Phillip Di Bella

Phillip Di Bella's Biography

His love affair
with coffee and natural people skills have revolutionised the coffee industry.
His name is Phillip Di Bella, and he’s the face behind the ever growing, always
changing Di Bella Coffee.

Phillip’s lifelong
passion for coffee began when he was a small boy in his family’s Brisbane home.
A budding barista from a young age, his skills led to a career at Brisbane’s
landmark Cosmopolitan Café. He backed his flair for business with a Bachelor of
Commerce degree at Griffith University to ensure the best was still to come for
this promising entrepreneur.

In 2002, Phillip
launched Di Bella Coffee. A keen observer of people, Phillip was dissatisfied
with the level of customer service in the industry and was convinced he had
something better to offer. He leased a roaster to craft the first of his
exceptional signature blends that have become integral to the global brand Di
Bella Coffee is today. He worked hard to promote and share his innovation and
vision, initially going door to door to attract clients.. His passion and
dedication saw him set up his HQ in Bowen Hills – a new landmark for coffee
lovers and a key player in the supply of wholesale coffee to cafes.

Since establishing
Di Bella Coffee, Phillip and the company have been recognised by an array of
prestigious awards. His success has earned him a place in BRW’s Young Rich List
for four years running, and his entrepreneurship has been celebrated on several
occasions. He’s an active member of the community and is fiercely proud of his
Brisbane hometown. His community spirit was recognised in 2009 and again in
2014 when he received the Lord Mayor’s Corporate Citizenship award. In 2010,
Phillip Di Bella also became the world’s youngest recipient of an Italian
knighthood, bestowed with the ‘Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity’ for his
contributions to the Italian community.  

In March 2011,
Phillip was appointed Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship in the Department
of International Business and Asian Studies at Griffith University. He is
recognised as one of the University’s outstanding alumnus as a result of his
success in the industry and his ongoing contribution to the profession and the
community. Phillip Di Bella is Chair of the Brisbane CBD Economic Development
Board, a fellow of the Australian Institute of Management, Director of Brisbane
Marketing, Vice President of the Italian Chamber of Commerce, Member of the
Young Presidents Organisation and Member of the Australian Institute of Company
Directors.

Brand strategist,
Allan Bonsall’s book, Entrepreneurial
Intelligence, was inspired by the philosophies of Phillip Di
Bella and provides a valuable insight into the formula that drove Phillip’s
success; the same formula we believe that can drive the success of every great
entrepreneur.

Between
maintaining a presence at Di Bella Coffee’s roasting warehouse and visiting
wholesale clients around Australia, Phillip focuses his time on guiding and
mentoring staff, undertaking speaking engagements and exploring new and
exciting entrepreneurial opportunities. Phillip Di Bella’s success story is fueled
by passion, commitment and innovation. These strengths continue to earn him
recognition and respect amongst both his employees and his peers and will
ensure much of his story is yet to written. 

Speaking Topics Include

Entrepreneurial intelligence
Creating Brand Value