Phil McGovern on Starting Caffeine & Machine, Angry Local Residents and Overseas Plans
About this episode
Phil McGovern shares the journey of establishing Caffeine & Machine, a unique automotive cafe that faced initial resistance from local residents. He discusses the challenges of securing licenses, creating a welcoming community, and the importance of events that cater to diverse automotive enthusiasts. Phil reflects on the evolution of the brand, future expansion plans, and the significance of maintaining a genuine connection with the community. His insights into balancing business growth with community values make for an engaging conversation about passion and entrepreneurship in the automotive world.
In this episode of Talkin' Shop, Louis and Aaron sit down with Phil McGovern, the visionary behind Caffeine & Machine, at one of his latest venues—The Bowl. Phil opens up about the brand’s journey from a café in Dubai to a cultural movement that bridges automotive enthusiasm, community, and lifestyle.
They dig into the origins of Caffeine & Machine and the story behind each location, the uphill battles with local councils and communities, Phil’s automotive love affair with Jaguar and what the future holds for C&M, including a possible international expansion.
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Phil McGovern:
https://www.instagram.com/philmcgovern/
Caffeine & Machine
https://www.instagram.com/caffeineandmachine/
https://caffeineandmachine.com/
The Cult of Machine:
https://www.instagram.com/thecultofmachine/
https://www.thecultofmachine.com/
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Lotus Esprit
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Porsche 918 Spyder
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Mclaren P1
"but there was a, I remember being in a McLaren P1 in Dubai, a bright orange one,"
Ford Scorpio
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