This is the 3rd of a 5-part series with Kim Thompson and Matt Toogood from RAW Coffee Company in Dubai on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward.
In this series, which first aired on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast in June 2025, Host Lee Safar, Kim, and Matt discuss the journey of the specialty coffee shop that started it all in the Middle East - RAW Coffee Company.
In this episode of the podcast, Lee, Kim, and Matt discuss the true challenges faced by specialty coffee shops in Dubai.
The conversation highlights the financial pressures of operating in the city, from high air conditioning costs to expensive sewage removal, and the unique obstacles such as a nine-month business season due to extreme heat and Ramadan.
The episode also addresses common misconceptions about Dubai's coffee scene, emphasizing the importance of business fundamentals over mere brand building.
Tune in for an eye-opening discussion on what it really takes to run a successful coffee business in one of the world's most dynamic cities.
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