Iris & June, one of our wholesale partners, hit a milestone this year: ten years since they first opened their doors. Our Senior Account Manager, Emily, had a chat with Jodie, the owner of this café and our long-time partner. Over the past decade, Iris & June has grown from an idea into a bustling spot known for its cosy vibe, great coffee, and good food.
For their anniversary, they've created special coffee labels for their Ozone coffee bags, with illustrations by Marcus Phelan, a former Iris & June employee. In this interview, Emily talks to Jodie about the road so far, the hurdles she's overcome, and the wins that have made Iris & June one of London's favourite spots.
Emily: Hi Jodie, can you tell us a bit about how you got started with Iris and June and what inspired you to open ten years ago?
Jodie: Absolutely. I used to work in a typical 9 to 5 office job in marketing. It wasn't something I cared about, and I wasn't very good at it. The highlight of my day was visiting my local coffee shop, getting a great coffee, and enjoying the vibe. I've always loved food and coffee and wanted to make that my job. So, I left my job, trained as a barista at some of London's well-known coffee shops, and eventually decided to create a place where people would feel truly welcomed, a highlight of their day. It wasn't easy. My boss at the time even fired me, predicting I'd pour all my money down the drain. That moment, on a cold, snowy London day, was tough. But it gave me the determination to prove everyone wrong and make my dream a reality. And here we are, ten years later.
E: What were some of the biggest challenges you faced when you first opened?
J: The biggest challenge was meeting the opening date deadline. It meant hiring whoever was available, not necessarily the right fit. Creating the culture and vibe I wanted took time. You end up having to manage and do everything yourself. It takes a while to get the right people around you. Finding and building the right team was the biggest challenge.
E: How has your business evolved since you opened?
J: Initially, we didn't realise how important the food side would become. Customers came for the coffee but returned for the food. In 2016, we started offering table service brunch on weekends, which everyone loved. It was really good for the staff too, because it changed what they were doing day to day, and they enjoyed that. Covid changed the whole dynamic, since people weren't really around. We couldn't get chefs, so we had to stop, but we hope to bring it back in the future. It was amazing seeing people travel from outside London for our brunch.
E: You've been using Ozone since day one. What drew you to Ozone, and why have you continued to work with us?
J: From the start, James and Lizzie completely understood what we were trying to create. It was easy from the start. The relationship was supportive and collaborative, and it's been like that ever since. Ozone has been a real partner in our business, not just a supplier.
E: Could you share a memorable experience you've had with Ozone over the years?
J: There are so many. Ozone throws great parties. I remember the first couple of parties back in the day, it was just the original wholesale customers, really intimate, really fun. One in particular was quite funny: Ozone hosted a latte art competition. Macca, Ozone's previous CEO, entered despite not being able to pour latte art. He just dumped his milk into the coffee and walked off. It was hilarious.
E: Can you describe the impact that Ozone Coffee has had on your local customers and staff?
J: When customers see Ozone Coffee on the bar, there's an immediate recognition of quality and consistency. People love the brand and they'll talk to us about it: Ozone's commitment to sustainability, how the staff at Ozone's own cafés always seem to be enjoying themselves. When customers come here and see we serve Ozone, they know what they're getting.
E: Your baristas contribute a lot to making great coffee for your customers. How do you ensure they maintain such high standards?
J: Training matters, and Ozone supports us a lot with that. Consistency is key, especially for customers like I was, where a good coffee can be the highlight of their day. Given the cost of a good coffee nowadays, it has to be worth it, and that's why we prioritise quality.
E: What does celebrating ten years in business mean to you?
J: It's a huge milestone. I get emotional and overwhelmed hearing how much this place means to our customers and staff, past and present, because it's so personal to me. We built a successful business and then Covid hit and it nearly destroyed us. It's definitely been tough at times, wondering if we'd get through the next month. But here we are on the other side. I feel like we're through the worst of it, and I'm really proud. We've weathered the storm and we're still here, and that means so much.
E: What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs looking to open their own coffee shop or business?
J: Don't do it unless you care about it completely. When things get tough, it's incredibly hard to keep going. But on the flip side, if you're all in and you believe in yourself and your idea, then go for it.
E: Are there any current trends in the coffee or hospitality industry that excite you?
J: I think businesses that stand the test of time stick to what they do well and aren't distracted by what others are doing or what the current trend is. We're constantly reminding ourselves to focus on what we do best: great coffee, great food, great atmosphere. If we can nail those three things day in, day out and stay consistent, I feel like we're doing a good job.
E: You're probably setting trends for future businesses and entrepreneurs. Your business model is thriving and you're sticking to something that's worked well for ten years. You've done a great job.
J: Thank you, that's very kind. It's a big team effort and I'm thankful for everyone who's played a part in helping us get here.
You can visit Iris & June in the heart of Victoria or their takeaway site in Holborn.