On this BizBlend episode, host Sana sits down with Canadian founder and former ethical coffee CEO Alisha Esmail to unpack what success really costs. Not in pitch decks. In your nervous system. Alisha shares how she built and exited Road Coffee in one of the most competitive markets, paid farmers above cost of production, and still hit multiple burnouts.

They dig into how founders can use AI and automation to buy back time without turning their company into a soulless machine, why emotional exhaustion often hits before physical burnout, and how profit and purpose actually need each other if you want long term impact. If you are a startup founder, ethical brand builder or impact driven entrepreneur wondering how to scale without your company eating your life, this conversation gives you practical, real world context.

About the Guest:

Alisha Esmail is a Canadian entrepreneur, former founder and CEO of Road Coffee, one of Canada’s most recognized ethical coffee companies. She has a background in international development and built supply chains that paid farmers above cost of production, including fully female led supply chains and microloan programs. Today she teaches founders how to leverage AI, systems and automations to buy back time and energy while protecting the human heart of their businesses.

Key Takeaways:

• 
  

  Impact without profit eventually breaks
  
  Alisha is clear that in her early years she was too impact driven and not focused enough on revenue, which created intense pressure. Profit solves problems, funds ethical supply chains and lets you help more people instead of constantly firefighting cash flow.

  
  


• 
  

  The first tank to empty is usually emotional, not physical
  
  Long hours and skipped workouts matter, but what pushed Alisha into burnout was emotional depletion. Constant pressure, decision fatigue and feeling responsible for everyone slowly created resentment toward the company she loved. Emotional capacity is a core business resource, not a soft add on.

  
  


• 
  

  Use AI to remove the drain, not the soul
  
  The team mapped their calendars and energy leaks, then used AI for repetitive, low value tasks like inbox triage, drafts and research. Relationships, creativity and vision stayed fully human. Automation should amplify your genius, not replace your voice.

  
  


• 
  

  Redefining success starts with one step, not a massive pivot
  
  From paying above cost of production to female supply chains to microloans, none of it happened at once. Alisha stresses taking the smallest possible impact step that you can sustain while still meeting payroll and keeping the business alive.

  
  


• 
  

  Your relationship with money drives your strategy
  
  Seeing profit as a “dirty word” held Alisha back. Once she did the inner work around money, it became clear that being profitable and being ethical are not in conflict. You cannot pour into others from an empty company.

  
  

How Listeners Can Connect With The Guest:

You can connect with Alisha here:

• 
  

  Email: Instagram: connect via DM

  
  


• 
  

  LinkedIn: Connect with Alisha Esmail and send a direct message

  
  


• https://roadcoffeeco.com/

Alisha welcomes DMs from founders and impact driven entrepreneurs who want to talk AI, automation, ethical supply chains and building companies that give more than they take.

Want to be a guest on BizBlend? DM on PM. Send me a message on PodMatch

• 
  

  DM Me Here. https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/avik

  
  

Disclaimer. This video is for educational and informational purposes only. The views expressed are the personal opinions of the guest and do not reflect the views of the host or Healthy Mind By Avik™️. We do not intend to harm, defame or discredit any person, organization, brand, product, country or profession mentioned. All third party media used remain the property of their respective owners and are used under fair use for informational purposes. By watching, you acknowledge and accept this disclaimer.

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