Women-led local coffee entrepreneurs: Let's Coopi Roasters' journey to success
In the bustling world of coffee, Let's Coopi Roasters is making a mark not only for its exceptional brews but also for its commitment to community and inclusivity.
Let's Coopi Roasters, a female-owned local coffee roasting company, is making waves in the industry for its dedication to quality coffee and customer relationships while aiming to create an academy for vocational training and job opportunities for persons with disabilities (PWD).
Founded by Hamiza Hamzah, this local coffee roasting company is dedicated to cultivating quality coffee while fostering strong customer relationships.
Beyond her passion for coffee, Hamiza is a freelance behavioural therapist specialising in working with autistic children and teenagers.
When she is not crafting the perfect roast, she showcases her musical talents as a drummer for local bands like Primrosz and The Field of Innocence.
Hamiza shared that Let's Coopi Roasters began during the Covid-19 pandemic while she was still a therapist at a prestigious autism centre.
“The lockdown motivated me to start something new, as I had been a long-time coffee enthusiast. We launched in 2020 with bottled lattes and over time, expanded into coffee roasting. Now in our fourth year, Alhamdulillah, we supply coffee beans throughout Malaysia.
“What sparked my interest in the coffee roasting business was back in 2017 when I met a female roaster at a coffee shop. Her name is Jamie Chin and we have stayed in touch ever since. She inspired me because female coffee roasters are quite rare and I began dreaming of becoming one myself.
“I did not see myself as a barista, even though I had been a homebrewer for a long time. That dream stayed with me until 2021 when I met another mentor, Noriena Hassan, who has been in the coffee industry for over 20 years. I learned so much from her and eventually started roasting independently, though we still keep in touch,” she said.
Hamiza emphasised that her genuine passion is in roasting coffee, rather than brewing it. She explained that the entire journey from roasting to brewing and finally sharing the crafted coffee, is profoundly fulfilling.
She delights in allowing others to experience the unique flavours they create at Let’s Coopi Roasters.
Hamiza also said that what sets her business apart is its emphasis on customer service.
“We are friendly, approachable and many of our customers have become friends. We enjoy sharing our knowledge about coffee and even offer consultations for those wanting to customise their own beans.
“Quality is a priority and we are proud to be working directly with coffee farms to ensure the best beans, from the source to the roaster. We primarily focus on supplying coffee beans, but we go beyond just delivering the product. We foster deeper relationships with our clients by offering consultations and coffee-tasting sessions.
“Business owners, cafe operators and retailers can come in, sample our coffee and choose the right blend for their needs. If the coffee suits their preferences, we provide tailored packages for their cafes. For homebrewers and retail customers, we offer smaller packs, ensuring everyone can enjoy our beans at a scale that suits them,” she added.
Hamiza revealed that Let’s Coopi Roasters initially concentrated on supplying cafes located outside the Klang Valley, especially along the East Coast.
“One of our long-standing clients is revival.trg in Kerteh, Terengganu, a woman-owned cafe with whom we have built a close relationship over the past three years. In the Klang Valley, we supply notable cafes like NUFF Coffee in Shah Alam and Calibrate in Petaling Jaya.
“Our reach has expanded significantly, with many cafes in the Klang Valley now using our beans and our farthest client being in Brunei. We source our coffee directly from countries like Indonesia, Brazil and Ethiopia, but now we have established strong relationships with farms in Costa Rica and Indonesia.
“By working directly with these farmers, our goal is to educate coffee enthusiasts about the origins of their coffee. While many people are familiar with terms like Arabica or Robusta, they may not know where their coffee actually comes from.
“Interestingly, Malaysia also grows coffee, specifically the Liberica variety. We have partnered with a farm in Batu Pahat, Johor and coffee lovers can experience Malaysian beans right here at Let's Coopi Roasters,” she said.
As a female-led business, Hamiza acknowledged that Let’s Coopi Roasters encountered various challenges, shedding light on the most significant ones.
“First, there is the persistent issue of gender bias, particularly concerning trust in the industry, where most baristas and coffee workers are male. While not everyone shares this bias, gaining acceptance and support has been a journey, especially in a market that can be selective.
“There were times when I felt discouraged because my products were not being embraced, but I reminded myself of my passion for this business and why I started it in the first place.
“I refused to let setbacks deter me from doing what I love. Roasting coffee beans, supplying them and sharing that joy with others,” she said.
Hamiza also pointed out that financial considerations have posed their own challenges, yet she remains grateful that her business has persevered through them all.
“When I first started the business, I thought competing with big brands, especially on pricing, seemed impossible since they can offer lower prices. However, I never saw this as a barrier because, from the beginning, we have always believed in the quality of our product.
“Our focus has always been on delivering exceptional quality and customer service, something not every coffee roaster can match,” she stressed.
Hamiza also shared her vision for Let’s Coopi Roasters, to become a renowned coffee roaster, not only in Malaysia but internationally as well.
“Additionally, as a therapist working with autistic children and teenagers, I hope that one day Let’s Coopi Roasters will establish an academy to offer vocational training and job opportunities to PWD.
“While it may not happen immediately, it is a long-term goal. We are already collaborating with Thrive Coaching, a vocational centre that trains PWDs, which aligns with our mission to create a more inclusive workforce,” she said.
