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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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