Hi! I’m Gene. I came to the UK in 2011 to study Mathematics at the University of Oxford, where I quickly fell in love with the country — and with visiting one coffee shop after another. I became a maths teacher in 2014 and spent many years creating lessons that were anything but ordinary. From murder mysteries to escape-room challenges, I loved making learning fun and memorable — experiences that later laid a strong foundation for my event-planning skills.

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Over time, my teaching career grew, and I took on roles including Key Stage 5 Team Leader, Key Stage 4 Team Leader, and eventually Deputy Head of Maths.

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During the pandemic in 2020, I experienced severe burnout after a prolonged period of overworking. Alongside designing an entirely new online curriculum for my school, I also took on additional teaching loads to cover sick colleagues. After recovering, I was inspired to rethink my priorities, rediscover my talents, and reconnect with my long-held dreams. That same year, while studying part-time and exploring new business ideas, two mischievous cats joined our family: Toothless (a black boy cat) and Totoro (a black-and-white girl cat).

In 2021, I decided to take a leap of faith and pursue a new career path — one that allowed my creativity and love for community to flourish even further. I completed the SCA Barista Foundation Qualification and latte art training that summer. I volunteered at Dove Café in Beaconsfield, later becoming their short-term Assistant Manager, before opening my own coffee shop: Black Cat Coffee Club.

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What started behind the bar soon grew into something much bigger. Hosting events and bringing people together became just as important to me as the coffee itself. Although Black Cat Coffee Club sadly closed after almost two wonderful years of serving great brews and hosting heart-warming community events, my coffee journey was only just beginning.

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Today, I am a Certified CQI & CVA Arabica Q-Grader, working across coffee quality, education, and events, and actively involved in coffee competitions. Through my new business, Tribe Coffee Workshop, I partner with Cupping Directive as a consultant, supporting quality-focused events and educational initiatives. I also work in quality control for Waypoint Coffee.

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At the heart of everything I do is a love for learning, sharing knowledge, and creating welcoming spaces where people can connect over truly great coffee.