Building a successful coffee business

Episode 9 of the IAB Podcast we interview Adam Cozens.

Adam Cozens, is the Managing Director and Co-founder of East London’s Specialty Coffee Roasters; Perky Blenders. Since starting with his wife and his brother in 2015, he has built a brand that’s responsible, friendly, and accessible to all.

Four and a half years in, Adam and his Perky Blenders have created 4 cafes and 2 ‘roasteries’ employing 35 staff, they have a strong wholesale customer base including Fenwick of Bond Street and Wholefoods Market. During the recent 'Covid period' they focussed online where they already had a strong presence and over doubled their online business overnight.

In the past four years, they have moved all consumables and packaging to eco-friendly-options, rebranded, held talks and training, switched websites survived everything except a zombie apocalypse, but feel just about prepared for that round now.

Adam came from a catering infused background but principally had a career in Civil Engineering. Spotting one of those glorious gaps in the market, the 3 of them invested in a 1kg coffee roaster and began small, working hard, all from a small shed in their back garden. But Adam and Victoria did this whilst Adam was at work and Victoris had their second child with a one-year-old already at home. Adam left his director role in Central London to develop Perky Blenders and build the business in 2017.

Adam was Highly commended in 2018 by the Institute of Directors for Best Startup Director in the East of England, and the company has been awarded by Time Out and Great Taste several times since.

 

In this episode, we ask Adam:-

What's your story?
Why did you make the decision to start something new?
What have you learnt?
What would you have done differently?
What advice would you give to someone thinking of starting up their own business?
Where can people find out more about you?

 

You can find Adam on the link below
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram