Looking for that perfect cup of coffee? You might want to drop by Common Man Coffee Roasters. Whether you’re a coffee lover or just looking for a great place to hang out, Common Man Coffee Roasters has something for everyone.

But their journey wasn’t easy. Starting with a simple passion for great coffee, they’ve grown into a beloved brand with a loyal following.

This is the story of how Common Man Coffee Roasters became a leader in the specialty coffee industry.

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🇦🇺 Humble beginnings

Harry Grover grew up in Perth, Australia. He ran his family’s cleaning business with his brother for 6 years.

But it was difficult to find workers since people went into mining. Sometimes, he and his brothers would clean buildings themselves at 2 or 3 in the morning!

He learned the value of working hard–with a limit. He would push himself to get the job done, but he made sure not to tire himself out.

“You have to work smart, but when you’re in start-up mode, you pretty much just do whatever it takes—no such thing as weekends or Friday night parties,” he shared.

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☕ Just getting started

Harry had lots of different jobs, including being a teacher.

But he realized that he worked best when he was his own boss. “I don’t like bureaucracy or listening to authority,” he said. “The fewer bosses I have—the fewer masters—the better I feel and perform.”

Harry saw that there weren’t many independent coffee shops in Singapore. He wanted to change that.

This led him to open a cafe called 40 Hands in 2010. The coffee shop looked cozy and inviting, with lots of yummy meals to snack on!

But he wasn’t going to stop there.

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🤩 The winning idea

Common Man Coffee Roasters began in 2013 with one goal: to elevate coffee culture in Singapore.

At the time, artisanal coffee wasn’t popular at all! People were used to quick coffee runs and instant coffee mixes.

It was risky to open a café that served premium coffee from small farms.

They had to build connections with coffee growers in Ethiopia and Colombia. Importing beans from small farms meant dealing with unpredictable harvests and costs going up and down.

They had to make sure every batch was up to their high standards. Even a small mistake could throw everything off!

They also focused on fair trade, paying the coffee farmers fair prices for their work. Even if it meant higher costs, they kept their priorities straight.

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🎯 Sticking to their values

Slowly the brand grew over time. They picked the name “Common Man” to make specialty coffee easy for everyone to access.

Since they started, Harry and his team have kept their goal in mind. “If you don’t keep your message simple, you fail,” he emphasized. “Our message is clear—we know our coffee, we’re coffee specialists and advocates.”

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🌍 Building the team

As the café got more and more popular, they had to figure out how to expand. It was a lot of work to build new branches while keeping the same level of quality and service.  

They also made sure to train each barista to make their special coffee perfectly. “I started out with guys who had a little F&B experience, mostly waiting tables,” said Harry.

“Now they’re head baristas, head trainers, head roasters with Q Graders certificates, which is a really high level of coffee grading. The expertise that you can foster is amazing and satisfying.”

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🌟 Here and now

After building their branches in Singapore, they started thinking of opening branches abroad.

Now, they have 6 branches in Singapore, 2 in Malaysia, and 2 in Manila with Jollibee Foods Corporation!

They tweaked the menus to fit each country. They’ve even created a special coffee blend with flavors that fit right into the Philippines’ tropical climate.

Whether you’re a longtime coffee lover or just starting out, Common Man Coffee Roasters invites you to join their journey one cup at a time.