65 | Timen Swijtink, Lacàph and Building a Coffee Brand in Vietnam

<p dir="ltr">Timen is the founder at Lacàph, a fast-growing Vietnamese coffee brand, that is starting to export into new markets in Asia Pacific and around the world. Besides this he is a board member in companies in residential real estate development and software SaaS solutions. He has been in Vietnam since 2007, but is a proud Dutch person that happens to have lived in the USA and Vietnam longer than any period of time in Holland.</p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr">In this conversation, we cover the coffee scene in Vietnam, building a brand, and his story and journey of Lacaph.</p> <p dir="ltr">I hope you enjoy my conversation with Timen Swijtink.</p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr">For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page on  <a href= "https://compoundingpodcast.com/ep65">https://compoundingpodcast.com/ep65</a> </p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr">------</p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr">Show Notes:</p> <p dir="ltr">[00:00:31] - [First question] - Timen’s Background and Lacàph </p> <p dir="ltr">[00:06:47] - Developing the story and branding for Lacàph</p> <p dir="ltr">[00:10:20] - The process and thoughts behind a packaging redesign</p> <p dir="ltr">[00:13:39] - How to get products listed in retail</p> <p dir="ltr">[00:18:10] - As a nimble startup, how do you choose what ideas to focus on?</p> <p dir="ltr">[00:22:12] - How to collaborate and learn from others as an entrepreneur</p> <p dir="ltr">[00:24:24] - The coffee culture in Vietnam and how it’s changed</p> <p dir="ltr">[00:27:26] - Robusta vs Arabica Beans and where Vietnam fits in</p> <p dir="ltr">[00:32:53] - Lacàph’s relationship with farms and Vietnamese Coffee farmers</p> <p dir="ltr">[00:39:03] - How to be a good storyteller without sounding corny</p> <p dir="ltr">[00:44:43] - High quality coffee in Vietnam</p> <p dir="ltr">[00:46:58] - How much coffee does Timen drink?</p> <p dir="ltr">[00:50:19] - The decaf coffee process</p> <p dir="ltr">[00:52:05] - Timen’s big influences</p> <p dir="ltr