5THWAVE - The Business of Coffee and Hospitality14 Elo

People, purpose and product – a conversation with Helen Russell, Equator Coffees

In today’s episode, we're speaking with Helen Russell, Co-Founder and Executive Chair of Californian specialty coffee business Equator Coffees.

With more than 30 years in the coffee industry, Helen has been at the forefront of the US specialty coffee movement and launched Equator Coffees with her business and life partner Brooke McDonnell in 1995. What began as a small garage roastery in the Bay Area has grown into a thriving business with 12 retail locations and a successful wholesale operation.

In this conversation, Helen shares how she and Brooke built a company around the belief that passion and profit can coexist. She also reflects on the importance of community and human connection in coffee, the role of values in building a successful business, and how commercial performance can create opportunities to make a positive impact.

Credits music: "Lighthouse" by Californian artist Haley Fishberger in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB Collective. Tune into the 5THWAVE Playlist on Spotify for more music from the show

Subscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

Tämä jakso on lisätty Podme-palveluun avoimen RSS-syötteen kautta eikä se ole Podmen omaa tuotantoa. Siksi jakso saattaa sisältää mainontaa.

Jaksot(245)

Raising the bar: a conversation with Patrik Rolf, April Coffee Roasters

In today’s episode, we're catching up with Patrik Rolf, Founder and CEO of Copenhagen-based April Coffee Roasters and its sister project, SP Coffee Shop.Founded in 2016, April is a super-premium speci...

18 Syys 47min

How technology is changing coffee

In today’s episode, we’re exploring how technology and AI is transforming coffee operations, and the importance of creating connected tech ecosystems.What are the commercial benefits of connected equi...

11 Syys 36min

If not now, when? Coffee’s path to a sustainable future

Coffee is facing a defining moment. Climate change, environmental degradation and growing pressure across the value chain are creating unprecedented risks for the future of our industry. Addressing th...

21 Elo 33min

Understanding consumer behaviour

In today’s episode, we’re exploring how coffee businesses can better understand their customers – from purchasing behaviour and evolving preferences to anticipating future trends and demand.How can co...

3 Elo 41min

Innovation, community and consumer trends – highlights from The Amsterdam Coffee Festival 2026

In today’s episode, we’re bringing you some highlights from the live conversations recorded at The Amsterdam Coffee Festival earlier this year – exploring the innovation and consumer trends shaping th...

24 Heinä 46min

Spotlight on Slow Coffee Festival in Bucharest

In today’s episode, we speak with Afshin Roshanian, co-founder of Romania’s Slow Coffee Festival.Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, Slow Coffee Festival has become one of Eastern Europe’s flagship ...

17 Heinä 16min

The importance of Good & Proper Tea

Today we’re diving into the exciting world of tea innovation with Emilie Holmes, Founder of Good & Proper Tea.Historically a challenging category for coffee operators, tea has seen a real surge in rec...

10 Heinä 46min