Bodacious Coffee and its ripple effect of good

Bodacious Coffee on the power of small, positive actions to create lasting change and how focusing on local communities can spark a ripple effect of good.

The philosophy at Melbourne roaster Bodacious Coffee goes beyond simply crafting a great cup: it’s about creating meaningful solutions that respond to the evolving landscape of coffee production.

Company Director Justin Metcalf says the name embodies boldness and audacity, reflecting its approach to coffee. Historically, he says Bodacious has always used stronger, more robust beans with a focus on providing everyday, “bread-and-butter” coffee.

“This is why we chose the name Bodacious, to reflect that bold, unapologetic approach to the coffee we offer,” he says.

But the hallmark of the company isn’t the coffee it roasts but rather the culture it has built over the course of its 16 years, within both its employee structure and the community it serves.

“Everyone here has a voice and is involved in every aspect of the business. As the owner, my focus is on making sure everyone feels valued, happy, and respected,” says Justin. “The ethos of Bodacious is all about respect – the respect we give to the bean and to the people who work here.”

In a competitive market, Bodacious doesn’t adopt a traditional competitive mindset. Instead, Justin says it focuses on building synergies with the industry’s big players.

Over the years, he’s watched those he’s worked with carve out their own niches and offered support in areas like barista training and early-stage guidance. In return, they’ve occasionally helped Bodacious with roasting coffee.

Justin explains that this led to a natural progression of long-term friendships and professional relationships. For him, true success lies in the partnerships he’s formed.

“From our point of view, we’ve built our own niche,” he says. “We’ve developed a business model and strategic plan that works for us. It’s not about battling against other coffee companies; we’ve chosen a different approach. We focus on our own community and market, where we’ve created a space for ourselves.”

For example, as a board member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Coffee Federation and Director and Chief Education Officer of the ASEAN Federation Institute, he’s had the opportunity to form numerous connections and partnerships. Justin explains that the company’s approach has been to support and grow the market in Southeast Asia and, in turn, this strategy has benefited his business as well.

“We’ve used the ASEAN Coffee Federation model as a foundation and now we’re focusing on bringing that same mindset back to our local community,” he says.

Although this international support is crucial, he says it’s just as important to focus on the company’s own backyard.

“If you look at us from a broader perspective, we certainly talk a lot about what we can do in the coffee world – supporting farmers, purchasing coffee, and all of that. But we also ask, ‘Why not look at how we can help our local community too?’ That’s a big part of our company culture now: engaging with our community, understanding what people need, and finding ways to support them,” says Justin.

“I’m in a great position to say, ‘I am where I am now’, and I want to start giving back to our local area. There are people in our community who are struggling to put food on the table, and that’s something we want to address.”

As a result, Bodacious is increasing its mobility and using its coffee van to connect with people, listen to their needs, and discover ways to offer support.

“We’ve also started a program where a portion of the proceeds from each cup of coffee goes towards funding meals for people in our area who are struggling,” he says.

“It’s about making a tangible difference locally, and it’s something that’s becoming more and more central to our work.”

Currently, one of the roaster’s main partners is Foothills Community Care, a not-for-profit grassroots organisation that provides meals to those in need in outer-east Melbourne.

“They have a wonderful mantra: ‘Everyone is welcome at our table’,” says Justin.

“What really inspired us to get involved is the way they approach community care. It’s not just about providing a free meal on the nights they serve but also creating a space for people – particularly those with disabilities, the elderly, or those who are isolated and lonely – to come together, share a meal, have a chat, or just enjoy a coffee.

“More and more people in the community are getting to know us, understanding what we do, and supporting our efforts. In many ways, the support we’re giving back to the community is also coming back to us. It’s a two-way street, and it’s been great to see that mutual support growing.”

As the market continues to shift, Bodacious is impacted by factors beyond its control, such as rising coffee prices. However, Justin believes one thing within the team’s control is their mindset and how the company chooses to respond to these challenges.

“I’m not going to say ‘Poor us’ because we’re paying over three US dollars per pound for coffee. Instead, I say, ‘Okay, we’re all in this together’,” he says.

“Let’s figure out how we can help people, accept the situation for what it is, and choose to approach it with a positive mindset. I always tell my staff that we have the power to choose how we speak, how we act, and how we do business with others. It’s all about making positive choices, and from our perspective, we choose to make a positive impact.”

Bodacious also gives back to the coffee community through its range of education programs, supporting the next generation of coffee professionals. Leveraging Justin’s role as Director of Education with the ASEAN Coffee Institute, Bodacious has developed its own tailored programs.

“We have Level 1 and Level 2 courses in place, and Level 3 is about to launch,” he says.

We’ve also created what we call the A Grader program, which is not so much a direct competition to the Q Grader but rather a certification focused on the quality of Asian coffees, rather than African, Central American, or South American coffees.”

He adds that the ASEAN Coffee Federation, with his assistance, has developed a new coffee flavour wheel tailored to the tastes, aromas, and flavours of Asian coffees.

“What sets us apart is that our training room is fully accredited by the ASEAN Coffee Institute, which gives us official certification and recognition for the courses we offer. It’s a unique point of difference for us,” says Justin.

Looking to the future, Bodacious aims to continue contributing to its local community and become more involved in activities beyond its current engagements. Justin also hopes to inspire more roasters and industry professionals to take small, tangible steps towards local participation, emphasising that it’s not just about big moves – small actions can make a meaningful impact.

“If I could offer one piece of advice to other roasters and coffee lovers, it would be this: think about your family, your community, and how you can make a positive impact locally,” he says.

“There’s so much opportunity to make a real difference right here at home. That’s something I hope the coffee industry as a whole starts thinking about more – small, positive steps that contribute to our local communities. It’s more sustainable in the long run, and it can create a ripple effect of good.” 

For more information, visit bodaciouscoffee.com.au