It was our extreme privilege to attend an event on Wednesday 10th September 2025 to celebrate the 20 year anniversary of Bean There Coffee Company.
Our first trip to origin (and many subsequently), was with Jonathan Robinson to Ethiopia in 2016. It was also with Sarah Robinson, his sister and our cover star of Issue 2. We couldn't have had a better introduction to coffee travel and that trip was a turning point for us in understanding a different layer of what coffee means and has informed our decisions in this media business ever since.
It was clearly evident, by the number and enthusiasm of the people in the room on Wednesday night, that Bean There Coffee Company has impacted the lives of many.
The formalities were opened by Jono's wife, Nicole, with a lovely tribute to Jono and his vision for the company right at the start of Bean There, that it should benefit people rather than focus on profit. Their mantra... "What's the worst that could happen!" We love it! (and can relate!)
Jonathan (Jono as he is affectionately known) has led Bean There with conviction and with people at its heart. All the farmers he makes an effort to see and buy coffee from have become part of the Bean There family, and this was evident when the team (unbeknown to Jono) played a video made up of clips from coffee farmers all over Africa sending their personal messages of congratulations and appreciation to Jon and Bean There for the Direct Trade support and loyalty over the years. Not a dry eye in the house!
Below are a few candid photos from the night, from our own perspective, and we just want to say to Jono, Sarah and all of the Bean There Family - Congratulations! You are an example to the coffee community of what it means to put people ahead of profit in a coffee business.
Here's to the next 20 years!
Nicole opening the formalities, followed by Jono. Their shared, consistent mindset: "What's the worst that could happen?"
Pic 1: Simphiwe, Jono, Tim and Brilliant. Pic 2: Mel, Jono and Iain. Pic 3: Bean There's beautiful new packaging (The Sidamo matched Mel's dress, she was pleased!)
Tom, Waseem, Andrew, Jono, Iain and Brilliant, (and much later) Waseem and Mel in a "networking" moment - arguing, laughing, debating and solving the world's problems.
