John Elliott: Clements Coffee

 
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Meet John Elliott…

John Elliott is a serial-entrepreneur from Larne, Northern Ireland.

He’s best known for starting Clements Coffee, a chain of over 10 cafes launched in 1999 that has paved the way for Belfast’s now thriving coffee scene.

(Though Clements is still the only café in NI to have held the highly acclaimed UK Barista Champion title!)

Alongside his other three businesses, John also served as the General Manager of the Belfast Giant’s Ice Hockey Team after they almost went bankrupt in 2003.

Across a four-year period, John put in place a strategic plan to enable the team to survive and he used all of his business experience to convince sponsors and fans alike that the Giants were a real positive thing for this wonderful city we call home.

In today’s episode we talk about:

  • His first memories and early experiences

  • How and why he pivoted from sport into business

  • What made him launch his first business

  • The Clements Coffee Origin Story

  • And the greatest challenges/successes he’s experienced along the way

Check it out!

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  • One thing most people don't know about you: I carried the British Universities flag alongside Dame Kelly Holmes and Steve Backley at the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1991 World Student Games in Sheffield

  • Favourite Book: Im not a prolific reader - more likely to read a business biography or listen to a podcast!

  • Favourite Quote: "Failing to prepare is preparing to fail!" - Benjamin Franklin

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How To Listen

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Thanks for listening, wanna hear more local stories?

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Thanks again to John Elliott for taking the time to share his story with us.

See you next time.

— Matt

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Matthew Thompson