What began as a passion project in a London back garden has blossomed into a thriving £500,000-a-year coffee enterprise for one determined couple. Shai Eilon and his partner Maya Haiman-Eilon, both 50, are the masterminds behind Mont58 Coffee, a brand that has captivated coffee lovers with its unique journey from humble beginnings to B Corp certified success.
From Corporate Marketing to Coffee Roasting
Shai Eilon spent two decades building a successful career in marketing, earning a substantial £150,000 annual salary, but felt something was missing from his life. 'I earned a lot of money, but I wanted balance in my life,' Shai explains. 'Having a corporate job sometimes means you don't see your kids so often and you travel a lot. I wanted to be more present and more healthy.'
The couple's love for coffee wasn't just a casual interest – they were genuine connoisseurs who had studied coffee extensively and sampled beans from around the world. Shai recalls his early fascination, remembering the excitement of getting his first home barista machine at a young age. When the time came for a career change in 2019, coffee presented itself as the natural choice.
The Garden Cabin That Started It All
The couple's ambitious venture began literally in their own back garden. They constructed a coffee cabin at the end of their garden, which conveniently backed onto a public park. 'It took time building the cabin but we got there and had a lovely set up, and we started roasting,' Shai recalls.
Their strategic location proved to be a masterstroke. 'We had a gate to the park, so in 2020 we cut half of the gate and started offering coffee. Suddenly we had a queue of people.' The simple act of offering passersby a chat and a coffee had unexpectedly launched their business.
The transition from corporate life to entrepreneurship was carefully planned. Shai maintained six months of savings as a safety net and continued roasting while employed for a year before fully committing. Maya kept her graphics job for several years, providing financial stability while working part-time on their growing coffee business.
Expansion and Community Support
As demand skyrocketed, the couple needed larger premises and found a space in Ashford, Kent for their roasting operations. Their most significant milestone came when they decided to open a 'proper' coffee shop in South East London after years of hesitation.
'It took a while to find the right place because we also do all the packing and online order prep here, but we fell in love with our Kirkdale shop, in a beautiful listed building a part of the original Sydenham High Street,' Maya shares.
The couple's commitment to local collaboration shone through in their setup. They enlisted their next-door neighbour, a cabinet maker, for all carpentry work and launched a successful crowdfunding campaign that demonstrated overwhelming local support. 'It was exciting and a really great decision as we love being in the shop and getting to know our customers face to face,' Maya adds.
Remarkable Growth and Future Plans
Six years after their initial leap of faith, Mont58 Coffee now turns over £500,000 annually and employs 18 people, some on a freelance basis. The business has experienced staggering growth, with turnover increasing by up to 50% year-on-year – a trend they expect to maintain or exceed in the coming year.
Beyond the impressive financials, the couple achieved recognition as one of Small Business Saturday's top small businesses for 2025. Their B Corp certification further validates their commitment to ethical business practices.
Reflecting on their journey, Shai acknowledges the challenges: 'I achieved everything I wanted to achieve when I made the career switch. It's not always been the easiest, it's not all rosy and there are challenges. I used to manage a team of people where I could delegate, but now running a small business I wear all the hats.'
Despite taking a significant pay cut initially, Shai confirms he's now 'happier, healthier — and richer in more ways than one.' With plans to expand to two additional sites in South East London, Mont58 Coffee continues to brew success, one carefully roasted bean at a time.
