Brewing Success with Collie Makes Coffee
Founded by entrepreneur Collette Poole, Collie Makes Coffee offers inclusive and affordable barista training that makes high‑quality coffee skills accessible to everyone.
Drawing on more than 15 years of international experience, Collette has created a warm, welcoming learning environment that empowers people, boosts wellbeing, and strengthens the local coffee community.
After spending years working across the global coffee industry, Collette noticed a gap in the UK: plenty of roasters, but not enough training opportunities that were truly accessible and inclusive. She wanted to help people craft café‑quality coffee at home and support professionals looking to build their skills in a friendly, affordable setting.
"Coffee is expensive, so I wanted to provide affordable barista training for everyone, so that they can make barista-quality coffee at home."
With support from The Enterprising North Service and guidance from her Business Advisor, Shirley Wilson, Collette developed her business plan, cashflow forecast, and customer journey. Creative workshops through The Sustainable Creative Programme also helped boost her confidence and build her business skills. She explored the SMARTA e‑learning platform too, making use of its wide range of resources and finding the video‑based format particularly helpful. Collette was also signposted to the North East BIPC (North East Business & Intellectual Property Centre), where she received hands‑on support to develop her website and wireframe the design.
“Utilise every bit of support that’s available, contact PNE. Have a go and not be afraid.”
Collette is now working with Smile for Life at Café BEAM in Gosforth, as well as with Northumbria Police on projects supporting young offenders. Her strong social media presence has also opened exciting new doors, with organisations like Northern Stage and Gateshead International Stadium approaching her directly to deliver workshops in their space. Looking ahead, she is set to become an official Gateshead Council Supplier, providing much‑needed holiday clubs for children on free school meals, an opportunity that came directly through an enquiry via her business website.
In the coming months, Collette plans to continue growing Collie Makes Coffee with seasonal promotions, creative gift experiences, and community workshops designed to bring people together over a great cup of coffee. Looking further ahead, her long-term vision is to open a dedicated training hub in Newcastle and create new local job opportunities.
Find out more about Collie Makes Coffee below!
Website:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/make-coffee-110410544301
Social media:
www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575628900356
Enterprising North
The Enterprising North service is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and brings together business support providers from across the region to provide expert advice, guidance and exciting opportunities to help turn your business idea or early-stage venture into a reality.
Partners working together to deliver the Enterprising North Service are: The Millin Charity, North East BIC, Project North East, Rural Design Centre, TEDCO Business Support, The King’s Trust, Enterprise Made Simple, NBSL, UMI, FIRST and Transmit.
What Support is available:
- Access 1-to-1 support and e-learning, led by experienced business advisers.
- Interactive and informative workshops hosted online and in your local area.
- We provide tailored business support and mentoring within your local community.
- Legitimising your side hustle.
- Intensive support to the pre start Retail and High Growth sectors.
- Enterprising sessions within the Further and Higher Education settings.
Whatever your business idea, if you are based in Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside or Northumberland, this programme is for you!
If you are interested in finding out more, please email enquiries@pne.org
The Sustainable Creative
The Sustainable Creative's programme is supported by Creative Central NCL, funded by the North East Combined Authority and Newcastle City Council.
The programme provides a comprehensive package of support including access to creative themed workshops, networking events and 1-to-1 support from our team of dedicated business advisors, to help creatives set-up exciting and sustainable creative businesses.
The Sustainable Creative is open to residents of Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland who are aged 18-24 or those of all ages who are new to a creative industry.
Applications to the Sustainable Creative are now open! To register your interest, please click here
