Five Minutes with Stew
Stewart Clark has a zest for life that is infectious. He lives each day with a sense of excitement, anticipation and energy that flows naturally through to his work, motivating his crew at Doppio or Nothing Espresso – DONE.
Stew is the founder of Doppio or Nothing and Doppio (meaning “double” in Italian) is the motto by which he likes to experience life. Family, friends and customers know that Doppio experience, so let’s see if we can find out just a little bit more about Stew’s philosophies.
G’day Stew, you have a zest for life and an interesting philosophy on the way that you see “work”. How does this imbue your day to day life?
Life is short so I want to make sure I say yes to as many experiences as I can. To do this my philosophy is work to live, not live to work. This means doing something that you enjoy, if you are happy then you have the energy to bring this into your business and life in general.
This “job” was always a supplement to my teaching hospitality at TAFE part time. It’s now grown into a full time business.
I make a point of employing people that are way smarter than me. If I’m the smartest guy in the room, then I’m in the wrong room. With this in mind I have been able to put some structure and systems in place to keep my philosophy alive. It gives me time to service my customers really well and keep a balanced life.
What is Doppio’s number one priority?
Our customers and their experience with us.
We only supply products we believe in and use ourselves, quality core staples that every café can use. The support and rapport we have with our suppliers is amazing and we have full confidence in the products. Keeping it simple allows us time to give our customers optimum support.
The DONE family is everyone from customers to suppliers to staff and we want to share the DOPPIO philosophy in a habitually happy workplace.
Do you see your business world as something that is integrated into your personal life or something that is separate.
I am a mad keen surfer and I am really lucky to be supplying coffee to a few of the World Surfing League’s events in Australia. So I guess you would have to say that I am stoked that business is definitely integrated into my personal life. I get to travel, hang at the beach and meet my surfing heroes.
What would you be doing now if you did not become DONE? UnDONE?
There are no regrets. If I wasn’t doing this I think I’d still be applying the same philosophy and passion to whatever it was. Like our cold brew called DONE cold brew, if it’s DONE its done, never UnDONE.
Who inspires you?
Chrisso, our operations manager. He is one of those way smarter than me guys. He has this knack of keeping me on track, simplifying my day and getting me to say yes to the right things which in turn gives me more time for what really matters.
Also my family. My parents, brother and my boys inspire me with their unconditional love for whoever wants to accept it.
And finally, every café owner out there. They have to have that energy and guts to put everything on the line for a cup of coffee, great food and service, day after day. Putting everyone else first – that’s hospitality.
What’s the coolest thing you’ve ever done?
Without a doubt, I was the first person to hold my kids when they were born. And then heli-boarding and making good friends when travelling, and getting in the ocean regularly!
What’s a Saturday afternoon like when you’re free of work, what do you do, what does that feel like?
Just hanging with my kids at the skate park or the beach and spending time with people who are special to me. We live in a red hot part of the world so if I can incorporate all that we have with a cruisy afternoon then I am happy.
Good one Stew, it sounds like your hard work is making you lucky. Thanks for your time and for sharing your insights. Just one more question…how do you take your coffee?
Doppio or nothing of course!
