Coffee shop creator prepares to move on

By Jamie Malthaner, News Writing Student

In just two years, the OCCC coffee shop has become a favorite gathering place for students to meet and relax — or to study.

The mastermind who suggested the coffee shop be built is Murod Mamatov, also known as “D.J.” He has managed it since its opening in August 2007.

In May, Mamatov will leave OCCC to pursue a bachelor’s degree at Oklahoma City University.

Mamatov came to Oklahoma as an international student in 2005 from Uzbekistan. He graduated with honors last May in international business.

In one of his classes, Introduction to Business, Mamatov said he was working on a project when he came up with the idea of putting a coffee shop in the college.

“I was thinking of ideas I could do,” he said. “There was a spot on campus where there was an empty, unused fountain. I thought it would be great if it could be turned into a hangout place.”

Mamatov said he took the idea to Jack Kraettli, Extended Services administrator at that time, and Kraettli gave him the encouragement and motivation he needed to succeed in his plan for the coffee shop.

After he made presentations to groups on campus, the idea gained the support of students and college administrators.

OCCC President Paul Sechrist approved the project and appropriated the funds, Mamatov said.

Mamatov was working in the college cafeteria at the time as assistant manager. He said John Carson, owner of Carson’s Catering, chose him to manage the coffee shop operation.

Carson played a key role in Mamatov’s learning experience and success with the coffee shop by giving him freedom to experiment with marketing techniques, Mamatov said.

“He must have seen potential in me, and I’m glad he did,” he said.

Mamatov said the coffee shop was a success from the time it opened.

It now has extended hours and is even open on Saturdays, which has been welcomed by weekend and evening students, he said.

Mamatov said he works full-time as a manager at the coffee shop and part-time as a circulation assistant in the library.

The 22-year-old said he recently learned he had received a generous scholarship from OCU.

He said he plans to major in business marketing for non-profit organizations.

Mamatov said he will pass the coffee shop down to new management once he leaves OCCC in May.

“I’m sure the crew and new manager will do a great job, even better maybe, in serving students at the college,” he said. “I’ll definitely be stopping by to visit.”

Mamatov’s coworkers speak highly of him.

“D.J. is a very hard worker and a very polite young man,” said Lailani McBryde, a psychology major and Mamatov’s co-worker at the library.

After earning his bachelor’s degree, Mamatov said he hopes to continue to OCU’s law school.

Joanne Cole, a microbiology major who works at the coffee shop, also commends Mamatov for his abilities.

“D.J. is a lot of fun as a boss,” Cole said. “He has a lot of potential to go very far.”