Today's guest is Kim Thompson. Kim is the Founder & Managing Director of RAW Coffee Company. Kim along with her partner Matt held the first International Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) Diploma qualification in the MENA region. Over the past 17 years they have built one of the strongest regional coffee brands led by a passion to support all areas of the coffee supply chain.
During this episode we discuss her story building RAW and the early days, we talk about the importance and complexities of the coffee supply chain, how coffee cultures differ globally and the past, present & future of the UAE coffee market.
Last message: “Don’t let it be intimidating to start your coffee journey. Find a place where you feel comfortable”
0:00 Intro
2:00 Coffee is supposed to be a fun ritual
4:38 People underestimate the complexity of the coffee supply chain
8:40 The importance of sharing the farmer’s stories
13:45 Experience at Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival
15:50 Early years at RAW
23:00 Coffee can easily go wrong
25:28 Coffee grading & scoring
29:22 Selecting which coffee to buy
33:30 The RAW story
36:45 Flavor profiles and transitioning
43:00 Is it a coffee toy or a tool?
46:40 Give the people what they want
48:34 The UAE coffee market past, present & future
53:30 Where do most people cut costs in coffee
55:05 How do you stand out amongst the competition?
57:58 Roasting process is different globally
1:00:17 How difficult is it to for a new origin to break through
1:06:51 Coffee cultures around the world
1:11:11 Proud
1:13:44 Last message
Kim:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimthompsonraw/
Website: https://rawcoffeecompany.com/
Hope It Helps:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khaled-abuljebain/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeithelpspod/
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