Hey Ashley, thanks for sitting down with us. How long have you been in the area?

Well, we’ve actually been up in Kensal Rise for the past nine years, and opened the Notting Hill branch two years ago.

What was your journey to start your business?

My friends originally got me involved over 9 years ago while I was an operations manager at Apple, and before that I worked for Hugo Boss for 10 years. It was definitely a steep learning curve and huge change. I used to be one of those people who would order a Starbucks caramel latte. It's great working for yourself, and on the tired days, you know you’ve always got caffeine, which makes things a bit easier. Waking up at half 4, roasting beans, you have coffee.

Any fond or funny memories about being here?

It is really about meeting so many interesting customers, for both good and bad reasons. It’s interesting hearing people’s conversations, especially in such an affluent area, sometimes I think: sounds like a real first world problem!
Also, of course meeting all the other local businesses, Couverture & The Garbstore is great, everyone helps each other out. For example, if we run out of cup carriers we just run next door and vice versa.

It's also interesting hearing stories from both tourists and locals. We have so many regulars as well as flows of tourists. I really didn't expect so many regular locals - I thought it was going to be mainly tourists.