Natalie O’Brien, co-founder of Need

Tell us the story behind the coffee brand Need, which you run with partner Jack Visick. What were you doing in your careers before you set it up?

Jack and I have worked in hospitality for many years, owning two country pubs in the heart of the South Downs, The Berwick Inn, Berwick and The Bull on the Green, Newick. Alongside hospitality, I have also modelled and acted for a number of years, being cast in the Barbie movie alongside TV shows and commercials. We heard about a TV show coming out on Channel 4 called Double The Money, which was looking for entrepreneurial duos, to take part in the challenge of doubling start-up funds for different businesses. In the ultimate final round, we created Need. A coffee business for busy people like us. One that provides a moment of solace, away from the chaos of today, whereby your coffee moment allows you to recharge, in all senses – relaxation, appreciation, increased energy and of course, enjoyment. Over 4 weeks, we turned £10K into over £24K and sold over 5000 bags of coffee!

Before we get into the coffee… what was it like working on the Barbie Movie?

Working on Barbie was without a doubt the most incredible experience yet. Working on set with the cast, the dancers and other models every day was unbelievably fun. Most days started at 5:30am, with hair pieces, makeup and body paint, then onto set where Greta Gerwig directed us all. A true professional, and an absolute pleasure to work for. Every element was so well considered and thought out. Walking into Barbie Land was quite literally magical!

Back to Need. What makes it different from other UK-based coffee brands?

We are speciality coffee, creating moments for those ‘in need’ of solace, clarity and connection through the daily rituals of coffee and coffee drinking. Whether you are a once-a-day treat or a hardcore coffee sessioner, we have a blend to suit individuals and their lifestyles. Our current range includes an all-day drinking coffee to an espresso martini blend ‘Night Tales’ which takes you from day to night.

Where and how do you source your beans?

Our beans are sourced all over the world, including blends from Uganda and Brazil with a medium roast that strikes the perfect balance between boldness and smoothness, along with single-origin options and our specially curated cocktail blend. We work with organisations across the world to ensure a fair supply chain with a steadfast commitment to sustainability. Our Arabica blends are then carefully roasted by our master roaster in East Sussex.

Tell us a bit more about your experience appearing on Double The Money. What initially made you apply to go on it?

We heard about the show through a friend who works in TV. I immediately thought Jack and I would love this! And Jack loved the opportunity of being given free money to make a profit. So we went for it. More often than not, we have risked our own capital to build our businesses and this was an opportunity that doesn’t come around often – well, ever! We created 6 businesses in 6 rounds and made a profit each time, doubling the money. It was great working alongside the other 12 duos, and Sue Perkins was a pleasure on and off set. It was an incredibly intense experience, whereby we juggled our current businesses, lives, relationship and wellbeing, with filming and eventually winning the competition.

The competition looks very intense! What did you learn about growing a business from taking part in the show?

Due to the timeframes we were given for each round, from 36 hours to 4 weeks, we had to be proactive, efficient and credible. We learnt to think on our feet, react and adapt. We truly believe Need did so well because we created a brand which was authentic to us.

How have your lives changed since you won it?

We had a very nice cash injection, taking home just under £50K winnings. This helped us get our first site open and since being aired, we have developed relationships with other brands for which we are actively building partnerships. It was a fantastic opportunity to have our brand broadcast to millions of people.

You’ve recently opened a new restaurant in Seaford, East Sussex, by the Seven Sisters cliff walk – a very popular weekend hike amongst Londoners. What made you want to open the site there and what do you love the most about the area?

We used to live above one of our country pubs and decided a life away from the hustle and bustle of the city was good for us. We adore the South Downs and thought of nowhere better to open a site, than the up-and-coming town of Seaford, 100m from the Beach and just around the corner from the station, where many begin their Seven Sisters Cliff Walk. Footfall is great and we are proud to have many regulars alongside our weekend visitors.

What was your inspiration for the menu?

Our menu compliments our coffee, as a coffee bar and kitchen, we encourage people to enjoy the simple joys in life, whilst indulging in some seriously good food. We love dining out, we love experimenting and tasting foods from different countries and cultures. Our menu reflects this, mixing different traditional brunch options with more creative approaches. Our evening menu is where our creative flair really comes alive. We are currently trialling monthly changing menus which include inspiration from different countries, we pair this with cocktails from the area and always have our staple Night Tales Espresso Martini. This month is all about Brazil with our ‘Breakfast’ Brazil/Uganda mixed blend in our hopper – you can enjoy the flavours of Brazil whilst drinking coffee from the area.

What’s up next for Need?

We are lucky our first site has been busy, so we are increasing our opening hours and exploring options for a second home for Need. We have rolled out some other distribution options, increased our wholesale offering and we’re hoping to get into some stores. You can buy our coffee online and make the most of our discounted subscriptions. We are also exploring new products to add to our brand which we are very excited to announce – watch this space!

To try the coffee for yourself, visit www.needdrinks.com

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