Bettr Barista Coffee Academy
Making the world a better place, one barista at a time
About Us- What We Do
- Why We Do What We Do
- The Business Of Being Social
- Classes
- Professional Certification
- Coffee
- Coffee Equipment and Machines
- The Bettr Brew Bar
- News
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About Us
- The Story of Bettr BaristaA better cup of coffee – that’s how it all started. I tasted my first decent cup of coffee more than 15 years ago, and since then, I have traversed the world for my caffeine fix. On this journey, as the world changed, our society evolved, and I grew older, I began to realise that I was searching for much more than this simple fix of mine.The Bettr Barista story has developed and evolved over thousands of cups of coffee over the last 15 years. It is a story that is born of a desire to translate a simple selfish want to a tangible, action-based vision that has become much bigger than I could have imagined.I joined the media industry when the web world was in its infancy, believing that through the power of the media, I could be part of a machinery of huge change and influence. I then realised the real power lay in business, so I co-founded a boutique web consultancy, and on a daily basis for 8 years, we were entrusted to churn out top-notch, industry-leading web work. It was an amazing time, we were experiencing success in so many ways, and I was hitting each of my personal milestones.Yet something was always calling out to me. I was cruising on the high-speed internet network, but I felt like my ship was off-course.We have never been wealthier, healthier, smarter, and more connected.Yet, there are ever-growing disparities between rich and poor, healthy and sick, haves and haves-not. There is so much waste the way we are living right now. I am fortunate enough to have always had more than I ever needed. And I am also fortunate to realise that despite all the apparent progress the human race has made, there is still so much more that needs to be done to make this world a better place.I went back to basics, to reconnect with the inner self, to listen to that tiny voice that had gone desperately quiet over the years. I had become so busy with work and the daily business of keeping up with this life, I never made the time to be truly present with family, friends and colleagues. Relationships suffered and I never “gave back” to society in the way I had always envisioned.So the question was: what did I envision? For a long time, it was convoluted, unclear, messy.Much like life.After an intense period pursuing deeper self-understanding, clarity of thought and conviction of heart, it became clear and simple:
- A better way to operate in life, where we are constantly working on being the best versions of ourselves.
- A better way to give of ourselves and to the world around us.
- A better way to utilise the power of social business to empower those who have less than us.
Oh yeah, and a better tasting cup of coffee. - A better way to operate in life, where we are constantly working on being the best versions of ourselves.
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What We Do
- The Bettr Barista story is lovely…but what is it you do, exactly?We are a social enterprise centred on arming disadvantaged and underprivileged women with the skills and tools to make their lives better. We take a holistic training approach that focuses on mental (skills), emotional and physical development.Starting with the specialty coffee industry, we aim to lift the overall coffee standards in Singapore by producing better baristas and coffee professionals.These women will go through a 12-week programme consisting of:
- top-notch professional barista training & apprenticeship (mental skills)
- life and emotional management training (emotional skills)
- multi-dimension physical training of self-defence (KAPAP), outrigger canoeing and yoga (physical skills)
At the end of the course, we hope to help our students gain permanent employment within the Bettr Group, our partner organisations or evenprovide them with an opportunity to run their own start-up.We want our students to aspire to greater heights, to show them that we believe they have it in them to rise above their difficult life situations, and that we trust them to take responsibility for their aspirations and future.How We Fund This ProgrammeTo fund this programme, we actively seek funding and sponsorships from government, corporate organisations, trusts and funds. Most importantly, we also offer a wide range of coffee products and services to the public, organisations, schools and the F&B industry to ensure we become self-sustaining.
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Why We Do What We Do
- Holistic training? Emotions? Physical training? Seriously? How does that help people get or keep a job?We have observed that job training is often focused almost purely on skills training. Occasionally we throw “life skills training” into the fray. We believe that this is no longer enough.To get the best out of each person, we need to arm them with the tools and methodologies to manage not only their mental state, but more importantly, their emotional and physical states.We believe in a holistic whole person approach, cohesively and comprehensively working on creating a symbiotic ecosystem rather than disparate parts that we clobber together.You can skill up a person technically, but if they are not emotionally competent & resilient, and are not self-aware enough to know how to handle their own emotional behaviours and those of others (colleagues, bosses, customers etc), they will be a lot less effective in being great at their job.Physical training helps to instill discipline, endurance and teamwork. Being physically fit also increases the release of endorphins and help promotes emotional and mental resilience and strength.In order to maximise the potential in each person, our training efforts need to address all parts of being human, and thriving in the society we live in today.To do this requires a fundamental shift in mindset. We need to create an empowering ecosystem for this to happen: we believe that given the right opportunities and resources, marginalised individuals can become competent, useful and productive. They only need the right environment, taught the right methods and empowered with the trust that they can become better versions of themselves.We are not merely providing training for a job, we are providing training for an overall improvement in their lives, in a safe, experiential, fun, loving environment that fosters community, camaraderie and kinship.
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The Business Of Being Social
- You are a social enterprise - so you are a non-profit organisation?No, we are a for-profit business but more importantly, we are a social business.Everything we do is geared towards creating as much social impact as possible, all the while keeping an eye on being profitable and self-sustaining. We have a triple bottom-line of:People: Helping as many women in need as we possibly can.Planet: Reducing our environmental impact consciously and consistently by reusing, recycling and refurbishing.Profit: Lifting the quality standards of training while ensuring we are profitable and self-sustaining.Our Products And ServicesThe proceeds of every product and service we sell goes towards funding the education of the women we help. Every sale and every dollar counts in helping to improve the lives of our women.
- Professional Barista & Coffee Training (industry & public)
- Coffee Appreciation Classes (public, schools, corporate organisations)
- Freshly Roasted Single Origin Beans
- Coffee Machines & Toys
- Coffee Brew Bars at events
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Classes
- Coffee Training and Appreciation Classes"Teaching a man to fish makes him appreciate how much work goes into getting that piece of fish onto your dinner table" ~ a wise woman with a hungry husbandWe offer a range of barista and coffee training classes. Like us on Facebook or sign up to our newsletter to get updated when the classes are available for booking.The Bettr Holistic Programme (12-weeks)For: Target beneficiaries of needy women2012 Intakes: May / Aug / Oct
- intensive 4-week barista training from our professional barista trainer from Melbourne + 8-week internship with specialty coffee partners
- 12-week emotional empowerment programme with our clinical psychologist trainer
- 12-week physical fitness programme comprising self-defence (KAPAP), Yoga and Outrigger Canoeing
Coffee AppreciationFor: general public, corporate organisations and schools- Sun 20 May 3-5pm
- Sun 27 May, 3-5pm
- Sun 17 Jun, 3-5pm
- Sun 24 Jun, 3-5pm
Bettr Teen Barista Boot CampFor: Teens from 14-18 years, schools- Sat 2 Jun 2012, 10am-4pm
Professional Barista TrainingFor: general public, industry professionals and aspiring café owners- Level 1 - Espresso Basics 101:
Thur 26 Apr 2012, 6.30pm-9.30pm
Thur 17 May 2012, 6.30pm-9.30pm
Thur 24 May 2012, 6.30pm-9.30pm
Thur 14 Jun 2012, 6.30pm-9.30pm
Thur 21 Jun 2012, 6.30pm-9.30pm - Level 2 - Latte Art:
To be advised - Level 3 - Advanced Barista:
To be advised
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Professional Certification
- Internationally recognised barista and coffee certificationBettr Barista Coffee Academy is Singapore's leading coffee education provider offering internationally certified coffee education for coffee professionals.We are Singapore's only Licensed International Education Partner with the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA).
UPCOMING CLASSESTues 12 June - Thur 14 June 2012Barista Certification Program: Level 1An Introductory Track of Basic Barista Skills- CP101 & CP102 Introduction to Espresso, Parts 1 & 2
- CP103 Customer Service**
- GE103 Introduction to Cupping
- CP151 Introduction to Coffee Brewing & Extraction
- CP190 Level 1 Certification Test (2 parts)
Fri 15 June 2012The SCAA Cupping Form & Peer CalibrationComparative CuppingEligibility & Overview:Level 1 training courses are eligible to everyone and no prior qualifications are required to enter Level 1 training courses. SCAA standards are introduced and used throughout Level 1 courses. There are no time limits or expirations on training courses which can be taken anytime at SCAA events and applied toward certification.All coursework is at the 100-level, or «Beginning Level,» which, according to SCAA's Definition of Levels is appropriate for the following students:• Students who are new to the subject or skill.• Students who have little or no experience or knowledge.*Email us if you wish to be kept updated when new classes are available.
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Coffee
- We offer a range of high quality single origin Arabica beans from around the world, sourced with love and attention, and freshly roasted at our academy in very very small batches to bring out the best characteristics of each bean.As you start or grow on your journey of coffee discovery, the more coffees you taste, the better your palate develops. Try one, try all, decide what tickles your tongue and warms the cockles of your heart!Coffees available at our online shop.*NEW*Bettr Beans coffee subscription service:Range of Coffees Available:CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA
- Panama Geisha Aristar (Best of Panama 2011 #1) – DIRECT TRADE *RARE & HIGHLY PRIZED*
- Costa Rica Cafetalera Zamorana Dulce (honey process)
- El Salvador Las Mercedes - Pepinal 2
- El Salvador Primavera – Pacamara
- Guatemala Santa Ana
- Peru Quebrada Valley Organic
AFRICA- Kenyan Gethumbwini Peaberry Lot 1172 new crop
- Ethiopian Yirgacheffe
- Tanzania Kilimanjaro AA
- Ethiopian Sidamo Gr 2
ASIA- Sumatra Takengon (Aceh Province)
Like us on Facebook or sign up to our newsletter to get updated when new beans are available for sale.
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Coffee Equipment and Machines
- Coffee EquipmentWe have a range of coffee toys for the home barista and brewing enthusiast (some call us geeks!).Newly launched: The bettr Brew Kit!(Limited to 25 sets only)Your complete coffee brewing gear in a stylish customised barista bag! Each item has its own compartment to keep it all nice and neat - just the way we like it. We've put together everything you need to elevate your home brewing experience - no more running around wondering what to get and where to get them!
The kit contains:▪ Hario Ceramic Slim Grinder
▪ Digital Kitchen Scale
▪ Digital Thermometer
▪ Digital Timer
▪ KeepCup 8oz Reusable Cup
▪ Bettr Beans:
๏ 1 x 200g of Heart Blend
๏ 1 x 200g of Single Origin Coffee (Roaster’s Choice)Choice of Brew Device:
- Hario v60 Pour-over + 40 filters
(total kit value: $300) - Clever Coffee Dripper + 40 filters
(total kit value: $310) - Aerobie Aeropress + 350 filters
(total kit value: $330)
Available at our online shop.Like us on Facebook or sign up to our newsletter to get updated when new toys are available for sale.Coffee MachinesKeeping in line with our eco-friendly philosophy, we use and distribute a range of espresso machines from Astoria, including their flagship Green Line product, the Plus 4 You.These machines help reduce energy usage by between 30-40% and are much kinder to the environment!Contact us for more details. - Hario v60 Pour-over + 40 filters
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The Bettr Brew Bar
- Save everyone from bad bitter coffee!Make your next event, conference or seminar a truly unique event by saving your guests from bad coffee!The Bettr Brew Bar is an experiential, interactive coffee bar that we can bring to you.Contact us to find out what we can do for you.
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News
- Latest happenings at Bettr BaristaPRESS RELEASE
Brewing Cuppas with Conscience
Bettr Barista is Singapore’s first social enterprise to help disadvantaged women via a three-prong holistic programme that combines world-class barista training with emotional and physical skills training.Singapore, 30 January 2012 – 35-year-old Pamela Chng has set out to empower disadvantaged women in Singapore – using the humble coffee bean and the growing specialty coffee industry as her starting points. She is the founder of Bettr Barista Coffee Academy, a social enterprise that has a triple bottom line of People, Planet and Profit. Central to Bettr Barista’s mission is a 12-week programme that adopts a whole-person approach towards improving the lives of disadvantaged women, by combining professional barista training, life and emotional management training and multi-dimension physical training. The Academy aims to train up to ten women in each of the four semesters that it runs annually, and its first semester for the year kicks off today.
“Bettr Barista is not just another specialty coffee kid on the block and, as far as I know, we’re the first and only folks to apply a holistic approach that addresses all aspects of being a more successful, productive person. Incorporating emotional and physical skills training in our programme is a proactive strategy that uses rational effective methodologies and tools to build up resilience, self confidence and other social skills that are the ‘heartware’ to the hardware of world-class barista skills,” says Ms Chng.
The coffee-loving entrepreneur, who is also a US- and Australia-trained barista and roaster herself, is passionate about social businesses being the best avenue for bringing about social change. She spent the last eight years building up a successful web consultancy before founding Bettr Barista in November 2011.
She adds: “I firmly believe that when you empower women in this all-rounded way, they have a tremendous capacity to change the lives of people around them in turn. The women we’re reaching out to have more intricate needs than your average person and it is not enough to just teach them a job skill. In addition to helping them find permanent employment within our group and with our partners in the specialty coffee industry, we want to equip them with the emotional resilience and confidence to progress in their work and continually better themselves.”
During the first four weeks of Bettr Barista’s programme, its students undergo intensive barista training conducted in part by David Seng, one of Melbourne’s leading professional barista trainers and an accredited Australian Barista Championship judge. The remaining eight weeks are devoted to a paid internship with specialty café partners including Forty Hands, Smitten Coffee & Tea and Jimmy Monkey Café. Underscoring the entire 12 weeks are an emotional empowerment component managed by Saima Salman, a New York-trained emotional coach and clinical fellow at the renowned Albert Ellis Institute, as well as a physical component comprising KAPAP self-defence, yoga and outrigger canoeing with the Singapore Paddle Club.
Euan Beer, president of the Singapore Paddle Club says: “We’re more than happy to help the Academy by waiving rookie session fees for its students in the programme. Having these women join our regular members is an important part of their training as it will expose them to teamwork, discipline and endurance in a fun environment.”
Owner of Smitten Coffee & Tea Bar, Darren Chang, adds: “Singapore’s specialty coffee industry is growing and there is always demand for professional local baristas who are well-trained and motivated. And that is a gap that Bettr Barista Coffee Academy’s comprehensive training will fill, whilst also fulfilling a very meaningful mission of providing employment for underprivileged women. It is a win-win situation for all stakeholders, and we give our full support to the programme.”
The Academy is also teaming up with volunteers to incorporate practical workshops on topics such as job interviewing and computer and financial literacy training. To maintain involvement and engagement, programme graduates will also be invited to return as alumni as part of an ongoing mentoring initiative for new students.
The Academy currently works with social service organisations such as Beyond Social Services, various family service centres and community development councils to identify and reach out to potential students for its programme. These students might include single mothers, women from low-income families or youth at risk.
The programme, which targets women aged 17 to 50, costs $3,500 per student to run but is subsidised for qualified individuals who are assessed via an application process that includes two rounds of rigorous interviews to ascertain their emotional readiness and motivation. These students pay only $300 of the total fee, which can come out of their internship stipend. The Academy is supported in part by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports’ (MCYS) Comcare Enterprise Fund.
All additional funding is undertaken by the Academy, which conducts regular coffee appreciation and professional barista training classes for the public at its 1,000-square-foot multi-function space at Burn Road. The Academy also provides customisable coffee sessions for corporates, an interactive brew bar experience for events, and sells coffee accessories and top-grade Arabica beans that it roasts fresh on-site to support its programme. In February this year, Bettr Barista will launch a specialty coffee subscription service, where members of the public can sign up to have a different variety of freshly roasted beans delivered to their doorsteps once every two weeks.
Ms Chng says: “These women are our reason for being and we’re fully committed to helping them. Everyone we talk to responds very positively to what we’re doing but our student numbers are still not as high as they can be. We therefore need the support of more social service organisations to help identify and put forward potential students, as well as corporate sponsorships to keep the programme running.”
For more information on Bettr Barista Coffee Academy, please visit www.bettrbarista.com, or connect via www.facebook.com/BettrBarista and http://twitter.com/BettrBarista.Images can be downloaded from http://bit.ly/bettr-images.
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Media contact:
Pamela Chng / Tania Chew
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Find Us
- 8 Burn Road, Trivex #13-04, Singapore 369977 Tel: +65 6509 0113 (Sorry no retail sales. Meetings by appointment only!) Look for the tall shiny white building opposite Khong Guan Biscuit Factory. Some say our building looks like a condo!
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