I’ve fallen in love once again. But, it’s not what you think.

I’ve fallen hard, for ONA Coffee – a local business that has taken on the world.

Coordinate was recently invited to pitch for the ONA business, and am delighted that we were chosen to partner with them.

I’ve heard a lot about this business. I’ve frequently visited their café in Manuka and The Cupping Room in the city. And, I’ve just experienced their seriously impressive set up in Fyshwick, The Coffee House, where they roast and distribute coffee, to all over the world.

When I had the opportunity to discuss the ONA business with Founder Sasa Sestic and Business Development Manager Habib Maarbani, I was swept off my feet.

Here in Canberra, this story began with one man from his garage, who loved coffee so much, he set out to explore, innovate and create a deeper connection with coffee and the consumer.

This meant his journey started with going back to the very beginnings and breaking conventions.

This meant collaborating with farmers and producers in order to cultivate, nurture and escort talented beans to our shores, while experimenting with technology and machinery that would determine better ways to best treat coffee through all its stages.

This meant curating a culture where hunters, browners, slurpers, packers, sellers, drivers, teachers, fixers and brewers were all united by one vision – to connect coffee lovers and consumers on a deeper level.

This meant reinventing everything the industry ever knew about coffee.

Today this little business that started in a garage, would go on to represent Canberra and challenge the world.

The Founder of ONA Coffee would compete with the top Baristas from more than 50 countries for the title of World Barista Champion.

In just 15 minutes, Sestic would prepare four espressos, four cappuccinos and four signature drinks.

Like he had his whole career, he would produce a signature drink that disrupted the whole coffee ideology, crafting a world class coffee that was quintessentially Canberran.

With a splash of Canberra Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier juice, which Sestic ferried to the United States as part of his championship kit, he would be crowned the World Barista Champion for 2015.

And with one encounter, and in learning of this extraordinary story of ONA, the passion, commitment and desire to be brilliant, reminded me exactly why I fell in love with business and with Canberra.

In this very city, brilliant possibilities unfold every day. The story of ONA is one I can’t wait to help share, but more importantly, I can’t wait to help create the next chapter.