When Alex and Michelle opened Nido (nee•dough) in Dulwich, they didn’t come armed with years of hospitality experience or industry connections. They came with a clear vision, a willingness to learn, and the understanding that great coffee speaks for itself.
For the first eight months, Michelle ran the café entirely on her own. While Alex worked to figure out the financials and operations, Michelle held the floor — learning the rhythms of a busy café service, the demands of a commercial espresso setup, and what it really takes to build a loyal customer base from scratch.
The challenge of building on a quiet street
Nido isn’t on a high street. There’s no guaranteed footfall, no passing trade to fall back on. From day one, Alex and Michelle knew they had to earn every customer through quality and reputation alone.
“We had to rely on word of mouth to increase foot traffic through the door,” Alex told us. It’s a challenge that many independent café owners face — and one that makes the quality of your coffee offering non-negotiable.
The equipment behind the operation
To deliver the consistency their reputation depends on, Nido run a setup built for performance: a Victoria Arduino Mythos One AND a Mahlkonig EK43. It’s a considered combination — reliable, precise, and capable of handling the demands of a growing operation without compromise.
Where they are now?
What started as a one-woman operation is now a team of five — and growing. The quiet street that once felt like a challenge has become part of the Nido identity: a destination worth seeking out rather than stumbling upon.
At All Things Coffee, we work with independent hospitality businesses at every stage — from first setup to scaling operations. If you’re figuring out your equipment needs or just want to talk through your options, we’re here to help.