Iris & June, one of our awesome wholesale partners, hit a huge milestone this year —10 years since they first opened their doors! Our Senior Account Manager, Emily, had a chat with Jodie, the amazing owner behind this beloved café and our long-time partner. Over the past decade, Iris & June has grown from a passionate idea into a bustling spot known for its cosy vibe, fantastic coffee, and yummy food.
For their anniversary, they’ve created special coffee labels for their Ozone coffee bags, with illustrations by Marcus Phelan, a former Iris & June employee. In this interview, Emily dives into Jodie’s journey, the hurdles she’s overcome, and the wins that have made Iris & June one of London’s favourite spots.
Emily: Hi Jodie, can you tell us a bit about your journey at Iris and June and what inspired you to start 10 years ago?
Jodie: Absolutely. I used to work in a typical 9-5 office job in marketing. It wasn't something I was passionate about therefore I wasn't very good at it. The highlight of my day was visiting my local coffee shop, getting a great coffee, and enjoying the vibe. I’ve always loved food and coffee and wanted to make that my job. So, I left my job, trained as a barista at some of London's renowned coffee shops, and eventually decided to create a place where people would feel truly welcomed—a highlight of their day. It wasn't easy; my boss at the time even fired me, predicting I'd pour all my money down the drain. That moment, on a cold, snowy London day, was tough. But it gave me the determination to prove everyone wrong and make my dream a reality. And here we are, 10 years later.
E: What were some of the biggest challenges you faced when you first opened?
J: The biggest challenge was meeting the opening date deadline. It meant hiring whoever was available, not necessarily the right fit. Creating the culture and vibe I wanted took time. You end up sort of having to manage and do everything yourself. It takes a while to get the right people around you. Finding and building the right team was the biggest challenge.
E: How has your business evolved since you opened?
J: Initially, we didn't realise how important the food aspect would become. Customers came for the coffee but returned for the food. In 2016, we started offering table service brunch on weekends, which everyone loved. It was really cool for the staff as well, because it totally switched what they were doing, and they loved the change. Unfortunately, Covid changed the whole dynamic as people weren't really around. We couldn't get chefs, so we had to stop, but we hope to bring it back in the future. It was amazing seeing people travel from outside London for our brunch.
E: You've been using Ozone since day one. What drew you to Ozone, and why have you continued to work with us?
J: From the start, James and Lizzie 100% understood what we were trying to create. It was just so easy from the start. The relationship was supportive and collaborative and it's been like that ever since. I feel like Ozone has actually been a real partner in our business as opposed to just a supplier.
E: Could you share a memorable experience you've had with Ozone over the years?
J: There are so many! Ozone throws great parties. I remember the first couple of parties back in the day, it was just the OG wholesale customers, really intimate, really fun. One in particular was quiet funny, Ozone hosted a latte art competition. Macca (Ozone's previous CEO), entered despite not being able to pour latte art. He just dumped his milk into the coffee and walked off. It was hilarious.
E: Can you describe the impact that Ozone Coffee has had on your local customers and staff?
J: When customers see Ozone Coffee on the bar, there's an immediate recognition of quality and consistency. I think people just love the brand and they'll speak to us about it. They talk to us about Ozone's commitment to sustainability and how whenever they go into one of Ozone's own cafes, the staff are enjoying themselves. It's clear when customers come here and see we serve Ozone—they recognise the superior quality.
E: Your baristas contribute significantly to making amazing coffee for your customers. How do you ensure they maintain such high standards?
J: Training is crucial, and Ozone supports us immensely with that. Consistency is key, especially for customers like I was, where a good coffee can be the highlight of their day. Given the cost of a good coffee nowadays, it has to be worth it, and that’s why we prioritise quality.
E: What does celebrating ten years in business mean to you?
J: It's a huge milestone. I get emotional and overwhelmed hearing how much this place means to our customers and staff past and present because it's so personal to me. We built a really successful business and then Covid hit and it nearly destroyed us. It's definitely been tough at times, where I thought will we get through the next month? However, here we are on the other side. I feel like we're through the worst of it and I'm immensely proud, we've weathered the storm and we're still here and it means so much.
E: What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs looking to open their own coffee shop or business?
J: Don’t do it unless you're 100% passionate about it. When the shit hits the fan and things are tough, it's so incredibly hard to keep going. But on the flip side, if you do, if you are completely passionate and you believe in yourself and your idea, then go for it.
E: Are there any current trends in the coffee or hospitality industry that excite you?
J: I think businesses that stand the test of time stick to what they do well and aren't distracted by what others are doing or what the current trend is. We're constantly reminding ourselves to focus on what we do best - great coffee, great food, great atmosphere. If we can nail those three things day in, day out and be consistent then I feel like we're doing a good job.
E: You’re probably setting trends for future businesses and entrepreneurs. Your business model is thriving and you're sticking to something that you know has worked well for the past 10 years. I think you've done an incredible job.
J: Thank you, that’s very kind, it's a big team effort and I'm so thankful for everyone that has played a part in helping us get here.
You can visit Iris & June in the heart of Victoria or their takeaway site in Holborn.