5THWAVE - The Business of Coffee and Hospitality

In this episode we’re speaking with David Steingard, CEO and co-founder of New York-based coffee business, Laughing Man. David founded Laughing Man in 2009 with his business partners, united by a vision to foster connection, positivity and community through coffee. The company has also set up a related charitable initiative The Laughing Man Foundation and more recently, the content creation space Laughing Man Studios. In this conversation, David shares incredible insight and wisdom from his years building and scaling a boutique business and discusses his upcoming plans for expanding via franchising. He also shares Laughing Man’s mission to improve the lives of coffee growing communities, supporting better housing, education scholarships and women-led cooperatives. Credits music: "Aurora" by Matt Kent in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB Collective Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.com Subscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

Following on from our last episode on the world of green coffee, today we’re releasing the complete interview with John Gibson, Head Roaster at Danish specialty coffee and bakery chain, La Cabra. In this conversation, John walks us through La Cabra’s approach to sourcing green coffee, how he selects growers to work with and the importance of nurturing those relationships at origin. He also unpacks the definition of direct trade, highlighting the need to use green coffee partners to facilitate seamless transportation and logistics and ensure fair prices for farmers. Credits music: "Rise" by The Elidas in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB Collective Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.com Subscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

Today we’re continuing our series on the business of coffee roasting and exploring the world of green coffee supply. We'll speak with Jordan Hooper, Head of Green Coffee Trading, Sucafina and Line Cosmidis, Head of Specialty Sales, Falcon Coffees, to learn more about the green coffee supply chain, the role of the trader and how this has evolved in the digital era. We'll also speak with John Gibson, Head Roaster, La Cabra, about his approach to direct sourcing and why building relationships at origin is so important to the business. Credits music: "Miraculous" by Riya Gadher - the winning song of The Coffee Music Project 2024 Planet Earth competition in association with SEB Collective Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.com Subscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

In today’s episode we’re returning to our funding mini series and speaking with entrepreneur Ed Barry about scaling and ultimately selling a coffee business. Ed is the former owner of London-based independent cafe chain Over Under Coffee. Ed founded and grew Over Under to a formidable eight-strong chain, plus a franchise in the Middle East, before selling the business to ambitious New York-based start-up Blank Street in 2022. Following the acquisition, Ed has set up hospitality tech platform Edify Systems. In this candid conversation, Ed shares his experience of the M&A process, from preparing the business for sale and lengthy due diligence to managing the transition period. He also highlights the importance of meticulous planning and ensuring continued financial performance throughout the sales process. Credits music: "Cry Don’t You" by IONA SKY in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB Collective Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.com Subscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

The London Coffee Festival 2024 is less than 2 weeks away and with it comes a four-day celebration of London’s vibrant coffee scene and its dedicated community. Since its inception in 2011 , The London Coffee Festival has attracted tens of thousands of hospitality professionals and coffee connoisseurs, fostering deep connections among those with a shared passion for coffee in London. And so in celebration of this remarkable event and to get us in the mood for this year’s festivities, we’re catching up with a few exhibitors and loyal participants about their favourite moments and also to hear what they are excited for this years’ event. We'll speak with Camilla Morgan, Head of Business Development & Customer Relationships, Eversys UK, Alex Spruce, Sales Director, Lofbergs UK, Lori Latham, Chief Commercial Office, Sproud, latte art champion Dhan Tamang, Coffee Masters London 2023 winner Jānis Podiņš and Harry Goddin, Commercial Director, William Reed. Credits music: "Fire" by Ruby Confue in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB Collective Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.com Subscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

In today’s episode we’re swapping our coffee beans for tea leaves and speaking with Nathan Kosky, Executive Vice President, for Rishi Tea & Botanicals. Founded in 1997 by Joshua Kaiser, Rishi Tea was a pioneer in bringing premium loose-leaf tea to the North American market. Today the brand supplies a wide range of high-quality teas, powders and infusions to coffee shops, restaurants and consumers across the US. In this conversation, Nathan shares the latest tea drinking trends in the US and how consumer preferences have evolved in recent years. He also highlights how hospitality businesses can increase tea sales through storytelling and ceremony to deliver an elevated customer experience Credits music: "Something New" by Kirstie Kraus in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB Collective Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.com Subscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

In today’s episode we’re speaking with Eileen Rinaldi, Founder and CEO of San Francisco’s iconic Ritual Coffee Roasters. Established in 2005, Ritual was a forerunner in San Francisco’s specialty coffee movement that exploded in the late-2000s. Today, the business operates five sites and a roastery in the Bay Area and Napa Valley. In this insightful conversation, Eileen discusses her bold ambition for Ritual to become a community-led and employee-owned business. She also stresses the importance of having a clear vision, being fully committed to your goals and making sure you have access to enough capital before it’s critical. Credits music: "Say It Again" by Madeleine Mayi in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB Collective Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.com Subscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

Following on from our last episode exploring the equipment required for a successful roastery, today we are releasing the complete interview with Scott Stouffer, Chief Sales Officer, Probat. In this conversation, Scott offers incredible insights into the world of coffee roasting equipment and he sheds light on which markets are growing the fastest. He also discusses the latest trends in technology, including automation and alternative energy, and shares important advice for any roaster looking to sustainably grow their business. Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.com Subscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

In today's episode we're continuing our series on the business of coffee roasting and focusing on the essential infrastructure required for a successful roastery. We'll speak with Scott Stouffer, Chief Sales Officer, Probat and Andreas Idl, CEO & Founder, Cropster to get an overview of the roasting equipment market globally and find out how technology and AI can be used to improve coffee consistency and quality. We'll also speak with Brian Rice, Roaster, Counter Culture Coffee and Simo Kristidhi, Production and Logistics Manager, Solberg & Hansen about the essential pieces of equipment and technology needed when setting up a roastery and how to optimise the space for efficiency. Credits music: "Merry Go Around" by The Velvet Fuzz in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB Collective Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.com Subscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

In today's "Coffee Entrepreneur" episode, we're speaking with Dillon Edwards and AJ Walzer, the team behind one of New York City’s favourite specialty coffee brands - Parlor Coffee. Dillon founded Parlor Coffee in 2012, originally as a pop up espresso bar in a Williamsburg barber’s shop. AJ joined in 2014 and since then, Parlor has grown to a formidable and globally revered roasting business, driven by a passion for origin, community and innovation. In this conversation, Dillon and AJ discuss the evolution of the New York specialty coffee scene over the last 15 years, and their decision to prioritise wholesale expansion. They also highlight the need for innovation, elevating the customer experience, and the importance of empathy and shared values when building a business together. Credits music: "Burn" by Grammy-winning artist Nicole Zuraitis in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB Collective Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.com Subscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

In today’s episode we're to be joined by Vanusia Nogueira, Executive Director of the International Coffee Organization (ICO). Established in 1963, the ICO was set up to regulate the global coffee market, promote international cooperation and administer the International Coffee Agreement. Today the ICO is as a vital platform for education and consultation, fostering long-term, sustainable production and increasing consumption of quality coffee. In this conversation Vanusia discusses the new regulations and initiatives aimed at equipping producers with the solutions and tools to tackle coffee production’s most pressing challenges. She also highlights the importance of establishing funding mechanisms for producers and the necessity of attracting young entrepreneurs back and into specialty coffee at origin. Credits music: "Pronoia" by Carly Pearl in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB Collective Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.com Subscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

In today's episode we're kicking off a new mini series on Thailand's vibrant coffee shop market, exploring the recent growth of specialty coffee and opportunities for international brands. First up, we're speaking with Varatt "Tae" Vichit-Vadakan, founder of Kinnest Group - a boutique F&B group in Bangkok with over 20 hospitality venues and 8 sub brands including Roots Coffee, Roast and Monty's. In this conversation Tae discusses the evolution of Thailand’s specialty coffee scene over the last 15 years and the joys of collaborating with other creative and passionate entrepreneurs. He also highlights his vision to reconnect with Thailand’s traditional coffee drinking culture by tapping into the nation’s increasing pride for Thai-grown coffee. Credits music: "Sad Sometimes" by Rosin in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB Collective Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.com Subscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

Today we're kicking off a new series on the business of coffee roasting, exploring all aspects of setting up a roastery - from sourcing equipment and green coffee to building a brand and establishing wholesale partnerships. In the first episode, we speak with Lem Butler, Co-Founder, Black and White Coffee Roasters and Kirby Sinclair, Co-founder, The Roasting Party, to understand the basics and first steps of establishing a roastery In these conversations we discuss how to find the right location, how to know when to upgrade facilities as you grow and the importance of defining your vision and building business relationships. Credits music: "Bad as you Are" by Alicia Davis in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB Collective Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.com Subscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

Today we’re continuing our funding series by speaking with Dan Hardy, Chief Revenue Officer at Crowdcube to find out how to prepare and execute a successful crowdfunding campaign. Crowdcube is Europe’s largest private lending marketplace with a community of over 1.5 million members. To date the platform has helped raise £1.4 billion of investment and has worked with over 1,300 entrepreneurs, including ambitious companies such as Grind, WatchHouse, Brewdog and Monzo. In this conversation Dan walks us through the crowdfunding process and sheds light on how to build and capitalise on campaign momentum. We also discuss the importance of creating a narrative with your community and communicating a clear and powerful mission statement. Credits music: "Dizzy" by Richard James in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB Collective Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.com Subscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

In today’s episode we’re speaking with Yassir Rais, Founder and CEO of Spanish specialty coffee business, Syra Coffee. Founded in 2015 in Barcelona, Syra Coffee has rapidly grown in recent years and now has an impressive 43 sites across 7 cities in Spain as well as a formidable B2C roasting business. In this conversation Yassir explores the inherent relationship between design, architecture and specialty coffee and shares his mission to democratise good coffee by making it accessible and affordable to all consumers. Credits music: "Broken Ground" by Kavalla in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB Collective Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.com Subscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

In the second episode of our Christmas break, we’re resharing a conversation with Anne Lunell - the co-visionary behind Swedish specialty roaster, Koppi Coffee Roasters. Respected throughout the industry, Anne is a former Swedish Barista Champion, international coffee judge, and was recently presented an Outstanding Industry Contribution honour at the European Coffee Awards in Barcelona. In this conversation, Anne discusses the importance of building a values-based business and shares why taking a step back and simplifying Koppi’s business model has created a fundamental work-life balance that so many successful entrepreneurs crave. Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.com Subscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

During our short break over the Christmas and New Year we’re re-sharing some of our favourite conversations from the last 12 months. First up is the legendary Tony Papas, a multi-faceted hospitality entrepreneur, with a global career spanning Michelin-starred restaurants, boutique bakeries, specialty coffee roasting with Allpress Espresso, and most recently, developing an olive farm in Puglia, Italy. In this conversation, Tony shares his business instinct of knowing when to jump in and when to step away, and the importance of fostering a cohesive culture by bringing every team member along on the adventure. Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.com Subscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

In today's episode we're bringing you an alternative Christmas playlist to accompany your festive celebrations. It’s our tradition to close each episode showcasing music from up and coming talented artists in association with The Coffee Music Project. And today we’re bringing you a bonus episode packed full of some of our favourite tracks from the year - plus a couple of festive numbers for good measure. So sit back, crack open the mulled wine and enjoy this Festive Treat of excellent music. A big thank you to all the incredible artists for lending their remarkable tracks throughout the year! Tracklist Do you Know Don't Delete MeSee the MagicBesos De MielFortunatelyDo YouHurry SlowRye Grass RyderSun and RainAll I KnowNew York Makes Me CryChristmas Just For Two

In today’s episode we’re speaking with Dan Martensen, the man behind the overnight sensation, It's Bagels - a New-York inspired bagel and coffee shop in London’s Primrose Hill. Dan opened the doors to It's Bagels in September 2023 and within days they had queues of over 200 eager customers lining up for a bagel and coffee. So, how did he do it? In this conversation Dan shares the secrets behind the daunting task of generating PR for a new brand. He also discusses his community-centric approach to business and the art of balancing tradition and modernity. Credits music: "Mother" by Daisy Chute in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB Collective Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.com Subscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

Today is the third and final part of our series exploring the Colombian coffee market and in this episode we’re discussing the enduring appeal of Colombian coffee abroad. We'll speak with Victor Gamboa, Santiago Gamboa, and Adnan Millwala, Co-founders of Hermanos Coffee Roasters in London. In this conversation they discuss adapting Colombian coffee to UK consumer preferences and how they communicate their Colombian heritage to their customers. We’ll also hear from industry guru, Tim Wendelboe who shares his passion for Colombian coffee, why he invested in a Colombian farm and why the country's coffees are so highly revered around the world. Credits music: "Serendipia" by London-based Colombian artist Eliana Echeverry in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB Collective Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.com Subscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear