IWD ADELE: THE COMMON ROOM
This International Women's Day, Paradox Coffee Roasters is celebrating the incredible women we are proud to partner with across our coffee community, from café owners and operators to the dedicated women serving their communities through The Salvation Army.
At Paradox, coffee has always been about people, and today we’re shining a light on the women who lead, inspire, and power many of the spaces where our coffee is shared. They are the leaders, creators, and community builders who bring coffee culture to life every day, and we are incredibly proud to work alongside you. You are truly special to our community.
Adele Lattimore is the co-owner of The Common Room Espresso Bar, a beloved café in Australia, which she runs alongside her husband, Dylan. A mother of two with a love of coffee and hospitality, Adele has built a space that combines community, connection, and incredible coffee experiences. Through The Common Room, she has created a welcoming environment supported by a dedicated team and a loyal community of customers.
Get to know Adele a little more below in our chat.
Can you introduce yourself and tell us where you work?
My name is Adele Lattimore. I’m a 28 year old mother of two and I own The Common Room Espresso Bar with my husband, Dylan.
What inspired you to start working in coffee or hospitality?
I have always loved coffee and my husband Dylan is a qualified chef who has worked in hospitality most of his life. Before we moved to Australia from New Zealand I was actually at university studying engineering. When it became clear that engineering wasn’t for me, we moved to Australia and I started working in a restaurant while I figured out what I wanted to do. I immediately loved hospitality, and when Dylan and I started working together at the same café, me as the barista and him as the chef, we knew that’s what we were meant to do.
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
International Women’s Day means celebrating all the different roles that women play in our lives and the impact they have socially, culturally, and economically in today’s world. We all have influential women around us who we admire and who deserve to be recognised.
Who has inspired or supported you most in your life or career?
My biggest supporter has always been my husband, Dylan. He has always pushed me to do the things he knows I’m capable of and believed in me when my confidence has faltered. Since having our two babies I have stepped back a lot from running The Common Room and Dylan has taken on the full load of responsibilities, allowing me to be the present mum that I need to be while our babies are so little.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I enjoy the flexibility that being a café owner has allowed me, especially in recent years. My role in the business has adapted and changed with me as my life has changed, and I am so grateful for that.
What’s something you’ve learned along your journey so far?
I have learned that asking for help when you need it is essential to running a business. When you have put your heart and soul into something and care so much about it, it can be hard to let go and allow people to take some of the load. Doing everything yourself is impossible. Once you start asking for help and delegating tasks, you start building trust with your staff. It not only eases your workload but also makes your team stronger.
What’s a moment in your career that made you feel proud?
The love and support we received when we celebrated our first year of The Common Room made me feel so proud of myself, my husband, and our amazing team. We had such a huge year full of learning curves and growth, and hearing all the kind words from our community made it all worth it. We truly have the best customers who have become like family over the years.
What advice would you give to other women starting out in the industry?
It sounds very cliché, but enjoy what you do. Through all the ups and downs of running a business, it’s our passion for amazing food and coffee that drives us. Keep being yourself, keep working hard, and remember why you do what you do.
