Three women share their journey into the world of coffee beans, roasting and pouring
From sourcing and roasting to the daily ins and outs of running a business, Melanie Mullan talks to the women making it work in coffee.
Kirsten Butler, Co-owner, Three Bridges Coffee Drive-Thru
Opening a coffee shop wasn’t on Kirsten Butler’s to-do list, but when her then fiancé, now husband, suggested it, she didn’t shoot him down. “The idea really started with Gerard. One day, he came home and said, ‘I want to open a coffee shop,’ and I just said, ‘Yeah, go on, do it then!’ He jokes that I didn’t think it would work, but it wasn’t that at all – I just didn’t think he’d actually go through with it.”
The couple opened the gates to Three Bridges coffee in September 2024, and the drive-thru coffee shop in Carrick-on-Suir has integrated right in with the local community, something that is important to them and the business. “Community involvement is something we really care about. In our first month, we organised a community hike that raised money for the Carrick-on-Suir Lions Club, and we’re hoping to run another one in the next few months.”
Aside from co-owning the coffee shop, Kirsten juggles other jobs that keep her busy, from hosting radio shows to a modelling career, so she’s lucky to have manager Kay to look after the day-to-day business while Kirsten works behind the scenes on the brand’s social media content and website development. “At the start, I was very involved in the day to day. I helped train the staff, learned the different machines, the general run of the place and made sure everything was running smoothly. I spent the first six months running between jobs and spending long days at the shop, office and studio. It was hectic, but it was also such an exciting time. We were lucky to find an amazing manager, Kay, who now handles the shop day to day, which has given me more space to focus on other parts of the business while still working my other jobs.”
While Kirsten loves connecting with others in the coffee world and chatting with those who are passionate about what they do, she thrives on the creativity that the job brings. “Trying new products, introducing new drinks, seeing what people respond to… It’s all trial and error, but when something lands, it’s really rewarding. Being in this industry has let me use all my skills at once, grow new ones, and be part of something that brings people a little joy in their day.”
Claire Cullen, Co-founder, The Fat Fox
For Claire Cullen, baking and cooking was always in her bones, from writing her first cookbook at age ten to running her own baking business by age 16. But after studying culinary arts in DIT, she realised that a career in fine dining wasn’t for her. “I loved food, but I loved people even more. It was the cafés, the community, the everyday ritual of someone grabbing their coffee, treating themselves to a cake, or having a moment of pause in the middle of a busy day. That’s what I wanted to be part of.”
The Fat Fox opened its doors on Camden Row in September 2016, its vibrant branding and welcoming team becoming the go-to spot in an otherwise quiet location in Dublin’s city centre. “I had a deep instinct for what I wanted to build. A place that felt warm, thoughtful, creative and energising. The Fat Fox was born from a mix of gut instinct, obsession, and a genuine love for creating spaces where people feel good. A little pocket of community in a big city.”
Since then, The Fat Fox has grown and evolved, but not without its hurdles. Losing the lease on their first premises and trying to find a new home for what they had worked so hard to create was a challenging insight into running a business, which Claire openly shared with their loyal social media followers. They eventually found a new home in Delgany, a drive-thru pop-up in an old petrol station which was supposed to be for a three-month period – they’re still there today. Later came a sit-down premises in Greystones, with an on-site coffee roastery, as well as a return to Claire’s first business venture with The Fox and the Flour, a celebration and wedding cake business.
Despite the many challenges, including that of being a female business owner and the “constant pressure to prove yourself ”, the reward far outshines the negative for Claire. “The most rewarding part of the journey has honestly been seeing the impact this little idea has had on people, both inside and outside the business. Knowing that I’ve built something from the ground up, with a lot of craft, care and love. Something that brings people comfort, joy or even just a small moment of calm in the middle of a busy day. That’s the real reward.”
Anne Abberton, Founder and CEO, Fixx Coffee
Twelve years working in travel and living abroad between the USA, Portugal, France and Gambia, experiencing the vibrant coffee culture each country had to offer was the catalyst to start Fixx for Anne Abberton. “Coffee was more than a drink – it was a reason to meet, to connect. I believed Ireland was ready for that same culture.” Fixx, a one-stop coffee emporium that provides wholesale and subscription coffee as well as brew equipment and gear, was started in 2004 with everything from the coffee sourcing to distribution looked after by Anne and her team. No working day is the same when it comes to running her business, but Anne has a strong team behind her to help keep it running smoothly. “Each day starts with coffee at the warehouse. With a solid team handling the daily operation, I focus on checking in on trade customers either by phone or with a visit. Time is then usually shared between supply chain coordination, reviewing financial performance and monitoring any sales and marketing campaigns. Coffee tastings remain a highlight. No two days are the same, and that’s what I enjoy about the business.”
With over 20 years’ experience in the industry, Anne has noticed the positive change the growing coffee industry in Ireland has had over the years. “When I started, roles consisted mainly of roasters and sales reps. Today, it’s much more diverse, with many career opportunities, such as baristas, educators, sensory professionals (Q graders, or certified coffee tasters) and researchers. For years, the coffee world in Ireland was male-dominated, but that has changed and it’s wonderful to see so many women now involved. I believe Fixx remains Ireland’s only 100 per cent female-owned coffee business. Hopefully, I will be joined by others in the future.”
Photography by Jo Murphy.
This article originally appeared in the Autumn 2025 issue of IMAGE. Have you thought about becoming an IMAGE subscriber? Our Print & Digital Magazine subscribers receive all four issues of IMAGE Magazine and two issues of IMAGE Interiors directly to their door along with digital access to all digital magazines and our full digital archive along with a luxury gift from La Bougie worth €75. Visit here to find out more about our IMAGE subscription packages.
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