FOUNDER'S STORY

Hello

I'm James, founder of Glaze. I'm on a mission to make your daily coffee ritual better for you, your health, and our planet—while bringing you back to a more conscious way of living.

A Coffee Journey Born from Adversity

My path to creating Glaze began during one of the most challenging chapters of my life—battling Long Covid for over four years. What started as a personal health crisis evolved into a mission that has supported my ongoing recovery and sparked a vision for change.

Coffee: More Than Just a Drink

I've always believed that a thoughtfully crafted cup of coffee is one of life's simple yet profound pleasures. It's the companion that powers you through busy days, awakens your senses, and creates moments of presence in our increasingly disconnected world.

Like many, I often grabbed disposable cups on the go, unaware of their impact on the environment, my health, and the authentic coffee experience I cherished—a perfect example of the unconscious consumption that has become our norm.

When Everything Changed

In 2020, my world collapsed. Long Covid left me homebound and so weak I could barely walk for over three years. I went from being an energetic entrepreneur to someone whose life had suddenly stopped—while the rest of the world continued moving forward at its relentless, often mindless pace.

Finding Clarity in Stillness

On my better days, I'd visit my local café—my lifeline to the world beyond my illness. Forced to slow down, I began noticing what I'd overlooked before: not just the staggering number of disposable cups being used daily, but how disconnected we've become from the simple act of enjoying coffee.

I watched people grab their drinks without pause, faces buried in phones, missing the community around them. This unconscious living—this disconnect from ourselves, each other, and our planet— became impossible to ignore.

Curiosity drove me to research, and what I discovered was alarming: 7 million disposable cups are used in the UK every day, with less than 0.25% actually being recycled.

The Uncomfortable Truth

I learned that the plastic lining inside paper cups—necessary to hold liquid—makes them virtually unrecyclable. This plastic can leach into hot beverages, releasing thousands of microplastics into your body.

Even "compostable" alternatives often end up in landfills, sometimes releasing more harmful chemicals than standard paper cups.

The Path to Recovery and Purpose

After two years with little progress, my healing journey took a profound turn when I discovered the power of somatic work—connecting with my body rather than remaining trapped in my head. By processing repressed emotions and learning to regulate my nervous system, I began making significant progress.

This wasn't "woo-woo" self-help; it was evidence-based neurobiological work that required courage and commitment. By connecting with my body's wisdom and addressing underlying emotional patterns, I found tools that science is increasingly validating.

With support from loved ones and fellow chronic illness survivors, I continue this challenging journey of recovery—some days are still difficult, but I'm gradually rebuilding my capacity to engage with the world.

Finding Meaning in Limitation

I work on Glaze during the hours my health permits—a delicate balance that anyone with a chronic condition understands. Though I'm not fully recovered, this work has become an integral part of my healing journey, giving me purpose even on challenging days.

As my health improved, I realized my former career no longer aligned with my values. The present awareness and connection I found in cafés during my illness sparked the idea for Glaze—a mission deeper than just creating cups.

Conscious Creation: A Return to Simplicity

Glaze represents a return to a simpler, more conscious way of living. In a world where we're constantly plugged in but disconnected from what matters, the ritual of coffee offers a daily opportunity to pause, connect, and become present.

I researched materials during the hours my health permitted, seeking something that embodied this conscious approach. I'd never used a reusable cup consistently because I disliked drinking from plastic. While glass was an option, I preferred the feel of ceramic—a material humans have connected with for thousands of years.

Ceramic cups have endured for good reason:

• Made from natural earth materials, they're sustainable and durable

• Their porous nature keeps coffee hot longer

• Unlike plastic or metal, ceramic won't absorb or impart flavors

• Their tangible, grounding presence connects us to the moment

• The unlimited design possibilities mean you can have a cup that truly resonates with you

From Concept to Creation

After weeks of searching, we found a manufacturing partner committed to sustainable practices.

Our first samples arrived in July, complemented by silicon lids that transformed our vessels into travel cups.

The response from independent cafés has been phenomenal. Many share our vision for a more conscious coffee culture but feel powerless to change customer habits alone. Our early feedback from baristas and coffee lovers exceeded all expectations.

Crafted with Intention

Every Glaze cup is hand-finished and unique. Our cups feature:

• A thoughtfully rounded base for a gentle pour

• A perfectly designed lip for a smooth sip

• 5oz, 8oz and 12oz capacity options for all tea and coffee preferences

• A design that invites you to slow down and be present with each sip

A New Beginning

Working on Glaze continues to be integral to my ongoing recovery, giving me renewed purpose even as I navigate the limitations of my health.

I believe in our mission to create a more conscious, sustainable coffee culture. By choosing a Glaze cup, you're not just elevating your daily ritual—you're making a conscious choice to reconnect with yourself, your community, and our planet.

I hope your Glaze cup enhances your coffee experience while inspiring moments of presence and connection. Together, we can shift away from unconscious consumption toward a more mindful relationship with our daily rituals, our communities, and the earth that sustains us all.