Brewing success how the crafted cup turned ambition into opportunity

Brewing a bigger vision

When Adam Malik opened The Crafted Cup in 2020, it was a single neighbourhood café built around a simple idea quality coffee, sourced ethically and roasted in-house.
Word spread quickly. Within two years, queues were out the door on weekends, and demand from local cafés for wholesale beans was rising fast.

But growth brought challenges. The original roaster was running at full capacity, and Adam wanted to open a second site while maintaining the same quality.
He needed funding to expand, but traditional lenders viewed hospitality as high risk making approvals slow and complicated.

Finding support that fits

That’s when Adam found Lumo Money.
He completed a quick online application and connected his business bank through open banking. Within a day, he received an offer for flexible funding designed to scale with seasonal revenue.

“The speed and clarity were incredible. I could see repayments upfront and adjust the plan to fit our cash flow.”

With the loan approved, Adam invested in a larger roaster, upgraded packaging equipment, and secured a lease for a second café location in the city centre.

Turning ambition into growth

The results came quickly. With new equipment and more staff, roasting output increased 40%, and wholesale sales tripled within six months.
The second location, launched in early 2025, became profitable within its first quarter driving a 55% uplift in total revenue across the business.

Beyond sales, the funding gave Adam breathing space to focus on brand-building and partnerships with local bakeries and co-working spaces.
The Crafted Cup became not just a café but a trusted name in Manchester’s independent coffee scene.

Growing with purpose

For Adam, funding was not just about money it was about creating stability.
The flexible repayment plan allowed him to manage cash flow through seasonal shifts, keeping operations steady during quieter months.

“Having a financial partner who understands how small businesses really work made all the difference. Lumo helped us plan growth, not just survive it.”

Looking ahead, The Crafted Cup plans to launch an online subscription service and expand distribution across the North West proof that with the right support, small businesses can scale sustainably while staying true to their craft.