EP 677 Lennart Clerkx - How is Coffee Trading Funded - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward

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Welcome to the 2nd episode of this series on The Daily Coffee Pro by the Map It Forward Podcast, hosted by Lee Safar.

Our guest on the podcast today is Lennart Clerkx, the co-founder of This Side Up Coffee, an independent coffee trading house and importer based in the Netherlands.

In this series, Lee and Lennart will explore whether or not an independent, values-driven, coffee trader can maintain their values long-term.

The episodes of this 5-part series:

1. Independent Coffee Traders vs. The Big Guys - https://youtu.be/h-U9E8L5Q-w

2. How is Coffee Trading Funded - https://youtu.be/u8W46VUSAFo

3. Values Driven Coffee Trading Companies - https://youtu.be/MTWN_MOS4Hw

4. EUDR for Values Based Traders - https://youtu.be/L13jBcrA8_Y

5. The Volatility of 2025 For Coffee Traders - https://youtu.be/5gKlL9PrxKM

In this episode of The Daily Coffee Pro by Map It Forward, Lee and Lennart delve into the opaque world of coffee trading.

They discuss how the current trade system benefits high-level figures who leach money from the industry, the financial mechanics behind coffee trade funding, and the troubling realities hidden from the public eye.

Lee also touches on the misleading sense of success within the coffee industry and argues for genuine, values-based business practices.

This candid conversation reveals the deep-seated issues within the system and offers insights into making a real impact.

00:00 Introduction to Transparent Trade

00:58 Sponsored Message: Become a Coffee Consultant

01:37 Welcome and Episode Overview

01:57 The Hidden World of Coffee Trading

02:41 Funding in Coffee Trading

03:01 The Role of Banks in Coffee Trading

04:49 Challenges and Realities of the Coffee Industry

08:56 Personal Experiences and Industry Insights

18:41 The Success Fallacy in Coffee

22:39 The Illusion of a Profitable Coffee Industry

28:02 Final Thoughts and Next Episode Preview

Connect with This Side Up Coffee here:

https://www.instagram.com/thissideupcoffees/

https://thissideup.coffee/

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🤑 This episode is brought to you by Map It Forward's revised on-demand online workshop "It's Time to Become a Coffee Consultant" available now on our website with additional new bonus material including the coffee consultant career map. Get more details on how you can create an alternative revenue stream today at https://mapitforward.coffee/workshops

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