Ep 6: Jack Foster of Crosby Coffee, on starting a business in his early twenties and the importance of having a business mentor

Lindsey Moore: In Conversation with SMEs (Seriously Motivated Entrepreneurs)

As a coffee lover and Crosby-born girl I was super excited to interview Jack Foster, founder of Crosby Coffee, an independent coffee roastery based in Crosby, Liverpool which is dedicated to sourcing, roasting and serving unique coffees from all around the world.
I first came across Crosby Coffee about five years ago on one of my frequent trips home to visit family. I popped into Crosby Coffee and was captivated by the enthusiasm and knowledge of the staff who's passion for coffee drew me in and gave me a whole new appreciation for something I'd always enjoyed but taken for granted. I learnt about their 'bean to cup' journey, where the various beans originated from; in some cases I discovered the stories of the people who grew the beans, and I gained an insight into the art of Crosby Coffe's roasting and hand blending process to create coffee that is unique. I literally drank it in.

Jack developed a passion and interest in coffee roasting almost ten years ago after visiting roasteries frequently when down in London. He began roasting and blending coffee at his mums house as a hobby. He says he was drawn into the ‘rabbit hole’ of wanting to learn more and more about coffee. The popularity of his blends soon stretched beyond family and friends who he was giving it away to and local people began seeking him out at local food markets.

Seven years later Crosby Coffee has a successful retail café, a wholesale arm which supplies Crosby Coffee to bars, cafes and restaurants, and they have an online business which sells roasting equipment and coffee subscriptions delivered to your door.

During our conversation Jack talks about how, from a very young age he always wanted to run his own business, inspired by his auntie and uncle who owned their own business where he loved to spend time the school holidays - his uncle is still a mentor to him now. We talk about the love he has for his home town and the pull he felt to move back home and bring something new and exciting to his local community.

And we talk about the impact of the pandemic on our daily routines, which pre Covid often involved picking up a coffee on the way into the office, and even though our routines may have changed our love of coffee remains which Jack has witnessed in the growth of his home brewing equipment and online coffee subscription service.

So, grab yourself a coffee and sit back…I think you’re going to enjoy this.