Getting a buzz out of giving back: Bringing the community together over coffee

Renata Taylor’s journey in hospitality began straight out of school, igniting a passion that would shape her career. From pulling pints in London pubs to managing venues in Western Australia, her love for the industry grew.

“Like many young Australians, I went travelling and landed a job managing pubs in London, which was pretty cool. Before I knew it, I was working in hospitality management, and I loved it,” she says.

After returning to Australia, Taylor and her partner opened a microbrewery and gained experience in a major hotel chain. This on-the-job education set the stage for their successful ventures, including Grouch & Co coffee roasters.

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“One day we returned from the UK, and the next, we found ourselves opening a microbrewery down south. We never really had a break, transitioning straight from London to Albany, which was quite a shock!” she says.

It was when they were back in Perth and Taylor was working at the Sheraton that the seed was planted to open her own venture.

“I had an amazing role model at the Sheraton. She had worked her way from a housekeeper all the way up to general management. She had impeccable standards and she carried herself like a boss  –  she was just really inspiring. And I said to my partner, we can do this. Let’s do our own thing,” says Taylor.

This led to the creation of a cafe, which expanded to two cafes, and eventually Grouch & Co to supply freshly roasted coffee. Business was thriving until Taylor sensed an economic shift.

“Just before COVID hit, I felt something in my waters. I know that’s not a very technical term, but I could feel there was a shift coming economically. So we divested ourselves of all of our cafes except Grouch & Co, which in hindsight was the best thing we could have done,” she explains.

Grouch & Co is more than just a cafe and coffee roaster, she says. Driven by a desire to give back and support the local community, it is run as a social enterprise that supports the local community and helps women in difficult situations gain employable skills.

“We have a really robust social impact program, which focuses on diversity, equity, and inclusion. We run a program where we give disadvantaged women the opportunity to come and upskill.  We teach them that women can have fulfilling careers in the coffee industry, whether it’s being a barista or whether it’s being a green bean buyer, a training manager, or running your own business,” she says.

Building and growing the business to be able to give back was always a priority, Taylor says, and being part of supportive networks has been critical in allowing that to happen.

“Being part of DWEN has been amazing. I’ve had the most inspiring conversations about sustainability, human capital and how to change the world for good,” she says.

Recognising the importance of mentorship in entrepreneurial success, DWEN has established a mentorship program that pairs experienced entrepreneurs and Dell’s subject matter experts with emerging leaders. This initiative provides invaluable guidance, advice, and support to help mentees, such as Taylor, navigate challenges and capitalise on opportunities.

Last year, Taylor received $20,000 worth of Dell technology through the DWEN Dream Tech Competition. Unsure how to best use the funds, Taylor took advantage of the mentoring offered and advice by Dell and now uses a range of tech, including 55-inch touchscreens for on-site ordering and a laptop for roasting coffee.

“The support from Dell has been fantastic, they’re not only providing great technology for us, but also a platform to network and connect with like-minded women,” she says

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