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IT’S JUST COFFEE!

How to Build a Strong Company Culture in Coffee | EQUATOR COFFEES!

May 25 · 57 min
0:00-57:05

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Equator Coffees has done something quite remarkable in the coffee space. 32 years in, and they remain steadfast in their values: Female-owned, B corp certified and LGBTQ+ focused. Ben sat down with Co-Founder Helen Russell to discuss the practicalities of creating and maintaining a value-led business… including non-negotiable staff benefits, transparency with customers, and Helen’s personal advice, ‘hire for kindness, teach coffee later!’. Helen also addresses the underrepresentation of women in leadership roles and the importance of supporting women-owned cooperatives. 


00:00 Welcome & Introducing Helen Russell

01:23 The Story of Equator Coffees03:01 Building a Values-Led Coffee Business

08:59 Why Transparency Matters

15:36 Creating a Strong Company Culture

19:31 Balancing Values & Profitability

23:10 Turning Values Into Action

28:41 COVID, Grocery & Adapting the Business

35:14 Hospitality & Making Customers Feel Cared For

40:43 Women in Coffee Leadership

47:13 Creating an Equitable Workplace

51:03 Advice for Purpose-Driven Businesses

54:14 Hot Take: Coffee Should Cost More

55:23 Final Thoughts & Shout Outs


Equator Coffees: https://www.instagram.com/equatorcoffees/ 

Helen Russell: https://www.instagram.com/equatorhelen/ 

If you're new here (welcome), our show dives into some of the best coffee conversations on the internet, but we will always remind ourselves at the end of the day - It's Just Coffee!

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IT'S JUST COFFEE: https://linktr.ee/itsjustcoffeepod?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=4e8cead0-6644-4c4a-b419-28c825b1b236

Want to get in touch? Hit us up at hello@itsjustcoffeepod.com for any questions or comments.

Proudly sponsored by:

Marco Beverage Systems: https://www.instagram.com/marcobeveragesystems/ 

Apax Lab: https://apaxlab.com/ Condesa Co.Lab: https://condesacolab.com.au/ 

Riverina Fresh: https://www.riverinafresh.com.au/

Thanks for listening! 


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