Meet Jawad, founder of Good Life Coffee in London
How long have you been in business and how did the idea start?
We’ve been in the coffee business since 2014.
I used to hack computers for fun as a kid, that’s what led me to coffee. Having had a passion for technology I got the opportunity to work at Microsoft in Seattle the coffee capital of the world.
I didn’t have to look very far to enjoy specialty coffee in the city… it was everywhere. These were the days where Starbucks was still only a Seattle thing.
Then we I moved to London and worked in London’s Leicester Square for a media company working for some of London’s favourite radio stations.
After a particularly rough night one night…I knew the only way I’d be able to survive the day would require some good coffee and lots of it.
The office instant was not going to help, so I ventured out into the Square and to my surprise the coffee was no way near as nice as the specialty coffee I used to enjoy in Seattle.
I then started an Instagram account and went in search of fresh roasted coffee in the city… leading me to connect with coffee lovers, start roasting at home personally… and sharing this interest with others. The rest as they say is history.
Tell us a bit about you and your roastery. How did you come up with its name?
I’ve always had a Stoic attitude to life and enjoyed reading occidental and oriental philosophy, so naturally the name GOOD LIFE was thought up from studying Socrates.
What would you be doing if you weren’t in coffee?
I’d probably be doing something I’m passionate about, so it would either be technology or music.
Maybe you already have a side project?
My day job used to be as a computer programmer, and coffee was a side project… nowadays coffee is the main project. Funny how life works
What’s your favourite thing about living where you do?
Being a country boy now living in Ealing, London. My favourite thing has to be a love for nature and greenery so going for walks in the parks around West London.
Where do head if you when you have a day off?
I head home… my favourite place to relax and just be.
Do you have any local tips? Maybe there’s a hidden gem you’d like to share?
Many gems around West London… but Walpole Park in Ealing is my favourite place for reflection after a busy day.
What have been your biggest challenges through the pandemic?
First and foremost it’s been the safety and well-being of everyone in the team.
GOOD LIFE have been focused on the home barista from the very start, so when the pandemic came and the unfortunate closure of cafes, it didn’t affect our business too much.
2020 was the year we were going to be at the London Coffee Festival and Caffe Culture in order to reach out to the hospitality sector, but that can wait till next year and it’s something we are looking forward to.
What’s been keeping you grounded?
Family keeps me grounded.
Have you tried your hand at anything new?
I love learning new things all the time… especially if its creative. I’ve been getting into music/sound production recently making my own beats.
Are you reading anything you’d like to recommend?
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius- lots of wisdom there.
Do you have a mantra you live by?
Have you heard of YOLO, you only live once? I think that’s nonsense. You live every day; you only die once. So live everyday… be present, enjoy the journey.
How do you take your coffee?
Black no sugar… almost always filter.
What’s your favourite origin and why?
This changes all the time with the seasons. I just love a good cup of coffee and I know one when I taste one. Current favourites are naturally processed Ethiopians.
