MASEREKA EDISON

YOUTH AND BROKERAGE: THERE IS MONEY IN CONNECTING THE DOTS! One thing I have learnt during my time in the coffee business is that you don’t necessarily have to own a coffee farm, a processing factory or an export company to make money in this industry. Sometimes, the money is in knowing who has the coffee and who needs it. Linking farmers or coffee sellers to buyers, exporters and international markets and earning a commission is a legitimate business. You can build an entire career around brokerage if you do it right. Interestingly, even some multinational coffee companies operate as brokers or intermediaries. Many don’t own farms or roasteries in every country where they source coffee. They connect suppliers in producing countries to buyers abroad, facilitate transactions and earn from the value they create. But many young people are doing it in a wrong way. The biggest challenge is TRUST. Some want quick money before building relationships. Today they connect a farmer to a buyer, tomorrow they disappear with someone’s money. Others exaggerate volumes, give false information about quality, bypass the person who introduced the deal or make promises they cannot fulfil. You cannot build a brokerage business on dishonesty! Young people should stop looking at brokerage as a quick-money opportunity. But rather looking at it as a brand you must build. Let farmers know you as the person who can find them reliable buyers. Let exporters know you as someone who brings genuine suppliers. Let buyers trust your information, your volumes, your quality and your word. Build connections. Understand the market. Keep your promises. Protect relationships and be consistent this is Somthing have learnt over the years in the coffee business: A good broker doesn’t just connect a seller to a buyer; they build a bridge that both sides are willing to cross again and again. You may start by earning a commission on one bag but with trust, you can eventually become the person handling thousands of bags. And to the young people who are interested in understanding how brokerage works, how to identify genuine buyers and sellers, negotiate deals, structure commissions and build a sustainable network in the coffee business, feel free to reach out. I am willing to share what I have learnt, offer guidance and help you understand how to navigate this space. You don’t have to make all the mistakes I made before you learn. Sometimes, the right connection and a little guidance can save you years of trial and error. Let’s build young, trusted and professional coffee brokers. And lastly as a young person, if you have a buyer or seller of coffee link that person to me and u will earn your commission first hand. For God and my country #YouthInCoffee