Founder's Story
Founder’s Story
Renée Brown – A Journey Fueled by Connection
For Renée Brown, business, technology, and design have always been tools for creating something deeper—connection. She believes innovation means little without humanity at its core. Every project, partnership, and idea she brings to life reflects a balance of creativity, strategy, and purpose. Through the lens of business, technology, and design, Renée continues to explore one idea: that meaningful connection is the most powerful innovation of all.
From a Dream to a Coffee and Tea Brand with Purpose
In the early days of Weaver’s Coffee & Tea, Renée never set out just to build a coffee and tea company—she wanted to create something that brought people together. Her vision was a community built around connection, craftsmanship, and the simple joy of sharing a truly great cup of coffee and tea.
What started as a six-month offer to help her husband Michael Brown and coffee roaster John Weaver with sales and marketing, quickly turned into something much bigger. As the company grew exponentially, Renée moved to the San Francisco Bay Area to take over operations and drive the business, opening the coffee roastery and coffee shop in San Rafael, and leading an international brand launch at the Cannes Film Festival.
In 2014, Renée tackled the complex challenge of securing permits in San Francisco for the next project, the 2301 Market Street coffee shop—an achievement that required vision, persistence, and strategic execution. She personally led the design and construction of the Flagship location, managing cross-functional teams to deliver the project on time and on budget. Every detail reflected her entrepreneurial drive, operational expertise, and unwavering commitment to quality, care, and community. From those early days, the company has remained rooted in her belief that thoughtful leadership and purposeful design can create meaningful impact.
Building Community, One Location and Product at a Time
Her vision first came to life in Marin County, where the coffee roastery and coffee shop blend the craft of coffee roasting with a vibrant gathering place. Later, she brought Weaver’s Coffee & Tea to one of the busiest corners of San Francisco, creating a Flagship coffee shop that quickly became a hub for locals, commuters, and visitors.
For seven years, the San Francisco Flagship coffee shop stood as a symbol of connection and craftsmanship—until September 11, 2020, when a car traveling at 70 mph crashed through the coffee shop, destroying it in seconds. Though the physical space was lost, the community and spirit that grew there continues to inspire.
Expanding beyond the walls of its coffee shops, Renée led the creation of innovative consumer packaged goods designed to carry the Weaver’s Coffee & Tea experience into homes and on the go. The launch of Weaver’s Cold Brew Coffee Cans (RTD) has opened the brand to a new generation of coffee drinkers—young, mobile consumers who value both quality and convenience. At the same time, the introduction of Single-Serve Compostable Coffee Bags has challenged the traditional K‑Cup and Pod market, providing an eco‑friendly, sustainable alternative that delivers fresh exceptional flavor without compromise.
Global Stage: Cannes Film Festival
Renée’s vision didn’t stop at home—it took Weaver’s Coffee & Tea to the world. She launched the brand internationally at the American Pavilion during the Cannes Film Festival, turning an empty space into a fully functioning coffee shop overnight—one that served more than 700 guests a day.
With her eye for design, custom branding, and a passion for exceptional coffee and tea, the pop-up quickly became a Cannes Film Festival favorite. What began as one bold idea turned into five incredible years of pouring coffee and tea at Cannes, sharing the art of Weaver’s with filmmakers, artists, and dreamers from around the globe—and firmly establishing the brand on the international stage.
Storytelling Beyond Coffee
Renée’s passion for storytelling extends beyond the world of coffee and tea. Through her production and design company, Chatty Mac Productions, she creates award-winning global documentary short films that highlight culture, innovation, and human connection. Her team travels from local neighborhoods to far corners of the world, uncovering stories that deserve to be seen and heard.
What Drives Renee Today
Renée continues to lead as a visionary entrepreneur, combining business acumen with creative strategy to drive growth and innovation. She’s focused on building scalable ventures that challenge convention, empower teams, and create long-term value through purposeful leadership and forward-thinking design.