EE 400 - Brewing Success: Colin Harmon's Journey from Spare Room to 3fe Coffee Empire

In this episode, we sit down with Colin Harmon, a visionary entrepreneur who transformed Ireland’s coffee culture. From starting as a barista to building 3fe, one of Ireland's most respected coffee brands, Colin shares his journey of entrepreneurship, branding, and the shifting landscape of social spaces.

We explore:

• Why traditional social spaces like banks, pubs, and churches are declining
• The power of community in business
• How Colin built 3fe from a single café to an industry leader
• The business lessons he learned through scaling and adapting
• The future of coffee culture and entrepreneurship

If you’re an aspiring founder or someone fascinated by how businesses shape culture, this episode is a must-listen!

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Show Notes:

Guest: Colin Harmon, Founder of 3fe Coffee

Topics Covered:

1. The Evolution of Social Spaces

   • Why traditional meeting points are disappearing
   • How coffee shops have replaced banks and pubs as social hubs

2. Colin’s Entrepreneurial Journey

   • How he transitioned from a finance job to coffee
   • The early struggles of starting a coffee business
   • Scaling from one café to a respected brand

3. The Business of Coffee

   • The challenges of running a specialty coffee company
   • How branding and storytelling played a key role in growth
   • Why community-driven businesses thrive

4. Lessons in Leadership & Growth

   • The mindset shifts needed to scale a business
   • Why customer experience is the most valuable asset
   • Future trends in coffee and hospitality

Resources Mentioned:

• 3fe Coffee Website
• Colin Harmon’s Book: What I Know About Running Coffee Shops
• Follow Colin on Instagram