Singapore Cafe Owner Discusses How She Transforms Lives And Livelihoods Through Coffee – CoffeeTalk

Bettr Coffee @ The Foundry is a speciality coffee brand founded by Pamela Chng, who has been dedicated to transforming lives and livelihoods through coffee. The brand’s first sit-down space, located within The Foundry, is a refuge, training ground, and a belief that in the right hands, coffee can do far more than just fill a cup. Chng has built her life around this approach to coffee for nearly 15 years, starting with burnout at a web consultancy she co-founded in 2002.

Chng’s decision to prioritize purpose over profit led to the founding of the Bettr Group, along with its retail and roastery arm Bettr Coffee and its training arm Bettr Academy, in 2011. The company was founded in 2011 with the belief that coffee can change lives. At the time, the speciality coffee industry in Singapore was in its early stages, giving Chng an opportunity to address inequality and systemic issues at multiple levels.

Chng’s passion for coffee also led her to volunteer on the board of directors of the global coffee trade association Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) for six years. During this time, she gained a better understanding of the inner workings of the global coffee industry and its challenges, which she shares gave her valuable insight into “making coffee better as an industry.” With the Bettr Group, Chng has developed an entirely new business model that integrates social impact at every level. More than just another speciality coffee brand, Bettr Coffee is dedicated to ethical sourcing, working with farmers and growers across Asia and Latin America who share its commitment to fair trade, transparency, and climate-resilient practices.

Bettr Coffee even shares information about the source of its beans on its online retail shop. Its Eureka blend, for example, combines naturally processed coffee from Brazil and Ethiopia, respectively sourced through North American speciality coffee supplier Covoya Coffee’s Café Delas programme and Bettr Coffee’s direct trade partner Lulo Coffee. The company offers coffee gear and equipment to help brew the perfect cup at home.

The Bettr Academy, a SCA Premier Training Campus, provides professional beverage education, courses, workshops, and initiatives that include social programs for youths and work-and-train ones for marginalized individuals. The comprehensive Holistic Training Programme (HTP) combines rigorous barista and customer service training with emotional intelligence, physical wellness, and life skills development, equipping marginalized individuals with the skills needed to become self-sufficient.

Above Bettr Coffee @ The Foundry’s spaces were designed with community in mind, with one success story shared by Yati, a single mum who enrolled in the HTP in 2023. With support from her counsellor and the team, Yati not only completed the program but also rebuilt her self-confidence. Today, Yati works at Bettr Coffee @ The Foundry, showing how their holistic approach changes lives.

Bettr Coffee, a social enterprise, has opened a sit-down café at The Foundry, a pet-friendly space designed to foster community and showcase its philosophy. The café offers a warm, welcoming environment with indoor and outdoor seating, fostering connection and conversation. The brand’s commitment to fresh, traceable ingredients is reflected in a herb garden. The menu features familiar favorites like oat milk lattes and more experimental offerings like Prefer, Bettr Coffee’s bean-free, decaffeinated coffee made from upcycled bread, soya bean pulp, and spent barley grains. The café also offers craft cocktails and natural wines, such as the Bettr Old Fashioned, which features whisky fat-washed with brown butter and spent coffee grounds. The menu also includes pastries and savoury dishes, such as grilled chicken sarnies with house-made pesto and Gouda.

For Chng, running a social enterprise is challenging, as it requires achieving social impact while generating enough revenue to sustain operations. Despite the challenges, she finds her work deeply rewarding and hopeful about the future. She emphasizes the importance of never losing sight of the core purpose, as many of the people they support find themselves in circumstances beyond their control. The company plans to expand beyond Singapore into Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia, to create a dual impact by supporting vulnerable communities and strengthening relationships with coffee-growing regions.

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