#109 Coffee: A World of Endless Possibilities | Kim Thompson

Hope It Helps

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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