Grant Lang

Shared by Ed Make Your Mark team

Grant set up a fairtrade organic coffee service company in 2005. Mozzo is dedicated to sourcing, sharing and serving the finest ethical espresso experiences. Here are his answers to our questions about being in business.

How did your idea come about and how did you get your first break?

A passion for quality coffee, exploring new ideas and anger at lack of use of green technologies. I got my first break by talking to people and being a pest - if you don’t ask you don’t get!

How did you get access to finance?

My own (very small!) savings, family and outside investors.

Have you ever worked for someone else?

No… hopefully I wont have to ever!

How would you encourage someone to ‘take the plunge’ and overcome a fear of failure?

Go for it… talk to people… listen… back your idea and have fun!

Why did you decide to set up as a social enterprise?

Businesses should be measured by their social and environmental impact… is that not obvious in the global community we live in?

How would you describe a social enterprise?

Value driven… not profit driven!

How do you think you could encourage more young people to set up social enterprises?

By sharing the Mozzo story… we are still writing it! Social Enterprise needs the same mindset and attitude as a pure profit-making organisation but it needs to be built with values as its aim… getting people to grasp this is hard. Social Enterprises can and are delivering quality, competitive products and services… many public and private organisations have been slow to get this!