If you've ever wondered how Flight actually came to be then grab a coffee, this one's worth the read.
Our co-founder Nick Clark recently sat down with Annah Stretton on her podcast, Stretton Unfiltered, for a proper no-holds-barred chat about nearly two decades of building Flight in one of the most competitive coffee markets in the country.
From a tiny café in Wellington to shelves, offices, cafés, beans, pods and cans across New Zealand - it's been a story with plenty of twists and turns. And as Nick puts it, it certainly wasn't a straight line.
"We spent about a year trying to sell coffee, but everyone was like, 'Who are you?"
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The Bits You Don't Always See
The conversation goes beyond the highlight reel. Nick talks openly about the challenges that shaped Flight — from early setbacks and failed opportunities, to navigating one of the toughest periods the hospitality industry has ever faced.
One moment in particular stands out.
"Overnight, 97% of our revenue was just dead."
COVID forced the team to rethink almost every part of the business. What followed was a period of reinvention that ultimately helped shape the Flight you know today.
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More Than Just Coffee
One theme runs through the entire conversation: relationships. From the customers who've supported Flight over the years, to the producers and communities in Colombia — people have always been at the centre of what Flight does.
Nick shares stories from visiting coffee farms, working directly with growers, and building the long-term partnerships that have helped shape the quality and values behind Flight.
"We were just sponges for probably about two years."
Learning, listening, and constantly trying to improve has been part of the journey from day one.
Thanks for Being Part of the Story
Whether you've been drinking Flight for years or only just discovered us, you're part of this story too.
This conversation is a chance to hear what happened behind the scenes — the wins, the near misses, the lessons learned, and the moments that could have changed everything.
We're proud of how far Flight has come, and grateful to everyone who's helped get us here.
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