EP 1026 Part 1 of 5 | Technology Is Not The Solution. It's A Tool (Patreon Discussion Group) | Map It Forward

EP 1026 Part 1 of 5 | Technology Is Not The Solution. It's A Tool (Patreon Discussion Group) | Map It Forward

Advertising Sponsor This episode is brought to you by Map It Forward Podcast Advertising. Interested in advertising on this podcast. Email support@mapitforward.org [support@mapitforward.org?subject=I%27m%20interested%20in%20Advertising%20on%20the%20MIF%20podcast]to learn more. Episode Description This is episode 1 of a 5-part series from a Patreon Discussion Group hosted by Map It Forward Founder, Lee Safar. In this series of The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, we're discussing the role technology and data could play in solving some of the biggest challenges facing the coffee industry. This conversation was never intended to become a podcast. It originally took place as part of one of Map It Forward's monthly Patreon Discussion Groups, where coffee professionals from across the value chain gather to explore important industry topics. The conversation was so insightful that everyone involved agreed it should be shared publicly. In this episode, Lee Safar is joined by Oscar Montoya (Data Scientist and Coffee Farm Owner), Luci Reid (Agroecologist), Matthew Thornton (Founder of Arkena Coffee Marketplace), Samo Smrke (Coffee Scientist), and Liam O'Connell (Business Analyst). The discussion begins with a framework presented by Oscar Montoya that places people and processes ahead of technology. Together, the group explores why so many technology projects fail despite good intentions, why adoption remains one of the biggest challenges in coffee innovation, and whether the industry is spending enough time identifying the problems that actually need solving. The conversation also examines the difference between technology adoption in equipment manufacturing versus adoption at origin, the role of data as an asset, and why farmer-centred design may be critical to creating meaningful change in coffee. This episode lays the foundation for the rest of the series by asking a simple but important question: Are we focusing on technology, or are we focusing on solving problems? To join our monthly discussion groups on Patreon, head to https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward [https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward] and signup to our "Roasted Coffee Tier" for $20 per month. If you found this episode valuable, make sure you’re subscribed to the podcast and follow along for the rest of this 5-part series. In the next episode, we explore how global geopolitics is impacting food supply chains. *************************************** About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain. Website: ht [https://mapitforward.coffee]tps://mapitforward.coffee [https://mapitforward.coffee/workshops] Mailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglist [https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglist] Patreon: https: [https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward]//www.patreon.com/mapitforward [https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/ [https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/] Contact: support@mapitforward.org [support@mapitforward.org?]

EP 1025 Part 5 of 5 | How Coffee Business Models Are Changing (Nawar Adra) | Map It Forward

Advertising Sponsor Need help with your business? Email us: support@mapitforward.org [support@mapitforward.org?subject=Looking%20for%20a%20business%20consultant] to learn more. Episode Description This is episode 5 of a 5-part series with Stitch Coffee founder, Nawar Adra, and Map It Forward Founder, Lee Safar. In this series of The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, we’re discussing what it takes to expand a coffee business in this economy, and in this final episode we zoom out to look at how the coffee business model itself is changing. Nawar explains how the work of running a coffee business has shifted from making coffee and cleaning to managing prep, systems, operating procedures, communication platforms, menu engineering, and a much more demanding operational environment. He argues that consumer behavior is changing too, and that understanding human behavior is now just as important as understanding extraction. Lee and Nawar also explore why Gen Z customers may still come back to espresso and flat whites, why creativity has to be balanced by profitable staples, what venture capital means for the industry, and what China reveals about speed, experimentation, and event culture. The episode closes the series by asking not just how to survive change, but how to build a business that can keep evolving with it. Connect with Nawar Adra and Stitch Coffee here: - https://www.instagram.com/stitch.coffee/ [https://www.instagram.com/stitch.coffee/] - https://stitch.coffee/ [https://stitch.coffee/] - https://www.instagram.com/nawar.adra/ [https://www.instagram.com/nawar.adra/] - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nawar-adra-12909516a/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nawar-adra-12909516a/] If you found this episode valuable, make sure you’re subscribed to the podcast and follow along for the rest of this 5-part series. In the next episode, we explore how global geopolitics is impacting food supply chains. *************************************** About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain. Website: ht [https://mapitforward.coffee]tps://mapitforward.coffee [https://mapitforward.coffee/workshops] Mailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglist [https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglist] Patreon: https: [https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward]//www.patreon.com/mapitforward [https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/ [https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/] Contact: support@mapitforward.org [support@mapitforward.org?]

EP 1024 Part 4 of 5 | Is This Economy Built for Risk-Takers? (Nawar Adra) | Map It Forward

Advertising Sponsor If you find value in what we do at Map It Forward and would like to work with us or support the business, here are a few ways to get involved: • Work with us as your business advisors — support@mapitforward.org [support@mapitforward.org?subject=Interested%20in%20MIF%20Business%20Advisory%20Services&bcc=lee%40mapitforward.org] • Advertise on the podcast — support@mapitforward.org [support@mapitforward.org?subject=I%27m%20interested%20in%20advertising%20on%20the%20podcast&bcc=lee%40mapitforward.org] • Join our Patreon community — https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward [https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward] • Subscribe to our YouTube channel — https://www.youtube.com/mapitforward [https://www.youtube.com/mapitforward] • Or share this episode with someone who would benefit from it Episode Description This is episode 4 of a 5-part series with Stitch Coffee founder, Nawar Adra, and Map It Forward Founder, Lee Safar. In this series of The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, we’re discussing what it takes to expand a coffee business in this economy, and in this episode we focus directly on what “this economy” actually means. Lee and Nawar compare the current market to the era when many coffee businesses were built by copying what seemed to work around them. That world is gone. In its place is a tougher environment where brand clarity, innovation, operational discipline, and multiple revenue streams matter far more than just opening another cafe that looks like everyone else. The conversation covers why generic coffee businesses are now a dangerous bet, why e-commerce is harder than many operators want to admit, how government policy affects risk appetite in Australia, and why businesses that built patiently over time may now be the best positioned. This episode is direct, practical, and especially relevant for anyone still assuming old coffee playbooks will work in the market we have now. Connect with Nawar Adra and Stitch Coffee here: - https://www.instagram.com/stitch.coffee/ [https://www.instagram.com/stitch.coffee/] - https://stitch.coffee/ [https://stitch.coffee/] - https://www.instagram.com/nawar.adra/ [https://www.instagram.com/nawar.adra/] - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nawar-adra-12909516a/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nawar-adra-12909516a/] If you found this episode valuable, make sure you’re subscribed to the podcast and follow along for the rest of this 5-part series. In the next episode, we explore how global geopolitics is impacting food supply chains. *************************************** About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain. Website: ht [https://mapitforward.coffee]tps://mapitforward.coffee [https://mapitforward.coffee/workshops] Mailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglist [https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglist] Patreon: https: [https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward]//www.patreon.com/mapitforward [https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/ [https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/] Contact: support@mapitforward.org [support@mapitforward.org?]

EP 1023 Part 3 of 5 | The Real Risk in Growing a Coffee Brand (Nawar Adra) | Map It Forward

Advertising Sponsor Want to join our Map It Forward Monthly Community Discussion Group? Head to https://patreon.com/mapitforward [https://patreon.com/mapitforward] to join the community by signing up to the "Roasted Coffee" tier for 20 USD per month. Find other like-minded people in the coffee industry. Episode Description This is episode 3 of a 5-part series with Stitch Coffee founder, Nawar Adra, and Map It Forward Founder, Lee Safar. In this series of The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, we’re discussing what it takes to expand a coffee business in this economy, and this episode goes straight to the heart of growth: risk. Nawar explains that he doesn’t see risk as a spreadsheet exercise alone. He sees it through hospitality, human interaction, and what a brand can make people feel. That perspective shapes how he thinks about expansion into China, how he handles difficult customer interactions, and why engagement often matters more than trying to impress people with coffee jargon. Lee and Nawar also talk about generosity as a growth tool, saying no to deals that look good too quickly, investing in technology as a strategic barrier, and why branding can be an even bigger risk than people. This is a candid conversation about instinct, discipline, founder ego, and what it really means to build something bigger than yourself. Connect with Nawar Adra and Stitch Coffee here: - https://www.instagram.com/stitch.coffee/ [https://www.instagram.com/stitch.coffee/] - https://stitch.coffee/ [https://stitch.coffee/] - https://www.instagram.com/nawar.adra/ [https://www.instagram.com/nawar.adra/] - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nawar-adra-12909516a/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nawar-adra-12909516a/] If you found this episode valuable, make sure you’re subscribed to the podcast and follow along for the rest of this 5-part series. In the next episode, we explore how global geopolitics is impacting food supply chains. *************************************** About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain. Website: ht [https://mapitforward.coffee]tps://mapitforward.coffee [https://mapitforward.coffee/workshops] Mailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglist [https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglist] Patreon: https: [https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward]//www.patreon.com/mapitforward [https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/ [https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/] Contact: support@mapitforward.org [support@mapitforward.org?]

EP 1022 Part 2 of 5 | How Smart Coffee Businesses Decide What to Grow (Nawar Adra) | Map It Forward

Advertising Sponsor This episode is brought to you by Map It Forward Podcast Advertising. Interested in advertising on this podcast. Email support@mapitforward.org [support@mapitforward.org?subject=I%27m%20interested%20in%20Advertising%20on%20the%20MIF%20podcast]to learn more. Episode Description This is episode 2 of a 5-part series with Stitch Coffee founder, Nawar Adra, and Map It Forward Founder, Lee Safar. In this series of The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, we’re discussing what it takes to expand a coffee business in this economy, and in this episode we focus on one of the hardest parts of growth: deciding what actually deserves more investment. Nawar explains that growth decisions become clearer when operators stop thinking romantically and start reading the business properly. He talks through how Stitch looks at years of P&L history, margin pressure, department-level performance, and real market adoption before deciding where to keep pushing and where to stop. The conversation moves through RTDs, drip bags, steeped coffee, and why some products fail not because they’re bad, but because the market infrastructure isn’t there yet. Lee and Nawar also discuss why great operators need to study brands outside coffee, how strategy becomes sharper with maturity, and why sequence matters in growth. This is a practical episode about data, product discipline, and getting honest enough to cut what isn’t working so you can back what is. Connect with Nawar Adra and Stitch Coffee here: - https://www.instagram.com/stitch.coffee/ [https://www.instagram.com/stitch.coffee/] - https://stitch.coffee/ [https://stitch.coffee/] - https://www.instagram.com/nawar.adra/ [https://www.instagram.com/nawar.adra/] - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nawar-adra-12909516a/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nawar-adra-12909516a/] If you found this episode valuable, make sure you’re subscribed to the podcast and follow along for the rest of this 5-part series. In the next episode, we explore how global geopolitics is impacting food supply chains. *************************************** About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain. Website: ht [https://mapitforward.coffee]tps://mapitforward.coffee [https://mapitforward.coffee/workshops] Mailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglist [https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglist] Patreon: https: [https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward]//www.patreon.com/mapitforward [https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/ [https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/] Contact: support@mapitforward.org [support@mapitforward.org?]