What I've Learnt - Julia Tink

Julia Tink is co-founder of St Remio, the socially conscious global coffee brand.

 Melbourne mother and businesswoman Julia Tink has learnt a lifetime of business lessons over the past six years since starting her company which she says was born in Rwanda, raised in Melbourne. 

Six years ago, St Remio was founded by Julia and her husband, former Head of Lavazza Australia Trent Knox. They wanted to develop a new taste in coffee set up a business that could make a genuine difference to the lives of people somewhere in real need and recognize the most valuable part of the chain, the coffee growers.  

With approximately 70% of the world’s agricultural producers being female, they decided to create a coffee brand that not only sourced sustainable coffee but went one step further and invested back in coffee communities to empower female farmers to increase consumption and their earning capacity.  

St Remio started in Rwanda, where Trent met female farmers who weren’t even aware of the product they were growing, its value nor how it was consumed. From there, they collectively realized that not only was greater education and investment needed in these communities but also that it was important to shine a light on coffee growers and challenge consumers to stop and think about exactly where coffee comes from and the people that it impacts.  

“I’d spent 10 years working in coffee, but it was only on a trip to Rwanda in 2015 that I saw coffee for what it really was – people,” Trent said. “I realized I could do more, and with the support of my wife, embarked on a journey to change people’s mindset away from commodity to the community.”  

Deborah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/what.ive.learnt/

Mind, Film and Publishing: https://www.mindfilmandpublishing.com/

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/what-ive-learnt/id153556330

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3TQjCspxcrSi4yw2YugxBk

Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1365850