For some, coffee is more than just an energy boost; it is a lifestyle. Megan Wyper, director at Acme Cups, said her love for roasting and making coffee pushed her towards the hospitality industry and eventually into managing her own business.
Although Wyper initially thought she wanted to get into childcare, leaving school at 16, studying early childhood education and becoming a private nanny left her feeling isolated. She switched to hospitality, where she quickly fell in love with the busy and ever-changing environment. She eventually ended up in Scotland, where roasting coffee was still in an early stage.
“I took over managing the store and the roastery,” explained Wyper.
“They asked me to help open their second location in Glasgow, so I moved and helped set up the business while also building the fit-out and then ran the Glasgow location.”
After becoming an awarded barista in Scotland, she invested her time into also picking up film photography, an essential skill she would use later in life. After moving back to New Zealand and having a child, Wyper was offered a role at Acme Cups, eventually purchasing it with her business partner.
“Specialty coffee and the design space is a unique industry; it’s pretty much full of very passionate people doing it for the genuine love of the industry.”
Aside from people within the industry who have helped along the way, Wyper acclaims her success to her grandmother, emphasising the support and inspiration along the way.
“She was quite often the only female in the room but ran multiple very successful businesses and was a leader in her chosen industries,” She added.
“She was a very driven woman; I’m very driven and goal-focused myself. Apple didn’t fall far!”
Megan Wyper still works hard to ensure more space for women within specialty coffee and aims to set a good example for her daughter surrounding women in business.
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