most recognizable local coffee brands. The conversation explores what it really takes to grow a small business in a fast-changing market — from hiring challenges and rising rents to networking, marketing, and scaling multiple locations.


They discuss:

Starting a coffee business from scratch

Growing The Grind from wholesale roasting to two storefronts

The evolution of Bluffton since 2008

Coffee shop culture and community spaces

Marketing strategies for local businesses

The challenges of hiring and retaining employees

Rising commercial rent and development in the Lowcountry

Why networking groups like BNI and Rotary matter

Entrepreneurship, systems, and scaling operations

The future growth of Bluffton and surrounding areas

Ian also talks about The Grind’s wholesale coffee operation, local partnerships, upcoming menu additions, event catering, and how creating an inviting community-focused environment became a key part of the brand’s success.


🎙️ Listen LowCo highlights entrepreneurs, creatives, and business owners throughout the South Carolina Lowcountry, sharing real stories and practical lessons about building businesses and community.

— Recent

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