
5THWAVE
23 FOLLOWERS
A forward-thinking interview series examining the business of progressive coffee culture.
The 5THWAVE Podcast is hosted by Jeffrey Young, Editor-in-Chief of 5THWAVE magazine and Founder of Allegra Group.
Each episode features inspiring stories, business lessons, and thought leadership from the entrepreneurs and industry experts blazing trails to success across the world of coffee.
5THWAVE
6d ago
In this episode, we're joined by Nicolas O’Connell – an influential coffee and business expert and a former Partner at La Colombe Coffee Roasters.
Nicolas joined La Colombe in the mid-1990s as a barista and quickly rose through the ranks, playing a key role in launching the brand’s pioneering wholesale programme. Though he’s often worked behind the scenes, Nicolas' business acumen and strategic vision were instrumental in transforming La Colombe into the international powerhouse it became.
In this candid conversation, Nicolas shares his insights on how La Colombe maintained its brand a ..read more
5THWAVE
1w ago
In today’s episode we speak with Mark Sciberras, Director of The Common E2 and Common Ground Workshop – an East London café and architecture studio specialising in hospitality and residential design.
Originally from Melbourne, Mark trained as an architect before moving to London in the mid-2000s. Inspired by the city’s emerging specialty coffee scene, he opened The Common E2 in 2014, creating a space that reflects his design philosophy and passion for community.
In this conversation, we explore the synergies between coffee and architecture and how great design can shape the way w ..read more
5THWAVE
1w ago
In today’s episode, we're speaking with Elisa Marshall and Benjamin Sormonte, Founders of Maman, a French-inspired boutique café and bakery chain that began in New York and has since expanded across the US and to Canada.
Since its founding in 2014, Maman has grown exponentially, and by the end of this year, they’ll be celebrating a remarkable milestone of 40 stores, including locations in New York, Washington, Florida and Toronto. Next week also marks Maman's 10th anniversary, a decade filled with delicious food, welcoming spaces, and vibrant community.
In this inspiring conversation, Elisa ..read more
5THWAVE
2w ago
In our final live session from the event, we’re joined by Konstantinos Konstantinopoulos, CEO of Coffee Island, and Alex Pantziaros, founder of Coffeeco Upcycle, to explore their mission of transforming coffee waste into high-value products.
Coffee Island is Greece’s largest coffee chain, with over 450 outlets in Greece and an additional 50 across nine international markets.
Coffeeco Upcycle set up in 2018 with a vision to unlock new opportunities for sustainability in coffee.
In this conversation, Konstantinos and Alex discuss the innovative process of turning coffee waste into exciting ne ..read more
5THWAVE
2w ago
In today’s episode we’re speaking with a very special guest – Paul Ross, founder of Special Guests Coffee, a boundary-pushing specialty coffee business based in the heart of London.
A two-time UK Barista Champion, Paul founded Special Guests in 2022 with a mission to curate rare specialty coffees from around the world and showcase these hidden gems to wider audiences through his coffee venue and online platform.
In this conversation, Paul explains how physical coffee shops play a vital role in fostering community and building a cohesive ecosystem for his business. He also emphasi ..read more
5THWAVE
3w ago
In today's episode we’re finding out how specialty roasters and distributors are navigating the ever-changing landscape of e-commerce coffee.
In an era where the competition is now global, how do brands stand out from the crowd? How can businesses engage with consumers and build loyal audiences online? And what lies ahead for the burgeoning new coffee discovery segment?
We'll speak with Menno Simons, Founder, Bocca Coffee, Suneal Pabari, Co-founder, The Roasters Pack and Alice Wainwright, Co-founder, Rise Coffee Box.
Get 15% off your first three boxes at Rise Coffee Box with the discou ..read more
5THWAVE
1M ago
In today’s episode, we’re speaking with Stuart Forsyth, CEO & Co-founder of distinctive and influential oat milk brand, Minor Figures.
Stuart set up Minor Figures in London back in 2015 with a vision to create an accessible alternative milk brand that complements the taste of coffee and champions our industry. Today, Minor Figures is a leading player in the global oat milk category operating across Europe, Australia, the US and Japan.
In this conversation, Stuart shares the philosophy behind Minor Figures and how he built a business centred on self-discovery through organic g ..read more
5THWAVE
1M ago
For the second revisit episode of our Holiday break, we’re returning to one of the most inspiring conversations of last year, with Cemal Ezel, Founder of the social enterprise Change Please and Old Spike Roastery.
Cemal’s insight into balancing social impact with commercial success is thought-provoking and powerful. In this extended interview, he shares how Change Please uses a unique business model to tackle homelessness – one cup of coffee at a time.
Cemal also talks about his recent collaboration with Nespresso and reveals exciting plans for global expansion, showcasing how purpose-driven ..read more
5THWAVE
1M ago
As we take a short break over Christmas and New Year, we’re re-sharing some of our favourite conversations from the past 12 months.
First up, we’re revisiting an inspiring conversation with Elisa Marshall and Benjamin Sormonte, Founders of Maman – the French-inspired boutique café and bakery chain that began in New York and has since expanded across the US and into Canada.
Since its launch in 2014, Maman has experienced phenomenal growth, now boasting nearly 40 locations across New York, Washington, Florida, and Toronto.
In this conversation, Ben and Elisa reveal the secrets behind their ra ..read more
5THWAVE
1M ago
In today's episode we're continuing our tradition of sharing an alternative Christmas playlist to soundtrack your celebrations over the Christmas period!
We love to close each episode with music from up-and-coming artists, in association with The Coffee Music Project. So, today, we’re bringing you a special bonus episode filled with some of the best tracks we’ve featured this year.
So grab a glass of mulled wine, settle into your cosiest spot, and enjoy this hand-picked collection of incredible music. A huge thank you to all the talented artists who’ve shared their music with us throughout the ..read more