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Take risks and surround yourself with like-minded

The CoffeeMate fresh, high quality coffee and coffee machines

Please introduce yourself and your start-up The Coffee Mate to our readers!

We are an international omnichannel retailer for coffee and coffee machines, operating in Europe under locally created names in each market. In UK we are The Coffee Mate.

How did you get the idea of Coffee Mate?

Our journey to success began in 2010, in a small Lithuanian attic, where two friends Vytautas and Aurimas – founders and current CEOs of The Coffee Mate group decided to pursue their dream in coffee business. Passion for coffee and circle of friends grew rapidly. Now, according to “Business Research Center Group” study, we are one of leading retailers in coffee and coffee machine industry in Baltic states. Since our dream was always to share good coffee with the rest of the world, in 2016 we started our UK project – opened an e-shop https://www.thecoffeemate.co.uk/ . 

Why did you decide to start with Coffee Mate?

It was a natural continuation of the company’s development. After a successful start in the Baltic States, the time has come for other markets: Finland, Poland. Since our business model worked well in those countries, we decided to expand further to the West and choose the UK. Today we are operating in 10 countries and have 16 physical shops there. 

What is the vision behind Coffee Mate?  

Our vision is to become the most attractive retailer in Europe’s coffee market. We work to make all the best moments of your life flavoured with fresh, high quality coffee.

How difficult was the start and which challenges you had to overcome?

It’s not easy to start something new, but we are ambitious – once we noticed we can grow as long as we put the effort it, it motived us to do more than we ever imagined. The main challenges were to find like-minded, motivated people who shared our passion and ambition. It’s challenging to enter new markets where nobody knows you and culture is different, but we learned to adopt and understand local differences. 

Who is your target audience?

Our target audience is very broad – from young people to seniors who simply love good quality coffee.

What is the USP (unique selling proposition) of your start-up? 

That are Friendliness, Competence, Passion for Coffee and Simplicity. 

We value friendship. And we seek to establish a sincere relationship with every customer, colleague, business partner. We are attentive and able to offer what is the most important and preferable for each person.

Can you describe your typical workday?

Our typical workday starts, of course, with a perfect cup of coffee, following review and analysis of current results in each of our 10 markets, numerous meetings, planning and simply chatting with our employees, as we call each other – coffee mates.  

Where do you see yourself and your start-up in five years?

The goal of The Coffee Mate Group is to become the most attractive coffee partner in Europe. We want to be known for top quality products and impeccable customer service. 

What 3 tips would you give other Start-up founders on the way?

Be ambitious, even if it looks impossible – the right amount of persistence, hard-work and positive attitude will help reach your goals. Take risks and surround yourself with like-minded, positive people that truly believe in your vision. 

More information you will find here

Thank you for the Interview

Statements of the author and the interviewee do not necessarily represent the editors and the publisher opinion again.

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