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August 6, 2025 70 mins

When I first saw the product from NoNormal, I was intrigued. A coffee paste… in a tube? I’d never seen anything like it. But as someone who loves coffee and spends a lot of time outdoors, I instantly got the appeal. 


In this episode, I chat with Alexander Haberlin, co-founder of NoNormal, about how a backcountry hike in Switzerland sparked a completely new way to experience coffee and how it evolved from a spray-painted tomato paste tube to a beautiful, functional, adventure-ready product.


We go deep into the product story, the entrepreneurial journey, and the intentional choices behind flavor, packaging, and mission.

 

As I sipped the coffee while we talked, I was blown away. Not only is it incredibly convenient, but it also tastes great. You can drink it hot, cold, or even spread it on toast. What started as a creative solution for outdoor coffee drinkers has evolved into a ritual and is now a growing brand with a passionate community.


Here are a few key takeaways from our conversation:


* NoNormal’s coffee paste is a first-of-its-kind, shelf-stable product made with Fairtrade Arabica beans and housed in recyclable aluminum tubes—born from a love of hiking and a need for better trail coffee.

 

* Alexander and his co-founder hand-filled the first prototypes in their Swiss kitchen, validating the idea via crowdfunding before going all-in on manufacturing.

 

* The product found early success through a mix of “chaos packaging” buzz and genuine functionality for outdoor adventurers—and even jungle explorers!

 

* Their biggest lesson: validate early, prototype fast, and don’t be afraid to mix form and function with love and obsession over the details.

 

* Whether it’s stirred in hot water, blended into peanut butter, or licked off a spoon during a jungle trek, NoNormal coffee is all about that magic moment of pause and pleasure in the outdoors.

 

Join me, Ramon Vela, as we listen to the episode and discover how a bold, unusual idea can become a beautiful, purposeful product. This isn’t just a coffee story; it’s a story of creativity, intention, and building something remarkable from the ground up.


For more on NoNormal visit: https://nonormal.com/


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Today’s Sponsors:


Workspace6 - Private Community for 7, 8, 9-figure Brands: https://www.workspace6.io/


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REViVE Amazon Marketing Partners helps better-for-you CPG brands win on Amazon with niche expertise, founder-led strategy, and a true partnership model. Built by a CPG founder with a successful exit, REViVE only works with brands they believe in. Are you curious if Amazon is right for you? Book a Free Deep Dive Strategy Session today.

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