MAP IT FORWARD Middle East

MAP IT FORWARD
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The Map It Forward Middle East Podcast explores the business of coffee across the Middle East, featuring conversations with entrepreneurs, producers, and professionals building the future of the region’s coffee industry. Hosted by Dubai-based Map It Forward founder Lee Safar, each five-episode series highlights one guest's journey, offering practical insights, regional context, and candid discussions that reflect the evolving global coffee landscape. Episodes are released daily at 6 am local UAE time. The video version of the podcast can be found on our YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/mapitforward Our website https://www.mapitforward.coffee/middleeastpodcast

  1. EP 1015 Part 5 of 5 | How to Run a Leaner Coffee Business (Jan-Cort Hoban)

    1 DAY AGO

    EP 1015 Part 5 of 5 | How to Run a Leaner Coffee Business (Jan-Cort Hoban)

    Advertising SponsorNeed help with your business? Email us: support@mapitforward.org to learn more. Episode Description This is episode 5 of a 5-part series with Jan-Cort Hoban, founder of Mr. Hoban’s Coffee Roastery in Germany. In this series of The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, we’ve been discussing the myth of being big in the coffee business and exploring whether leaner, more intentional businesses may actually be better positioned for the future of coffee. In this final episode, Lee and Jan-Cort explore how business owners can practically begin running leaner businesses in an increasingly volatile economy. The conversation moves beyond theory and into implementation—looking at downsizing, simplifying operations, reducing unnecessary overhead, and reconnecting with the original purpose behind building a coffee business. Jan-Cort explains why many businesses may already be operating beyond what is financially or emotionally sustainable, and why now may be the right time to reassess whether growth is still serving the business or simply feeding ego and external expectations. Lee and Jan-Cort also discuss the pressure being created by inflation, rising interest rates, geopolitical instability, coffee scarcity, and changing consumer behavior—and why operators who remain agile and connected to their communities may ultimately be better equipped to survive. This episode is about taking back control of your business before external pressure takes that choice away from you. Connect with Jan-Cort Hoban and Mr. Hoban’s Coffee Roastery here: • https://www.instagram.com/mr.hobans/ • https://www.mrhoban.com/ If you found this episode valuable, make sure you’re subscribed to the podcast and follow along for the rest of this 5-part series. In the next episode, we explore how global geopolitics is impacting food supply chains. *************************************** About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain. Website: https://mapitforward.coffee Mailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglist Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/ Contact: support@mapitforward.org

    25 min
  2. EP 1014 Part 4 of 5 | The Benefits of Running a Lean Coffee Business (Jan-Cort Hoban)

    2 DAYS AGO

    EP 1014 Part 4 of 5 | The Benefits of Running a Lean Coffee Business (Jan-Cort Hoban)

    Advertising SponsorIf you find value in what we do at Map It Forward and would like to work with us or support the business, here are a few ways to get involved: • Work with us as your business advisors — support@mapitforward.org • Advertise on the podcast — support@mapitforward.org • Join our Patreon community — https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward • Subscribe to our YouTube channel — https://www.youtube.com/mapitforward • Or share this episode with someone who would benefit from it Episode Description This is episode 4 of a 5-part series with Jan-Cort Hoban, founder of Mr. Hoban’s Coffee Roastery in Germany. In this series of The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, we’re discussing the myth of being big in the coffee business and why leaner businesses may be better equipped for the future of coffee. In this episode, Lee and Jan-Cort explore the benefits of running a leaner coffee business and why downsizing may become a necessary strategy for many operators as economic pressure increases globally. The conversation examines the emotional and financial pressure that comes with maintaining large café chains, investor expectations, staffing complexity, and debt obligations—and whether many businesses are actually making less money despite becoming bigger. Jan-Cort explains why lean businesses are often more agile, more connected to their customers, and more capable of adapting to volatility in coffee prices, geopolitical instability, and changing consumer behavior. Lee and Jan-Cort also discuss ego in business ownership, the fear many operators have around downsizing, and why stepping back from aggressive expansion may actually help owners reconnect with the reason they entered coffee in the first place. This episode is an honest conversation about simplifying business before the market forces you to. Connect with Jan-Cort Hoban and Mr. Hoban’s Coffee Roastery here: • https://www.instagram.com/mr.hobans/ • https://www.mrhoban.com/ If you found this episode valuable, make sure you’re subscribed to the podcast and follow along for the rest of this 5-part series. In the next episode, we explore how global geopolitics is impacting food supply chains. *************************************** About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain. Website: https://mapitforward.coffee Mailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglist Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/ Contact: support@mapitforward.org

    20 min
  3. EP 1013 Part 3 of 5 | Why Staying Small Might Be Smarter in Coffee (Jan-Cort Hoban)

    3 DAYS AGO

    EP 1013 Part 3 of 5 | Why Staying Small Might Be Smarter in Coffee (Jan-Cort Hoban)

    Advertising SponsorWant to join our Map It Forward Monthly Community Discussion Group? Head to https://patreon.com/mapitforward to join the community by signing up to the "Roasted Coffee" tier for 20 USD per month. Find other like-minded people in the coffee industry. Episode Description This is episode 3 of a 5-part series with Jan-Cort Hoban, founder of Mr. Hoban’s Coffee Roastery in Germany. In this series of The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, we’re discussing the myth of being big in the coffee business and questioning whether growth at all costs is actually sustainable in specialty coffee. In this episode, Lee and Jan-Cort tackle one of the biggest assumptions in the coffee industry: that success automatically means becoming bigger. Jan-Cort explains why he intentionally chose to remain a small roastery, even while many businesses around him chased rapid expansion, outside investment, and multiple locations. The conversation explores the hidden pressures that come with scaling, from staffing and operational complexity to debt, rent, investor expectations, and the emotional toll of carrying a larger business structure. Lee and Jan-Cort also discuss how social media has glamorized growth in coffee, why many owners feel pressured to constantly expand, and why downsizing should not be viewed as failure. This episode is a direct challenge to the idea that “more” automatically means “better.” For some businesses, staying smaller may actually be the thing that preserves quality, values, relationships, and sanity. Connect with Jan-Cort Hoban and Mr. Hoban’s Coffee Roastery here: • https://www.instagram.com/mr.hobans/ • https://www.mrhoban.com/ If you found this episode valuable, make sure you’re subscribed to the podcast and follow along for the rest of this 5-part series. In the next episode, we explore how global geopolitics is impacting food supply chains. *************************************** About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain. Website: https://mapitforward.coffee Mailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglist Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/ Contact: support@mapitforward.org

    25 min
  4. EP 1012 Part 2 of 5 | The Reality of Running a Coffee Business (Jan-Cort Hoban)

    4 DAYS AGO

    EP 1012 Part 2 of 5 | The Reality of Running a Coffee Business (Jan-Cort Hoban)

    Advertising SponsorThis episode is brought to you by Map It Forward Podcast Advertising. Interested in advertising on this podcast. Email support@mapitforward.org to learn more. Episode Description This is episode 2 of a 5-part series with Jan-Cort Hoban, founder of Mr. Hoban’s Coffee Roastery in Germany. In this series of The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, we’re discussing the myth of being big in the coffee business and challenging many of the assumptions around growth, success, and sustainability in the coffee industry. In this episode, Lee and Jan-Cort talk openly about the reality of running a coffee business and why so many people underestimate how difficult this industry really is. The conversation explores the pressure that comes with trying to scale, the financial realities of operating in specialty coffee, and why social media often creates a distorted picture of what success in coffee actually looks like. Jan-Cort shares why he deliberately chose not to build a large company, why outside investment changes the relationship a business has with its values, and how growth often introduces pressure that ultimately impacts staff, producers, quality, and personal wellbeing. The episode also examines the growing influence of venture capital in specialty coffee, the emotional pressure business owners feel to constantly expand, and why many operators are beginning to rethink whether growth at all costs is really worth it. This is a conversation about redefining success before the industry forces you to. Connect with Jan-Cort Hoban and Mr. Hoban’s Coffee Roastery here: • https://www.instagram.com/mr.hobans/ • https://www.mrhoban.com/ If you found this episode valuable, make sure you’re subscribed to the podcast and follow along for the rest of this 5-part series. In the next episode, we explore how global geopolitics is impacting food supply chains. *************************************** About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain. Website: https://mapitforward.coffee Mailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglist Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/ Contact: support@mapitforward.org

    22 min
  5. EP 1011 Part 1 of 5 | The Myth That’s Driving People Into Coffee Business (Jan-Cort Hoban)

    5 DAYS AGO

    EP 1011 Part 1 of 5 | The Myth That’s Driving People Into Coffee Business (Jan-Cort Hoban)

    Advertising SponsorThis episode is brought to you by Arcadia Green Coffee, Colombian coffee exporters taking fresh green coffee from Colombia to the world, farm to roastery, direct.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arcadiagreencoffee/WhatsApp: https://wa.me/353877871523 Episode Description This is episode 1 of a 5-part series with Jan-Cort Hoban, founder of Mr. Hoban’s Coffee Roastery in Germany. In this series of The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, we’re discussing the myth of being big in the coffee business, why so many coffee entrepreneurs are chasing growth at all costs, and whether running a smaller, leaner business may actually be the smarter path forward in today’s coffee industry. In this first episode, Lee and Jan-Cort explore what motivates people to get into the coffee industry in the first place, and whether those motivations have fundamentally changed over the past two decades. Jan-Cort shares his journey from working in traditional coffee sales to building a values-driven coffee roasting business rooted in simplicity, direct relationships, and sustainability. The conversation dives into the rise of image-driven coffee businesses, the influence of social media and “coolness” culture in specialty coffee, and why so many business owners still misunderstand the connection between the café experience and the realities at origin. Jan-Cort also explains why he intentionally chose not to build a café empire, why he and his wife still run their roastery alone after more than 13 years, and how staying small has allowed them to remain connected to producers, customers, and their own quality of life. This episode also explores the growing movement of younger coffee producers building businesses at origin, the importance of running lean, and the tension between hyper-growth business models and more values-led approaches to coffee entrepreneurship. If you’ve ever wondered whether bigger really means better in coffee, this series is going to challenge a lot of assumptions. Connect with Jan-Cort Hoban and Mr. Hoban’s Coffee Roastery here: • https://www.instagram.com/mr.hobans/ • https://www.mrhoban.com/ If you found this episode valuable, make sure you’re subscribed to the podcast and follow along for the rest of this 5-part series. In the next episode, we explore how global geopolitics is impacting food supply chains. *************************************** About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain. Website: https://mapitforward.coffee Mailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglist Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/ Contact: support@mapitforward.org

    21 min
  6. EP 1010 Part 5 of 5 | How to Survive the Next 3 Years in Business (Frida Deguise)

    8 MAY

    EP 1010 Part 5 of 5 | How to Survive the Next 3 Years in Business (Frida Deguise)

    Advertising SponsorIf you find value in what we do at Map It Forward and would like to work with us or support the business, here are a few ways to get involved: • Work with us as your business advisors — support@mapitforward.org • Advertise on the podcast — support@mapitforward.org • Join our Patreon community — https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward • Subscribe to our YouTube channel — https://www.youtube.com/mapitforward • Or share this episode with someone who would benefit from it Episode Description This is Part 5 of a 5-part series of The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Frida Deguise, founder of L.A Donuts and Frida’s Pies in Sydney, Australia. In this series, we’ve been talking about what no one tells you about running a small business. In this final episode, Frida shares her advice for small business owners trying to navigate the next three years, and it’s not theoretical. It’s practical, blunt, and based on what she’s already seeing happen. From rising costs and shrinking margins to shifting consumer behavior, Frida explains why the next phase of small business will require owners to become more disciplined, more aware, and far more strategic than before. She talks about the importance of understanding your numbers, cutting unnecessary costs, and not being fooled into spending money on tools, systems, or equipment that don’t actually serve your business. One of the strongest takeaways from this conversation is this - you don’t need everything, you need what works! This episode is about stripping business back to what matters, and making decisions that allow you to survive, not just grow. Connect with Frida Deguise, L.A Donuts, and Frida's Pies here: - https://ladonuts.com/ - https://www.instagram.com/fridadeguise/ - https://www.instagram.com/l.adonuts/ - https://www.instagram.com/fridas.pies/ If you found this episode valuable, make sure you’re subscribed to the podcast and follow along for the rest of this 5-part series. In the next episode, we explore how global geopolitics is impacting food supply chains. *************************************** About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain. Website: https://mapitforward.coffee Mailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglist Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/ Contact: support@mapitforward.org

    22 min
  7. EP 1009 Part 4 of 5 | What’s Coming for Small Business (& Why Most Don’t See It Yet) (Frida Deguise)

    7 MAY

    EP 1009 Part 4 of 5 | What’s Coming for Small Business (& Why Most Don’t See It Yet) (Frida Deguise)

    Advertising SponsorWant to join our Map It Forward Monthly Community Discussion Group? Head to https://patreon.com/mapitforward to join the community by signing up to the "Roasted Coffee" tier for 20 USD per month. Find other like-minded people in the coffee industry. Episode Description This is Part 4 of a 5-part series of The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Frida Deguise, founder of L.A Donuts and Frida’s Pies in Sydney, Australia. In this series, we’re talking about what no one tells you about running a small business. In this episode, we move beyond the internal challenges of running a business and look at what’s happening externally, specifically the economic pressure building across supply chains and consumer behavior. Frida shares what she is seeing in real time: • Suppliers changing how they operate. • Relationships being replaced by automation. • Credit tightening. • Stock shortages becoming more common. What’s striking is that, from her perspective, businesses are already feeling the pressure, but consumers haven’t caught up yet. That gap matters. Because while small businesses are absorbing rising costs, adjusting products, and trying to maintain customer loyalty, the underlying system is becoming more fragile. This episode is a grounded look at what’s happening beneath the surface, and why many small businesses are preparing for what comes next, even if the wider market isn’t paying attention yet. Connect with Frida Deguise, L.A Donuts, and Frida's Pies here: - https://ladonuts.com/ - https://www.instagram.com/fridadeguise/ - https://www.instagram.com/l.adonuts/ - https://www.instagram.com/fridas.pies/ If you found this episode valuable, make sure you’re subscribed to the podcast and follow along for the rest of this 5-part series. In the next episode, we explore how global geopolitics is impacting food supply chains. *************************************** About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain. Website: https://mapitforward.coffee Mailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglist Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/ Contact: support@mapitforward.org

    23 min
  8. EP 1008 Part 3 of 5 | The Reality of Staff, Stress, and Survival (Frida Deguise)

    6 MAY

    EP 1008 Part 3 of 5 | The Reality of Staff, Stress, and Survival (Frida Deguise)

    Advertising SponsorThis episode is brought to you by Map It Forward Podcast Advertising. Interested in advertising on this podcast. Email support@mapitforward.org to learn more. Episode Description This is Part 3 of a 5-part series of The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Frida Deguise, founder of L.A Donuts and Frida’s Pies in Sydney, Australia. In this series, we’re talking about what no one tells you about running a small business. In this episode, we get into the hardest parts of owning a business, and this isn’t theoretical. Frida talks about the reality of managing people, the emotional toll of leadership, and the pressure that comes with being responsible for everything—especially when things go wrong. What stands out in this conversation is how much of the difficulty isn’t the product or the customers. It’s people, expectations, and the constant tension between trying to do the right thing and protecting your business. This episode is a direct look at what wears business owners down over time—and why so many don’t make it through. Connect with Frida Deguise, L.A Donuts, and Frida's Pies here: - https://ladonuts.com/ - https://www.instagram.com/fridadeguise/ - https://www.instagram.com/l.adonuts/ - https://www.instagram.com/fridas.pies/ If you found this episode valuable, make sure you’re subscribed to the podcast and follow along for the rest of this 5-part series. In the next episode, we explore how global geopolitics is impacting food supply chains. *************************************** About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain. Website: https://mapitforward.coffee Mailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglist Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/ Contact: support@mapitforward.org

    27 min
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About

The Map It Forward Middle East Podcast explores the business of coffee across the Middle East, featuring conversations with entrepreneurs, producers, and professionals building the future of the region’s coffee industry. Hosted by Dubai-based Map It Forward founder Lee Safar, each five-episode series highlights one guest's journey, offering practical insights, regional context, and candid discussions that reflect the evolving global coffee landscape. Episodes are released daily at 6 am local UAE time. The video version of the podcast can be found on our YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/mapitforward Our website https://www.mapitforward.coffee/middleeastpodcast

Information

  • Creator
    MAP IT FORWARD
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    301
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 MAP IT FORWARD | All Rights Reserved 512477
  • Show Website
    MAP IT FORWARD Middle East