I'M NOT A BARISTA: Voices of the Coffee World

Today, we have the pleasure of introducing you to an exceptional coffee entrepreneur, Melissa Stinson. The brilliance behind the successful 'Everybody's Busy' coffee studio in Chicago, Melissa embodies the spirit of innovation and fervor in the coffee industry. But what truly sets her apart is her unique concept: a reservation-style business model, weaving exclusivity and personalization into every coffee experience.

While the world often measures success in revenue and numbers, Melissa’s journey teaches us that it’s so much more than that. For many in the coffee world, it’s the pure, unbridled passion for the craft that holds more weight than financial returns. Every pour, every brew, every sip she offers at 'Everybody's Busy' is a testament to that undying love for coffee.

So, if you ever find yourself wandering the streets of Chicago, take a moment to reserve a spot at 'Everybody's Busy.' Dive into a coffee encounter like never before and let Melissa's story inspire you to find success on your own terms. Enjoy the episode!

If you prefer reading, read Melissa's coffee story here
https://notabarista.org/melissa-stinson/

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At "I'M NOT A BARISTA," our essence lies in echoing the voices of coffee aficionados who often remain unheard. We champion the tales, trials, and triumphs of every individual in the coffee community. Every story matters, and yours could be the next one we share. Don't be a silent brewer; let the world hear your story.

Want to share your coffee chronicle? DM us on Instagram.

In this illuminating episode, we have the honor of hosting Jeremy Zhang, a titan in the realm of specialty coffee in China. As the founder of M2M, one of China's largest specialty coffee roasteries, Jeremy's influence stretches far beyond the bustling streets of Nanjing, where his journey began. 

His pioneering spirit has carved out a space in coffee competitions, setting a benchmark for many to follow. But who is Jeremy Zhang beyond the entrepreneur? Dive in to understand the fabric of the Chinese coffee industry, the dynamics of evolving tastes and preferences, and the fascinating interplay between tradition and modernity. Jeremy speaks candidly about breaking stereotypes, integrating different aspects of the coffee supply chain, and fostering young talent like the Beijing-born world champion barista Jiangning Du he once recruited, and the infused coffee. Discover how his passion led him from an employer to a mentor, shaping not just beans but lives. 

As China's coffee scene remains an enigma to many international coffee lovers, let Jeremy be your guide to unveil its depths. Join us on this caffeinated journey, and you might just see coffee, and China, through a new lens.

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Cover photo from M2M-木 on Red book
Read more coffee stories at www.notabarista.org

#coffee #m2m #coffeeinchina #roastery #jeremyzhang #barista #nanjing #nanjingcoffee #notabarista

Get ready to meet Fish Yu, the co-founder and design director of TIMEMORE, the go-to coffee brand that has been stirring the coffee industry. Today, he takes us behind-the-scenes into the birth of TIMEMORE, a brand born from the shared passion for coffee and design between two friends who dared to dream beyond the mobile phone industry. As Fish unfolds his journey, you'll gain an insight into the challenges of steering a startup, the evolution of his role, and the driving force behind TIMEMORE's acclaimed design philosophy.

We also dive into the intriguing challenge of maneuvering a Chinese brand in the global market. Fish's candid discussions about their commitment to authenticity, the power of design, and the uphill battle to break stereotypes will leave you inspired. You'll also get an insider's look into the creation of their innovative Sculptor grinders and the ingenious knocker design that has been a hit. And for the fans wanting more, Fish reveals what's brewing in TIMEMORE's future. So, buckle up, coffee enthusiasts, for a fascinating journey into the world of coffee.

Read more coffee stories on
https://notabarista.org/

Order Coffee Wristbands and support I'M NOT A BARISTA's charity work
https://notabarista.org/product/notabarista-coffee-wristbands-2023/

Our guest is none other than Jo Lopez (@link_is_not_the_princess), the head of coffee at a coffee company in London, who spills the beans on the recent drama brewing in the coffee industry. A rising storm in a coffee cup, the controversial Paragon chilling tool, is the hot topic; with big players attempting to freeze out smaller competitors like Squeaky Coffee with legal threats. Jo, however, isn't one to shy away from controversy and gives us the skinny on this contentious tool, just like 50percentarabica, leading us to a humorous discussion on memes that have sprung up as a form of protest against corporate bullying.

Trust us, the drama doesn't stop there. We rip back the curtain on the power dynamics at play in the industry, revealing how well-established companies are making bold moves to protect their market share. The dark side of innovation, we discuss the pattern of big companies trying to patent everything, and the ripple effects this has on small companies. Buckle up as we navigate the murky waters of influencer culture in the coffee industry, questioning the authenticity of reviews amidst sponsored content, and how this can leave consumers with a bitter taste.

So, whether you're a casual coffee drinker or a seasoned industry player, this episode promises a full-bodied blend of controversy, drama, industry insights, and personal experiences. Join us as we roast these hot topics!

Follow Jo on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/link_is_not_the_princess

Read more coffee stories on
https://notabarista.org/

Order Coffee Wristbands and support I'M NOT A BARISTA's charity work
https://notabarista.org/product/notabarista-coffee-wristbands-2023/

Ever pondered on the therapeutic benefits of brewing coffee? Introducing Nadia Park (@nadiaxcoffee), a proud Korean American, rooted in California, who stumbled upon the tranquility imbued in the act of drip coffee preparation. This newfound ritual has since infused joy into her daily life. 

Join Nadia as she talks about her coffee journey. It moved on from just coffee to chats about deep topics. Her content has attracted many coffee lovers. Nadia believes coffee has its own language which can lead to engaging discussions and fresh insights.

Click on the link in our bio to listen to Nadia's story. Follow her today and be a part of her unique coffee journey.

You can find us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and Google podcasts. 

Follow Nadia Park on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/nadiaxcoffee/


#coffee #coffeemeditation #meditation #nadiapark #KoreanAmerican #pourover #handrip #speciatlycoffee #notabarista #coffeetime #coffeepodcast #coffeelover

Read more coffee stories on
https://notabarista.org/

Order Coffee Wristbands and support I'M NOT A BARISTA's charity work
https://notabarista.org/product/notabarista-coffee-wristbands-2023/

“Coffee paired with the right glass of water will dramatically change your experience…”

From tasting his first Ethiopian – washed coffee to placing second in 2019’s Australian Northern regional World Aeropress Championship, Darren Meachem’s journey through coffee goes deep.

If you're a coffee aficionado or simply curious about the fascinating world of water, this episode is not to be missed. Tune in now and discover the art of water tasting with Darren Meachem.

For more information about Darren and his work as a water sommelier, be sure to check out his Instagram. And if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and subscribe to our podcast to stay up-to-date on all our latest content.

#water #coffeewater #watersommelier #sommelier #australia #aeropress #barista #specialtycoffee 

Read more coffee stories on
https://notabarista.org/

Order Coffee Wristbands and support I'M NOT A BARISTA's charity work
https://notabarista.org/product/notabarista-coffee-wristbands-2023/

We recently had the pleasure of speaking with Oleksii Fedorovskyi, the Ukraine Brewers Cup champion in 2016 and 2020.

Even during times of war, Oleksii never wavered in his love for coffee. He and all of the 2023 Ukraine Brewers Cup competitors proudly hold the title of coffee enthusiast.

In this episode, we had the privilege of interviewing Oleksii about the current coffee scene in Kiev and his latest activities. We also delved into the topic of infused coffee and Oleksii generously shared his tips for identifying infused coffee at home based on his vast experience.

Have you had the pleasure of trying infused coffee? Are you a fan? Tune in to this episode to learn more about Oleksii and the world of infused coffee.

Read more coffee stories on
https://notabarista.org/

Order Coffee Wristbands and support I'M NOT A BARISTA's charity work
https://notabarista.org/product/notabarista-coffee-wristbands-2023/

In our latest episode, we interviewed Serafim Zoukas. He is a full-time psychologist, a father of a seven-year-old, and an independent Brewers Cup competitor who is passionate about homebrewing.

We were impressed by Serafim's dedication to his craft and his willingness to compete with coffee professionals. He serves as an excellent example to his daughter and to all of us.

Serafim's love for coffee goes beyond just drinking it. He has honed his brewing skills and competed in the Brewers Cup.

Despite being a full-time psychologist, Serafim has found the time to pursue his passion for brewing and has even achieved success in the competition circuit. He is an inspiration to anyone who has a passion outside of their day job.

During our interview, Serafim advised anyone looking to pursue their passions to "do what you love, and enjoy the process." This message reminds us to prioritize joy and fulfillment in our pursuits.

Overall, we were honored to have Serafim on our show and are grateful for the insight he provided on pursuing one's passions and stepping outside of one's comfort zone.

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/serafimzoukas/

Read more coffee stories on
https://notabarista.org/

Order Coffee Wristbands and support I'M NOT A BARISTA's charity work
https://notabarista.org/product/notabarista-coffee-wristbands-2023/

In this episode, we had James Harper with us. James is an Italian Australian with a British twang, James fell in love with coffee as a teenager in Italy.

He's worked across the coffee world but kept running against the same problem: nobody knew what was really happening. So he went off to uncover the reality and discovered uncomfortable, hidden truths.

Armed with these stories and a background in storytelling, James started Filter Stories to help coffee drinkers understand how their morning cup of coffee impacts tens of millions of people.

If you like coffee just like us, make sure the subscribe to James's podcast Filter Stories 

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/filterstoriespodcast/

Website
https://filterstories.org/

Read more coffee stories on
https://notabarista.org/

Order Coffee Wristbands and support I'M NOT A BARISTA's charity work
https://notabarista.org/product/notabarista-coffee-wristbands-2023/

Who is the most popular barista in 2023 so far?

No doubt, it is Mariam Erin Pinza, the 2023 UAE Barista Champion, who is also the @coffeewristbands angel in UAE, and the talented artist that you should start investing :)

In this episode, Mariam shared her experience preparing for a barista championship, and her recent competition performance proves that her method works. 

Listen to this episode, and get to know the Mariam behind the competition, get to know her art, her past, and why she always wears a bucket hat.

If you like reading, you can read Mariam's coffee story with the link below
https://notabarista.org/mariam-erin-pinza/

Follow Mariam on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/mariam.erin/

Get to know IMNAB's charity program COFFEE WRISTBANDS
https://notabarista.org/coffee-wristbands-charity-program/

Coffee Wristbands is an international fundraising program that brings coffee people together to give back to the coffee community. Every wristband purchased enacts a positive impact on the lives of those in the local coffee community.

Read more coffee stories on
https://notabarista.org/

Order Coffee Wristbands and support I'M NOT A BARISTA's charity work
https://notabarista.org/product/notabarista-coffee-wristbands-2023/