The goal of the Pomelo Junto group is to create a sanctuary for coffee business owners seeking camaraderie and candid feedback to propel them into the orbit they’ve been aiming for.

pomelo junto group

pomelo junto group

The goal of the Pomelo Junto group is to create a sanctuary for coffee business owners seeking camaraderie and candid feedback to propel them into the orbit they’ve been aiming for.

Best Value

$750/6 mo.

Choose this tier to receive:

(6) Junto meetings, 1x per month
(2) 1:1 meetings with Luke - (1) goal-setting meeting at the beginning of the Junto and (1) retrospective meeting at the conclusion of the Junto group
Access to all Junto members via Slack
*Each Junto group will be capped at 6 members, and applying does not guarantee a spot in the Junto.

Apply Here

Most Bang For Your Buck

$1,350/6 mo.

Choose this tier to receive:

(6) Junto meetings, 1x per month
(2) 1:1 meetings with Luke - (1) goal-setting meeting at the beginning of the Junto and (1) retrospective meeting at the conclusion of the Junto group
Access to all Junto members via Slack
(2) 1:1 meetings with Luke throughout the Junto
*Each Junto group will be capped at 6 members, and applying does not guarantee a spot in the Junto.

Apply Here

Most 1:1 Meetings

$2,400/6 mo.

Choose this tier to receive:

(6) Junto meetings, 1x per month
(2) 1:1 meetings with Luke - (1) goal-setting meeting at the beginning of the Junto and (1) retrospective meeting at the conclusion of the Junto group
Access to all Junto members via Slack
(1) monthly 1:1 meeting throughout the Junto totallying (6) 1:1 meetings
*Each Junto group will be capped at 6 members, and applying does not guarantee a spot in the Junto.

Apply Here

What to Expect

Each meeting will include the following:
Group learnings & observations from the recommended monthly reading, listening & writing opportunities
Previous month's wins & losses
Space to share specific challenges members are facing
Opportunity to provide support and feedback
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.
4-6 Owners + the Facilitator
1-1.5 hours long
The Junto will meet once per month.
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.
Each meeting will be held virtually.
January 2025

Who Will Facilitate?

Luke Waite

Luke Waite s the founder and principal consultant of Pomelo Coffee Consulting. His specialty coffee background is marked by turning cafes, cold brew companies and roasters that are in the red into companies that are highly efficient and fortified in the black.

Prior to consulting, he worked for four different roasters across Chicago (Metric Coffee, Five & Hoek Coffee, Passion House Coffee Roasters and Pickwick Coffee Roasters - purchased by Limitless Coffee in 2017). Now he specializes in 3 key areas for growing roasters: their people, their processes, and their profit. He believes that these three elements are key to improving efficiency and building a business that can last.

He has deep knowledge of CPG productization, RTD cold brew beverage sales strategy, as well as deep understanding of pricing and operational structures for specialty coffee roasters. In addition to Pomelo, he owns a branding agency, The Lev Co, which specializes in design and strategy for specialty coffee. Because of his experience across cafes, cold brew / RTD beverages, education, sales, operations, and design; he approaches client engagements holistically.

In addition to operations & design, Luke regularly speaks at conferences and to private groups on operations and leadership. Some of his more notable speaking engagements were: Specialty Coffee Expo (2024, 2023), Go Fund Bean (2023). Coffee Fest Chicago (2022), the Wilmington Coffee Fest (2023) as well as to Cafe Inclusivo (2022) a project of Swisscontact.

Luke’s goal for Pomelo, and the whole industry, is for specialty coffee roasters to gain operational stability so they can make a positive impact on the industry and world.

Learn more about Luke