Bean There, Done That!
By The Coffee Commune
Categories: Business, Entrepreneurship, Management, Marketing
Welcome to ”Bean There, Done That!” your essential podcast for mastering the world of hospitality. Hosted by industry expert, Phillip Di Bella, we cut through the noise to deliver straightforward, actionable insights and strategies. Each episode explores the powerful interplay of knowledge and connections, presenting real-life case studies from Australia’s thriving hospitality scene. We feature thought leaders who share their experiences, ensuring you have the answers you need when facing a business challenge. Whether you’re a budding cafe owner or a seasoned hospitality professional, ”Bean There, Done That!” is your hub for insights, inspiration, and industry connections. We’re here to help you turn hurdles into opportunities for growth and success. Join our growing community with the hashtags #BeanThereDoneThat, #HospitalityHub, #CafeInsights, and #CoffeeCommune. With ”Bean There and Done That,” your roadmap to hospitality success is just a listen away.
20 episodes indexed on PodSearch.
Recent episodes
- Proactive Ageing: How to Plan Before a Health Crisis Hits
Most of us plan for retirement, finances and major life changes, but far fewer plan for what ageing might actually require. Phillip Di Bella is joined by Julie Cheney and Shelley Walker from Sovereign Community Nursing to explore a proactive approach to ageing — from health assessments and home…
- How to Proactively Manage Cashflow and Fund Business Growth in a Two-Speed Economy
Many small businesses are struggling with cash flow delays and mounting ATO debt due to reactive financial planning. In this episode of Bean There Done That, managing director and senior finance specialist Barry Wilkinson shares how to proactively leverage alternative lending to consolidate debt…
- Why True AI Implementation Doesn't Replace Humans: The Poetry and the Plumbing. With Ed Dale
Many business owners struggle with manual data entry and operational inefficiencies, wasting valuable hours on routine "plumbing" tasks instead of focusing on strategic growth. In this episode, host Phil Di Bella sits down with Ed Dale, founder of AI Powerhouse, to demystify artificial…
- The $37,500 Fine You Didn't See Coming: Hospitality Compliance and Staff Training for Cafes and Restaurants, with Brendan Power
Hospitality veteran Brendan Power joins Phil Di Bella to demystify the complex world of industry compliance. From food safety to the latest seafood labelling laws, they explore how training isn't just a regulatory box-ticking exercise, but a vital tool for staff retention and brand authority. In…
- Pay Day Superannuation: What You Need to Know Now
The Australian Taxation Office is introducing the biggest shift to superannuation in years, moving from quarterly payments to a "Payday Super" model. Linda Dang, CEO of e.Advisory, joins Phil Di Bella to explain how hospitality businesses must adapt their cash flow and payroll systems before 1…
- Turn Payments Data into Profit. Margins Don’t Lie, with Aaron Prosser
In this episode of Bean There Done That, Phil Di Bella sits down with Aaron Prosser (Beyond Payments) to unpack why “gut feel” isn’t enough anymore — especially with café margins hovering around the 3–4% mark. They explore how linking payments + POS data can sharpen staffing, improve cash flow…
- Looking Ahead: What’s Brewing in 2026: AI, Coffee, and the Power of Community
In this episode of Bean There Done That, host Phil Di Bella and Rai Esat, General Manager of International Coffee Traders, look ahead to 2026 and unpack what café and hospitality owners can expect – and how to not just survive, but thrive. They explore the growing role of AI as a productivity…
- 2025 Wrap Up. Café Reality Check: Adjustment, Relentless Costs & What Comes Next, With Raihaan Esat
2025 was not a “business as usual” year for cafés. It was a year of adjustment. In this final episode of Bean There, Done That for 2025, Phil Di Bella is joined by long-time collaborator and one of Australia’s top coffee minds, Raihaan Esat, General Manager of International Coffee Traders…
- Using Holidays to Drive Sales with Emotion. With Natalie Shaw
In this episode of Bean There, Done That!, host Phil Di Bella is joined by marketing expert Natalie Shaw, co-founder of Yom Connect, to explore how hospitality businesses can use seasonal moments like Christmas to build emotional connections and drive real results. With over 25 years of marketing…
- Delivering Service Excellence And How To Exceed Your Customers' Expectations. With Mark Shaw
In this high-energy and insight-packed episode of Bean There, Done That, Phil Di Bella is joined by renowned guest experience expert Mark Shaw. With decades of leadership in Australia’s top theme parks, Mark unpacks what makes a truly unforgettable guest experience and how emotional engagement is…
- Surcharges, Swipe Fees & Strategy: Preparing for the RBA Ban, with Larry Prosser
In this episode of Bean There Done That, host Phil Di Bella sits down with Larry Prosser, Executive Director of Beyond Payments, to unpack the Reserve Bank of Australia’s proposed ban on card surcharges. They break down what this policy really means for consumers, merchants, and banks—and why the…
- Exit Ready: How to Sell Your Hospitality Business for Maximum Value. With Vince Konig and Jodie Castle
In this episode of Bean There, Done That, host Phil Di Bella sits down with Vince Konig and Jodie Castle from Link Business Brokers to unpack the realities of selling a hospitality business. From legal pitfalls to boosting your business’s value, they share candid insights, real-life stories, and a…
- Financial Insights for Small Business. With Barry Wilkinson
In this episode of Bean There Done That, host Phil Di Bella sits down with Barry Wilkinson of SW Brokerage for an eye-opening discussion about finance, business strategy, and the evolving landscape of hospitality. Together, they dig into the current financial climate, the practicalities of buying…
- Insurance Key Considerations for Small Business. With Karla Vosloo
In this essential episode of Bean There, Done That, host Phillip Di Bella sits down with Karla Vosloo, Account Manager at Stellar Insurance Brokers, to demystify the world of insurance for small business owners—especially those in hospitality. Karla shares invaluable insights on how insurance has…
- The Death of the Traditional Café. With Raihaan Esat
In this thought-provoking discussion, hospitality veterans Phil Di Bella and Raihaan Esat dive deep into the evolution—and possible extinction—of the traditional café. They trace the journey from café culture’s golden age to today’s high-cost, low-margin reality, uncovering the harsh truths behind…
- The Post Election HR/IR Landscape. With Tim Dive
In this timely episode of Bean There, Done That, host Phillip Di Bella sits down with Tim Dive, founder of the HR Cartel and host of the HR Cartel Podcast, to unpack the complex and fast-changing world of industrial relations (IR) and human resources (HR) in Australia. With wage theft now a…
- Green Beans Global Trends and Forecasts: What Roasters Need to Know Now - With Raihaan Esat and Shari Wilding
In this episode of Bean There, Done That, guest host Shari Wilding sits down with Raihaan Esat, coffee trader at International Coffee Traders (ICT), to explore the current state of the global coffee market. They discuss the rising cost of green beans, the impact of climate change and logistics…
- The Role of Community in Cafes. With Justin Swayn from BrewBox Collective
In this episode of Bean There, Done That, host Phillip Di Bella sits down with Justin Swayn, founder of Brew Box Collective, an award-winning café in Baringa, Sunshine Coast. Justin shares his deeply personal journey—from overcoming life’s toughest challenges to building a café that’s more than…
- Growing Business and the Courage to Call. with Mikella Esposito and Laurence Santini.
In this episode of Bean There Done That, host Phil DiBella sits down with Mikella Esposito and Laurence Santini, the ambitious young duo behind Como Restaurant in West End. They share their journey from different professional backgrounds—Mikella with her creative and entrepreneurial roots, and…
- Matt Jefferis on Systems, Success, and Savoury Insights: Creating a Café Legacy
In this episode of Bean There Done That, host Phil Di Bella chats with Matt Jefferis, co-owner of Savour Café and Franc in Brisbane, to explore his extensive journey in the hospitality industry. Starting as a dishwasher alongside his twin brother, Dan, Matt shares the evolution of their careers…
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