By Payton Tholstrup

Photo courtesy of Canva

At just 16 years old, Ezri Catlin is already brewing up big ideas.

Catlin grew up surrounded by coffee, thanks to her parents, who own the local roastery in Clay Center. The early exposure to the coffee industry sparked more than just a love of coffee; it inspired her to start her own business, Ez Duzit Drinks.

“I always talked about it because I thought it would be a fun job, especially since we don’t have that many drink options in town. I’ve always been entrepreneurial and like trying new ideas,” she said.

When Catlin first started the business, she only offered Brown Sugar Iced Lattes, her favorite drink to make. Now, she offers more options, like Caramel Iced Lattes and Lemonade Refreshers with popping pearls.

“I like experimenting with different things and seeing what people like,” Catlin said.

Social media is an important aspect of the business and Catlin’s main way of communication. Ez Duzit Drinks is on both Facebook and Instagram. There, she posts when she is making deliveries and when she will be doing events.

“Deliveries are fun because I get to go out into the town and meet a lot of people that I normally wouldn’t see,” she said.

When attending events, she sets up a table and brings the equipment in her car.

Catlin said it’s crazy when you think about how many people work to make one cup of coffee the best it can be.

“From the farmers who grew the beans and shipped them across the ocean, to the people roasting the beans, all the way to me, who is making the drink, and then the person that’s going to enjoy that cup.”