Jacqueline Arias is founder of Republica, Australia’s only 100% Fairtrade and Organic Coffee Company. Her mission is to make Fairtrade an every day choice at supermarket checkouts all over Australia. In this video interview we discuss:
- What inspired her to quit her job and get involved with the Fairtrade movement
- Her experience breaking into a close-knit, male-dominated industry, where her goal of finding quality, Fair Trade coffee was considered an impossible feat
- How she has ensured growth by enrolling Australia’s biggest chains in her vision, in an environment were success relies on partnerships and distribution.
- How she found the courage to take the plunge, mortgage her house and risk everything, in pursuit of her mission
Plus, Jacqueline passes on the lessons she has learned to others considering to take the risk and start a new business.
On Tuesday, 7 December 2010 the Sydney Morning Herald’s Short Black column reported:
Drinking chocolate from Jacqueline Arias’s Sydney-based Republica Coffee will be in the gift packs at the “Oprah House” when Oprah Winfrey hits town. Arias pitched her product direct to the US chat show queen’s people, beating many Australian firms wanting a place.
Congratulations Jacqueline. We hope this opportunity opens up new doors for Republica Coffee.
