Chris Townsley & Jess Cozens
Brewing a New Beginning
We are always curious about the journey that leads someone to own a cafe. For Chris, that journey was driven by a deep commitment to his family and a genuine love for customer service.
Born in Palmerston North, Chris moved with his family to Wellington when his mother became the head matron of Accident and Emergency at Hutt Hospital. His father, a traveling salesman, later established his own period furniture business. An academically good student, Chris initially aspired to become a veterinarian, a passion sparked by childhood visits to his godmother’s pig farm during the holidays. However, after careful consideration, he realised that pursuing veterinary medicine would be a challenging path. Like many young people needing financial independence, he took a job at the National Bank and later worked at the Dairy Board, where he recalls his time fondly.
At 21, eager for adventure, Chris set off for the UK. However, what was meant to be a brief stopover in Sydney turned into a seven-year chapter of his life. During that time, he worked in various sales and marketing roles, one of which took him to Bologna, Italy, for a year before returning to Sydney. Still determined to reach the UK, he decided to throw caution to the wind and finally made the move to London.
That decision marked the beginning of many years of international travel. Over the next 22 years in London, he built a successful career and a life with his two children, Harry and Izzy. His journey eventually led him to Munich, Germany.
After seven years in Germany, however, circumstances changed. His father’s health began to decline, and with a global downturn in the tech sector, Chris knew it was time to return home. Chris set off with a clear plan: buy a business, secure a job, and lay the groundwork for their new life, ready for his wife and young daughter to join him from Munich. Arriving in Christchurch in October 2024, he stayed with family while methodically building his new life. True to his nature, he moved quickly. By November, he had already put in an offer to buy a cafe—Everyday Dose.
When asked why he chose a cafe, Chris explained that he wanted to bring his niece, Jess, on board as both a barista and a shareholder. Jess had always dreamed of owning her own cafe, and Chris saw this as the perfect opportunity to make that dream a reality. He admitted that he wouldn’t have gone through with the purchase if she hadn’t wanted to be involved.
Jess, a hard worker from a young age, started her working life at just 13. She later moved to Wellington, where she started her degree in Graphic Design. Upon returning to Christchurch, she finished her degree but found securing work in her field challenging. Like many young professionals, she needed to earn a living, so she turned to hospitality, working at well-regarded cafes such as Black & White Coffee Cartel, Therapy, and Park Ranger. Over ten years, she refined her barista skills, preparing her for this new chapter with Chris.
Listening to them, it’s clear that Chris and Jess share a deep passion for customer service. While Chris has never worked in hospitality, his entire career has been centered around delivering excellent service.
In late January, they officially took over the business, starting their journey as new owners on February 3rd. Though eager to put their own stamp on Everyday Dose, they decided not to change the coffee or the business name, at least, not right away. Chris explained that while they continue trading as Everyday Dose, the business is actually called Cafe Blümchen, meaning "Little Flower"— a name chosen by his nine-year-old daughter, Elise. A full rebrand is on the horizon, but for now, they want to ease customers into the transition without overwhelming them with too much change too soon.
The cafe has undoubtedly taken on a fresh new vibe, and customers have noticed the positive changes.
As part of his journey to build a new life in Christchurch, Chris also secured a role as General Manager - Sales of Wolfbrook Property Group, successfully achieving all the goals he set for himself upon returning home.
It’s always inspiring to see people come back, invest in their community, and create something meaningful for the future.
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