Business learners impress judges in Coffee Branding Pitches

Business students at EKC Sheppey College showcased their entrepreneurial skills in a competitive coffee branding pitch exercise.  

Tasked with developing a new coffee brand for all East Kent Colleges Group sites, the students focused on high-quality, ethically sourced, and sustainable brands that also supported The Teenage Cancer Trust, a charity the College has been promoting. 

The brands aimed to capture a broad demographic of staff and students, with not only a unique brand identity, but also to emphasise taste and sustainability. 

Judging the Sheppey students’ pitches were Principal Alexandra Syrotiuk, Programme Director Lily-Mae Kew, and Refectory Manager Jane Priaulx, who provided insightful feedback and ultimately selected a winner. 

The first pitch of the day was from Madison, who presented Blissful Sips, a brand centered on relaxation and mindfulness. 

“The simple colours could attract customers. My idea was to help those who are struggling to relax and calm down, making their coffee moment more about them. 

“When I relax, I like to think of forests and flowers, and I want customers to think of their relaxing place when they drink this. My brand is all about relaxation and could expand into other beverages to brighten someone’s day.” 

The judges praised the mindfulness focus and aromatic themes of the brand, with Principal, Alexandra, noting the appeal of promoting moments of calm during coffee breaks. Refectory Manager, Jane, liked the thoughtful name, which she felt could resonate with a wide audience. 

Next up was Lily, who pitched Vintage Brew, a brand inspired by the Isle of Sheppey’s rich history. Using recognisable imagery, such as the SS Montgomery, Lily’s packaging aims to connect coffee with local heritage. 

“I chose to incorporate the history of the dockyard to make people aware of their surroundings. 

“My brand uses brown to symbolize coffee beans and wood, with gold representing richness and elegance. It’s a way to let people know about our local history while enjoying their coffee.”   

The judges admired Lily’s creativity with her brand. They appreciated her consideration of product expansion, including colour-coded packaging to represent decaffeinated options and other varieties. 

The final pitch came from Joshua, who impressed the judges with Ocean Brew Coffee, a brand inspired by Kent’s coastal areas. His presentation featured lifelike mockups of sustainable coffee cups and strong local branding elements. 

“The design reflects Kent’s beaches, including the three rated ‘excellent’ on the Island, and the lighthouses, helping customers to recognise and support a local business. 

“I also included coffee beans in the logo to tie the brand together. With this, I wanted consumers to think about the reasons behind their purchase and make an emotional connection.” 

Joshua’s pitch stood out for its thoughtful design and ties to both sustainability and the local area. The judges appreciated his ability to explain his branding decisions and their impact on the customer overall. 

After much deliberation, the judges selected Joshua and Ocean Brew Coffee as the winner. His brand’s strong connection to local themes and the depth of thought behind his presentation earned him the top spot.  

Joshua will now represent Sheppey in the finals at EKC Canterbury College, where the ultimate winner’s brand will be applied to the new coffee range across the East Kent Colleges Group. 

Speaking of the day, Principal, Alexandra said; “It’s the first time the students have done anything like this, but they were all so confident with their pitches. All the brands were well thought out, but Joshua’s pitch was very strong. I can see him pitching for his own business one day. We can’t wait to see how he fares in the final.” 

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