owners, joined for a common purpose
Junto is a cohort of roastery owners offering camaraderie, candid feedback, and professional development, exclusively for owners of coffee roasters.
Owners can expect…
Monthly peer-to-peer coaching sessions and learning opportunities, with optional 1:1 coaching sessions and access to top roastery owners from around the United States.
Owner cohorts include:
One monthly group coaching session (90 minute) — an annual value of $2,250+ if billed at Pomelo’s hourly rate
Books, articles, and resources that align with learning opportunities which have reshaped past members’ businesses — $200+ value
Leadership assessment and corresponding video resources — $50+ value
A rotating “hot seat” — each month, one owner presents a project, topic, or challenge to receive feedback from the cohort
Shared strategy, support and candid feedback on the projects you’re working on
Each cohort is capped at 6 members and intentionally kept intimate to foster trust and open dialogue
Ongoing access to all past and present junto members via Slack
Add On’s
1-on-1 coaching sessions with Luke Waite for $200 per hour (A value of $250 per hour)
Who’s a Good Fit?
If you own and operate a specialty coffee roastery and you’re serious about your personal and professional development, this group might be for you. Here’s an outline of the typical members.
Typical Junto members:
Revenue
Team
75% have a Bachelor’s degree
25% have a Master’s degree
16% have their PhD
Education
Value
They value candid feedback, are committed to personal and professional growth, and are looking for thoughtful business connections.
Have 3 - 80 employees.
Generate between $300K - $5 million in annual revenue
If you don’t fit the above, or perhaps haven’t opened your business yet, we’d still love to connect and support you, but this group is reserved for current owners of coffee roasteries.
How much is the Junto Cohort?
$500/month
Includes:
Monthly 90-minute group sessions
Community access via Slack with curated weekly discussion questions
Curriculum books
1–2 Hot Seat presentations to receive feedback from peers
How much value does Junto create?
Junto has supported owners…
Dramatically decreasing processing fees.
Annual increase in revenue of $170,000+/- for one owner.
Getting profitable after loosing money for years.
Annual increase in revenue of $72,000+/- for one owner.
In evaluating their pricing and developing strategy to increase their pricing.
An increase of $30,000 for another owner.
Reorganizing their team structure.
One owner saved multiple hours per week per team member.
In aligning sales strategies and structure with long-term growth goals.
Revenue increase of approximately $75,000 for one owner.
Value Created
Apply now to be added to the waitlist.
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What To Expect
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Junto runs year round and members are added every month.
Reserve your spot in the next one here!
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Junto blends group learning with optional 1:1 consulting aiding owners in meeting their OKR’s, their team development and overall business goals.
Group meetings include:
Learnings and observations from the reading, listening and writing opportunities specifically tailored for owners professional development.
Previous month's wins & losses.
A confidential space to share business challenges paired with candid feedback.
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Within the 4 walls of the virtual rooms of this Junto, what is shared remains between us.
The point is to create an environment where owners can have open conversations around their businesses and their own professional development.
Our community is built on a foundation of unwavering support. Every interaction is driven by a tone of encouragement, aiming not to dictate, but to foster growth through thoughtful questions and insights gained from our own learning.
In this group, collaboration triumphs over competition. Each member is viewed not as a rival, but as a partner in creating businesses that make a positive impact and foster each member’s professional development.
As a member of this Junto, you are stepping into a space where confidentiality is paramount. What is shared here remains between us, creating a safe environment for open and honest conversations.
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4-6 Owners + the Facilitator
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Group Meetings: 1-1.5 hours long
1:1 Consulting Sessions: 1 hour -
The Junto group meet once per month.
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During the application process, each applicant chooses a day/time that is best for them and the majority of votes will determine the day/time for the Junto group to meet.
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Each meeting will be held virtually.
Join the waitlist.
Join the waitlist.
Owners say…
Andy Fuchtman
Sidecar Coffee
“I have seen myself...from the outside...through conversations with other owners and that's a hard perspective to get but a super helpful one.”
Julie Luster
Three Waves Coffee
“The Junto program was a game-changer for Three Waves Coffee. With Luke's guidance across sales, production, and packaging we implemented changes that turned our financial struggles into a story of success. Thanks to Luke, Three Waves Coffee is now on a promising path to profitability. I highly recommend Pomelo for anyone ready to enhance their coffee business strategy and achieve tangible results!”
Murtaza Aziz
Ceramic Coffee Roasters
“For me, the writing prompts, the voice assessment, and the accountability have been most helpful.”
Who facilitates?
Who facilitates?
Luke Waite
Luke Waite is the founder and principal consultant of Pomelo Coffee Consulting, known for transforming struggling coffee roasters into highly efficient and profitable businesses.
Roastery Experience
Before consulting, he worked with four Chicago-based roasters (Metric Coffee, Five & Hoek Coffee, Passion House Coffee Roasters and Pickwick).
Consulting Approach
Luke created a framework (Core 7) for working with roasters that stems from his experience and expertise in running cold brew companies, overseeing sales and pricing strategy as well as branding and operations. He takes a holistic and integrated approach to client engagements.
Speaking
Luke frequently speaks on leadership and operations at events like Specialty Coffee Expo (‘25, ‘24, ‘23), Go Fund Bean (‘23), Coffee Fest Chicago (‘22), the Wilmington Coffee Fest (‘24, ‘23) as well as at Cafe Inclusivo (‘22) a project of Swisscontact.
His Goal
To help roasters achieve operational stability so they can make a positive impact on the industry and world.