EE 401 - Brewing Success: Colin Harmon's Journey from Spare Room to 3fe Coffee Empire
Description
In this episode, we sit down with Colin Harmon, a visionary entrepreneur who transformed Ireland’s coffee culture. From starting as a barista to building 3fe, one of Ireland's most respected coffee brands, Colin shares his journey of entrepreneurship, branding, and the shifting landscape of social spaces.
We explore:
- Why traditional social spaces like banks, pubs, and churches are declining
- The power of community in business
- How Colin built 3fe from a single café to an industry leader
- The business lessons he learned through scaling and adapting
- The future of coffee culture and entrepreneurship
If you’re an aspiring founder or someone fascinated by how businesses shape culture, this episode is a must-listen!
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Show Notes:
Guest: Colin Harmon, Founder of 3fe Coffee
Topics Covered:
-
The Evolution of Social Spaces
- Why traditional meeting points are disappearing
- How coffee shops have replaced banks and pubs as social hubs
-
Colin’s Entrepreneurial Journey
- How he transitioned from a finance job to coffee
- The early struggles of starting a coffee business
- Scaling from one café to a respected brand
-
The Business of Coffee
- The challenges of running a specialty coffee company
- How branding and storytelling played a key role in growth
- Why community-driven businesses thrive
-
Lessons in Leadership & Growth
- The mindset shifts needed to scale a business
- Why customer experience is the most valuable asset
- Future trends in coffee and hospitality
Resources Mentioned:
- 3fe Coffee Website
- Colin Harmon’s Book: What I Know About Running Coffee Shops
- Follow Colin on Instagram
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