145. Nick Stone, CEO & Founder of Bluestone Lane
Hurdle with Emily Abbate
iHeartPodcasts
4.9 • 1.4K Ratings
🗓️ 25 January 2021
⏱️ 60 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
What do Taylor Swift, Sarah Jessica Parker, Malcom Gladwell, and Hugh Jackman have in common? They've all — at one point or another — frequented Bluestone Lane to grab their java. Founded in 2013, the Australian-inspired chain of cafés serve everything from their signature flat white and loaded avocado toast to grain bowls and tasty lattes. For episode 145, I'm chatting with Nick Stone, who founded the concept in Midtown Manhattan while still working full-time in the finance industry. The Australian-born entrepreneur and former Australian Football League player shares his inspiration for the massive career pivot into hospitality, and how he knew from early on that their concept would be bigger than just the first couple shops. Also: We chat extensively about how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the company, how he keeps a positive mindset amidst the chaos, and what excites him about for the year to come.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | I think it's really important when chips are down and times are tough to be incredibly empathetic, |
| 0:07.5 | to be a really great listener, to be pragmatic and bold to tackle problems assertively and responsibly. Hey, everyone, Emily Abadi here bringing you episode 145 of Hurtle, a wellness focus podcast where I sit down with inspiring individuals to talk about |
| 0:39.0 | everything from their big wins to how they've gotten through some of life's toughest moments. |
| 0:44.2 | On the show, you can expect vulnerability, motivation, and candid discussions with everyone |
| 0:49.9 | from top athletes to aspiring entrepreneurs on what it really takes to follow your passions. |
| 0:56.0 | My mission is simple to inspire you to be your best self, move with intention, and have some |
| 1:02.5 | fun along the way. For today's episode, I am so excited to be chatting with Nick Stone. |
| 1:08.1 | He is the founder and CEO of Blue Stone Lane, an Australian-inspired |
| 1:13.5 | chain of cafes well known for their unbelievable coffee, but they also serve, oh my God, |
| 1:20.0 | so much delicious stuff, everything from avocado toast and apple crumble porridge to warm chicken |
| 1:26.8 | and greens bowls, chicken and baking |
| 1:28.8 | club sandwiches, green baked eggs. I mean, the list goes on. This stuff is so good and so, |
| 1:35.9 | so fresh. Today, we chat about a lot of things. We cover a lot of bases. Nick tells me about |
| 1:42.0 | his backstory at one point being an Australian |
| 1:45.5 | Football League player before transitioning to banking and finance and then ultimately |
| 1:50.2 | into the hospitality business. We talk about where his head was at when opening his first |
| 1:55.0 | cafe, which was conveniently located next to his full-time job at the time in Midtown Manhattan. And we also chat about, |
| 2:03.4 | man, how this year has been for Bluestone Lane in the wake of the pandemic. At one point, |
| 2:08.8 | the pandemic eliminating 90% of the company's revenue and having to let go hundreds of workers. |
| 2:16.9 | Nick talks to me about how they navigated that, |
| 2:19.4 | how he truly believes that no matter how hard it gets, there is a place for positivity and |
| 2:24.9 | optimism. And he fills me in on his guiding principles as a founder, as a leader, |
... |
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