Posts tagged coffee importer
EP 1230 Joseph Sayegh - Adapting Your Business Plan In Times of War - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward

Welcome to the 5th episode of this five-part series on The Daily Coffee Pro by the Map It Forward Podcast, hosted by Lee Safar.

Our guest on the podcast for this series is Joseph Sayegh from Levant Cafe in Beruit, Lebanon. The cafe has remained open despite major challenges presented by the war in Gaza and Beruit.

In this series, Joseph and Lee discuss how Joseph is navigating this crisis as a business owner and how the business, employees, and customers of Levant are coming together to connect during this war.

In the final episode of a five-part series with Joseph Sayegh from Levant Café in Beirut, Lebanon, host Lee Safar discusses the transformation and adaptation of Levant amidst wartime challenges.

Originally a pastry shop and tour operator, Levant has transitioned into a cultural space and coffee shop due to the ongoing conflict.

The episode explores Joseph's journey of resilience, the shift in business strategy, and the importance of adaptability in uncertain times.

Despite the financial crisis and war, Joseph emphasizes the need for short-term planning and maintaining flexibility, along with the critical investment in coffee services which now constitute a major part of Levant's revenue.

The episode concludes with a discussion on the importance of dreaming and planning for a post-crisis future, as well as the value of taking calculated risks in business.

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EP 1229 Joseph Sayegh - Supporting Your Cafe Customers In Times of Crisis - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward

Welcome to the 4th episode of this five-part series on The Daily Coffee Pro by the Map It Forward Podcast, hosted by Lee Safar.

Our guest on the podcast for this series is Joseph Sayegh from Levant Cafe in Beruit, Lebanon. The cafe has remained open despite major challenges presented by the war in Gaza and Beruit.

In this series, Joseph and Lee discuss how Joseph is navigating this crisis as a business owner and how the business, employees, and customers of Levant are coming together to connect during this war.

In this heartfelt episode of The Daily Coffee Pro by Map It Forward, Lee and Joseph focus on adapting and surviving as a business during times of crisis, specifically the war in Gaza and Lebanon.

Joseph emphasizes the importance of authenticity and integrity in challenging times, sharing personal anecdotes about the deep connections he has built with his customers.

Despite the turmoil, Levant Cafe has become a sanctuary for the local community, where displaced individuals and regulars alike find solace and a sense of home. Sayegh candidly discusses the hurdles of maintaining business operations, community engagement, and the evolving role of Levant Cafe as a comforting social space.

This episode is a testament to the resilience and compassion of small business owners navigating through crises.

Tune in for an inspiring dialogue about community, values, and the power of human connection in times of upheaval.

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EP 1228 Joseph Sayegh - Taking Action To Survive As a Cafe in Wartime - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward

Welcome to the 3rd episode of this five-part series on The Daily Coffee Pro by the Map It Forward Podcast, hosted by Lee Safar.

Our guest on the podcast for this series is Joseph Sayegh from Levant Cafe in Beruit, Lebanon. The cafe has remained open despite major challenges presented by the war in Gaza and Beruit.

In this series, Joseph and Lee discuss how Joseph is navigating this crisis as a business owner and how the business, employees, and customers of Levant are coming together to connect during this war.

In this episode of The Daily Coffee Pro by Map It Forward, Lee and Joseph discuss the challenges and strategies for keeping a coffee shop open during an active war in Beirut.

Joseph shares his experiences and decisions around reducing operational costs, adjusting hours, and managing inventory to adapt to the rapidly changing and dangerous environment.

He highlights the importance of running a lean business and making incremental adjustments based on customer demand.

Joseph also discusses how involving his small team in decision-making processes has helped them stay motivated and collaborative during these tough times. Tune in to learn how to adapt and survive as a business in crisis.

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EP 1227 Joseph Sayegh - Cafe Business Decisions In Wartime - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward

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

Our guest on the podcast for this series is Joseph Sayegh from Levant Cafe in Beruit, Lebanon. The cafe has remained open despite major challenges presented by the war in Gaza and Beruit.

In this series, Joseph and Lee discuss how Joseph is navigating this crisis as a business owner and how the business, employees, and customers of Levant are coming together to connect during this war.

In this powerful episode of The Daily Coffee Pro by Map It Forward series, Joseph discusses his unwavering dedication to keeping his cafe open amid the ongoing war in Lebanon, driven by his passion and commitment rather than financial incentives.

The episode explores the essence of resilience, decision-making in crisis, and the mindset of adapting to unforeseen circumstances, including lessons from the pandemic.

Joseph shares heartfelt insights about prioritizing employees, customers, and sustainability, emphasizing survival over long-term growth.

This thought-provoking discussion highlights the deep cultural and personal motivations that fuel his determination, making it an inspirational watch for aspiring business owners and anyone interested in stories of human tenacity.

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EP 1226 Joseph Sayegh - Keeping A Cafe Open In War Time - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward

Welcome to the first episode of a new five-part series on The Daily Coffee Pro by the Map It Forward Podcast, hosted by Lee Safar.

Our guest on the podcast for this series is Joseph Sayegh from Levant Cafe in Beruit, Lebanon. The cafe has remained open despite major challenges presented by the war in Gaza and Beruit.

In this series, Joseph and Lee discuss how Joseph is navigating this crisis as a business owner and how the business, employees, and customers of Levant are coming together to connect during this war.

In this episode of The Daily Coffee Pro by Map It Forward, Lee and Joseph's discussion centers around the challenges of running a business during times of crisis, particularly focusing on the recent escalations in Gaza and Lebanon that started in early October.

Joseph shares the origins of Levant Café, how 40% of his revenue came from tourists, and the significant impact of the ongoing conflict on his business.

He discusses the pivotal moment of realizing he might have to close, the advice from his father, and how this led to adapting the business strategy by focusing more on coffee offerings and becoming a community space.

The episode dives deep into the resilience required to constantly reassess and pivot amid external crises, providing valuable insights for entrepreneurs facing similar challenges.

Tune in to learn about Joseph's journey, his innovative adaptations, and how he continues to grow Levant Café despite the ongoing war. Join us for the next episode to explore decision-making in a crisis.

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EP 1225 Lennart Clerkx - The Volatility of 2025 For Coffee Traders - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward

Welcome to the 5th episode of this five-part 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 episode of The Daily Coffee Pro by Map It Forward, Lee and Lennart discuss the importance of finding a unifying principle for grassroots initiatives in the coffee industry and the challenges of maintaining values-driven businesses.

They explore the role of finance in supporting businesses with the right values, transparency in trading, and the impact of consumer behavior on the coffee market.

The episode also touches on the potential effects of EUDR on coffee supply and demand, and the transformation of coffee trading post-2025.

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EP 1224 Lennart Clerkx - EUDR for Values Based Traders - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward

Welcome to the 4th episode of this five-part 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 episode of The Daily Coffee Pro by Map It Forward, Lee and Lennart delve into the long-term prospects of relationship coffee, discussing how it may become cheaper than standard coffee in the future.

The conversation highlights the importance of values-driven business models in the coffee industry, the implications of the EUDR on coffee trading, and the potential impact on coffee supply and pricing in Europe.

Lennart shares insights on how relationship coffee can lead to a steadier supply and compliance with new regulations.

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EP 1223 Lennart Clerkx - Values Driven Coffee Trading Companies - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward

Welcome to the 3rd episode of this five-part 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 episode of the Daily Coffee Pro by Map It Forward, Lee and Lennart compare independent coffee traders with large corporations, discussing the importance of values-based business models and their long-term sustainability.

Lennart shares insights on maintaining company culture, risk management, and the impact of strong values on business operations.

They also touch upon pressing issues in the coffee industry, such as climate change and labor migration, and their effects on future coffee availability.

Don't miss this in-depth discussion on building a resilient and ethical coffee business.

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EP 1222 Lennart Clerkx - How is Coffee Trading Funded - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward

Welcome to the 2nd episode of this five-part 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 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.

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EP 1221 Lennart Clerkx - Independent Coffee Traders vs. The Big Guys - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward

Welcome to the first episode of a new five-part 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.

In this episode of The Daily Coffee Pro by Map It Forward, Lee and Lennart discuss the vision of remaining an independent, values-based coffee trader amidst a highly hierarchical and consolidated industry.

Lennart shares the unique approach of This Side Up Trading, their journey from reluctant importers to key facilitators of direct trade, and the difference between small traders and large trade houses.

The episode also delves into the challenges of capitalism, the importance of transparency and ethical practices in trade, and the future of the coffee industry. Additionally, they touch upon alternative ownership structures that ensure long-term resilience and sustainability.

Don't miss this insightful discussion on navigating and thriving in the coffee trade industry while upholding values and integrity.

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