VOL TWO - nearly here!

I do love getting the hard copy proof through. It makes the thing real, finally! A few last minute typo's were spotted and a few other tweaks reqired, then the go-ahead was given to the printer. I am told that printing is nearly complete to it is now a matter of waiting on transit.

Here are a few shots of the printed proof. Just a few mind - I don't want to see it all before it is officially released!

Just waiting now. Waiting, waiting...

Preview: The St Kilda Dispensary

Kristy Andruszko, owner.

It was a pleasure meeting Kristy and photographing her super-cute St Kilda cafe this week.

I love this shot, but it wasn't working with the other chosen photos for the feature so here it is on the blog! Kristy has an eye for styling thanks to her background in a designer pet supplies store where she designed and manufactured most of the products herself. This sweet cafe is a move towards a simpler life - a life which Kristy is loving! Read all about in in VOL 2 of Espresso Tales out in November.

The St Kilda Dispensary

13 Brighton Rd

St Kilda

VIC 3182

Meet the makers: Prana Chai

Mario, Koray and Vincent, of Prana Chai

The guys behind Prana Chai are good mates. Mario and Vincent have been 'besties' for over 30 years and based the chai recipe on the chai they drank on their 4 year stint travelling throughout Asia and beyond. Koray came on board more recently, as both a friend and a business partner but is the catalyst to the branding behind this recognised product we spot Melbourne wide. 

As always - I'm not giving away much more than this for now, but the full story and a photographic documentation of the beautiful, hands-on process that produces Prana Chai will be seen in full in Vol 2 of Espresso Tales - Due out in November.

Prana Chai

www.pranachai.com

info@pranachai.com

Patricia Coffee - meet Bowen Holden

Bowen Holden, owner of Patricia Coffee

I think the best part of my work for Espresso Tales is chatting with my subjects and learning about what makes them tick. Bowen is young, but single minded in all he does. Patricia coffee is a business, of course it is, but it is not typical 'good business sence' that drives Bowen's decision making. The coffee cups are hand made and cost 'a fortune', for example, but Bowen knew he had one chance to realise his dream of owning his own cafe... and he wasn't about to waste it. He could do nothing but put in 110%.
Step into Patrica Coffee and this commitment shows....

Buy Espresso Tales Vol 2 in November and get the full story!

Can't wait? Then check out Vol 1 now! Buy Vol One now

Salvatore Malatesta, Entrepreneur.

Salvatore Malatesta, entrepreneur.

I have had Sal's number in my phone for a year, I swear, but I 

held off making contact with him. Mostly because it was not quite the right time but also because I felt a little intimidated by his... big reputation. Working on VOL 2 of Espresso Tales made this the right time to get in touch with him, and I'm pleased I did. Was I right to feel a little intimidated? In away yes! Not because he is in any way intimidating (I can say that now I have met him!) but because Salvatore is a man that leaves an impression. He is a man that makes waves and gets things done. He is a business man, a very successful business man at that, and a really energetic, charismatic individual. 

I love hearing peoples life journey's and about what makes them tick. I am inspired by people that go out and make things happen. Salvatore is to this end incredibly inspirational.  I havent' given too much away here, this is a story that should be read in full and for that story you will have to wait until Espresso Tales Vol 2 comes out in November!

Oh, I know, I'm such a tease!

It will be worth the wait ;)

rh

Preview: Wild Timor Coffee

L-R Eddie, Cameron, Michael, Tom and Shannon. Owners of Let Me Be Frank (Eddie and Michael) have put their faith in WILD TIMOR COFFEE, a fledgling coffee company determined to make a difference...

Yesterday I met the team behind WILD TIMOR COFFEE at Let Me Be Frank (cafe, South Melbourne) who were the first cafe to take on  WILD TIMOR COFFEE.

This is an exciting time for these guys, and it was great to meet them at this early stage. So far much of their efforts have been in forging the way for that first one-ton shipment growing wild in the mountain regions of Maubisse and Aileu to your flat white, perfectly executed by Eddie at LMBF.

This journey involved large helpings of  red tape from local authorities and on-going education of the local farmers who until now have been paid poorly for their coffee and have had no motivation to improve their farming practices. This first shipment arrived in November 2012.

The WILD TIMOR team is not long back from spending last month in Timor assisting the farmers in the harvest and organising the crops' subsequent 2nd shipment to Australia.

There is so much to say - and some funny stories too! I will stop now and you can read the full story in Espresso Tales Volume Two, due out in November. Meanwhile WILD TIMOR COFFEE can be found every Sunday 9am-2pm at D Division, Pentridge Prison, 13 Urquhart Street, Coburg, VIC.

Wild Timor Coffee Co.

46 Jesica Road

​Campbellfield, VIC  3061

www.wildtimorcoffee.com

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Preview: KeepCup

Abigail Forsyth, KeepCup

KeepCup

156 Westgarth Street
Fitzroy, Australia 3065

KeepCup. We all know it. All the more hard to believe that this company is only a few years old.

These days it is all carbon neutral this and recyclable that (which is an awesome thing, obviously) but with KeepCup this is not just box ticking. KeepCup came about through a genuine desire to make a difference.

After hanging out with Abigail and the team at KeepCup for the afternoon I believe that their re-use mantra is indeed the motivation behind all they do.

The first few years was the fun part, Abigail says. Meeting people, selling the idea and growing the business. Now as KeepCup has catapulted into it's own self propelling orbit it is becoming more about 'real' business; about operations.

KeepCup's Fitzroy premises is HQ, showroom and warehouse. The warehouse is where the cups are made-to-order and sent off to their new homes. The actual manufacturing is done off site, all in Victoria, except the rubbery bands which are made in China. Assembly is done by a team of real people and brightly coloured cup-towers adorn most work surfaces. Despite being a global business, with premises also in the UK and the US there was a very hands on 'cottage industry' feel in the warehouse.

Read more about KeepCup in out next edition of Espresso Tales Magazine (Volume 2) due out in November 2013

RH