Eureka moment
I originally trained as an immunologist but on a visit to San Francisco, my partner and I were struck by the vibrancy of its coffee scene, which was at total odds with the UK's at that time. During our stay, we got to witness coffee roasting and it was when we were watching the freshly roasted beans tumbling out of the drum that we realised what our true calling was.
Financing
Running a business comes with a lot of responsibility - to staff, to customers, and to the world around us. For us, it's not just about making big profits. That's why we pioneered our business model - Union Direct Trade - that sees us negotiate fair prices with farmers to reflect the higher class of coffee being purchased (in the top 2% in the world). This has helped us to achieve sustainable growth, while making a positive impact on the farmers who produce our coffee.
Regrets
I'm aware it's a bit of a cliché, but I genuinely don't regret anything! Any situations or decisions that may have felt like a mistake at the time have turned out to be invaluable learning experiences. At the end of the day, if they hadn't happened, there's a chance Union Hand-Roasted Coffee would not be where it is today.
What would you have changed?
Among the many things my partner Jeremy and I have often talked about was launching our own café - the perfect retail space to showcase our coffee. We haven't gotten around to it yet - maybe one day - but for the next few years we are focusing on nurturing and building our relationships with existing coffee shops and retailers.
