Name: David Stirling
Where are you from originally: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Tell us about your favourite place in Siem Reap: That is a hard question to answer at the moment, there are so many AMAZING places about! My top two would be Miss Wong Cocktail Bar and Treeline Hotel, Hok Noodle Bar.
When did you launch The Little Red Fox Espresso: In late 2014 my business' partner, Adam Rodwell and I, opened the cafe after visiting Cambodia and Siem Reap for previous years earlier. We instantly fell in love with Cambodia and knew we wanted to call this place home.
What’s the story or inspiration behind your brand: The Little Fox Espresso is a mash-up of the Brisbane, Australia cafe scene and everything we love about Cambodia. After visiting Cambodia multiple times, a friend of ours suggested that we combine our skills and knowledge in hospitality/business and open a cafe in Siem Reap, with a strong focus on locals who have a passion for hospitality; especially cafe culture. This is truly how the cafe was born and became it's own. There is a saying that 'If you become a teacher, by your pupils you are taught' and upon reflection, this couldn't be more true for the cafe's journey. The cafe is a dream child of Adam and I, as well as our entire team. Their input and opinion matter greatly to us. Sharing and training our knowledge of sustainability and ethical business practices from the west and blending them into the culture of the east, has been the most incredible learning journey for us. Yes, we definitely could tell you that we are all about the coffee and antipodean foods, but I think you guys know that by now. This is really what we are about.
Where does the name come from: Not many people know this but I used to have dreadlocks that were died a vibrant red and when tied back they looked like a foxtail, which is where I got my nickname Fox. Originally the cafe was going to be called 'The Fox' but when a friend of mine (an animator for Disney) offered to design our logo he sent back the first draft of a cute and colourful cartoon fox in a circle surround by 'The Little Red Fox Espresso' and we instantly know it was perfect. It's what you see today!
What’s the plan for the next year for The Little Red Fox - any new coffee products: ABSOLUTELY! I'm currently looking into some new exciting ways of incorporating our coffee into more beauty products. Honestly, this passion was so completely unexpected but it turns out to be heaps of fun!
Name one thing you cannot find in Cambodia and that you miss: Oh that's my dirty little secret… I am a total sucker for this brand of chips called TWISTIES. You can't get the cheese brand here and it's AMAZING. Maybe it's for the best because I can finish the bag in one sitting.
If you could have any product from the SATU collection (other than your own), what would it be: Anything from Manava, their decor baskets are to die for and when Yekowave release a men's collection I will be all over that too!
What was the last gift you gave someone: I gifted someone pressed wildflowers I found in Angkor Wat.
After answering these questions, you walk outside and find $1,000 on your doorstep. What would you spend it on: That's easy... I would close the cafe for a week and take the team on a holiday instantly to thank them for all their hard work and dedication they put in and throughout 2020!
Shop the Khmer Coffee Scrub here.
