Starting a Product Business: Lessons From Building an International Coffee Brand - Jason Harvey

What does it really take to start a product-based business from scratch and grow it into something that reaches international markets? In this episode, I’m joined by Jason Harvey, founder of **Common Coffee**, a specialty coffee roastery based just outside Edinburgh that now supplies wholesale customers, retail consumers, and international markets including Dubai and the US. Jason’s journey didn’t begin with a perfect business plan. It started with an events business, a chance moment at a music festival, and a willingness to follow curiosity rather than certainty. We talk about how Common Coffee was built from the ground up, including how Jason went from refurbishing a forgotten coffee roaster in a Scottish workshop to launching at the London Coffee Festival just six weeks later. This is a conversation about momentum, decision-making, and what really happens after you “launch” a business. One of the biggest themes in this conversation is that building a product business takes far longer than most people expect. Jason shares how early momentum came from action and deadlines not perfection and how real growth comes from staying consistent long after the launch moment. We also talk about how setbacks don’t always block progress. In Jason’s case, a £35K packaging error became the unexpected catalyst for expanding into the US market. **Find Jason Here:** Website - https://commoncoffee.co.uk/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/iicommon Instagram - @iicommon LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-harvey-a28721198/ & https://www.linkedin.com/company/common-coffee/?viewAsMember=true Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@BedofRoasters **LET’S CONNECT** **Follow me on YouTube** **Find me on Instagram** **Work with me** **Buy My Book: Bring Your Product Idea To Life** **If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support** **Chapters:** 00:00 Introduction to Jason Harvey and Common Coffee 01:01 How a coffee roastery started from an unexpected opportunity 09:10 Taking a business idea from concept to launch in six weeks 11:58 Why deadlines create momentum in a startup 15:35 Building confidence through community and loyal customers 17:29 Expanding internationally through trade shows and networking 19:54 Growing wholesale and online sales together 27:49 Working with family and building the right team 35:15 Turning mistakes into opportunities 38:41 Advice for anyone thinking about starting a business 43:09 What Jason would do differently if he started again 44:51 Jason's number one piece of advice for product business owners Mentioned in this episode: **Free call for Amazon Sellers** I’m running a free call on 6 May for anyone selling on Amazon (or planning to) who’d like some practical support and a chance to talk things through together. It’ll be very relaxed - a mix of updates from me on how best to get Amazon reviews, Q&A and discussion. It’s fine to come along and chat, or to just sit back and listen. I’d love to see you there if you’re able to join. Amazon Sellers Support & Connect **Amazon Made Easy is now open** My membership, Amazon Made Easy is now open. It’s a membership for people who are selling on Amazon (or planning to) and want regular access to support, somewhere to ask questions and talk things through, and a bit of structure and accountability as they grow. Inside, there are live Q&A calls, optional co-working sessions and a small, supportive community. Find out more: https://vickiweinberg.com/membership membership