[ep 101: Jess Reno on leaps of entrepreneurial faith, creating safe spaces & the beauty in hard things]

[ep 101: Jess Reno on leaps of entrepreneurial faith, creating safe spaces & the beauty in hard things]

Author: with May Globus June 11, 2025 Duration: 1:05:53
The Craft with May Globus
BusinessArtsEntrepreneurship

There is great depth to Jess Reno, who has a soul and heart that are as deep as they are wide. He’s the founder and CEO of Nemesis Coffee and Dope Bakehouse — but these titles alone don’t come close to telling his story.

He grew up in Scarborough, Ontario, in a neighborhood that demanded toughness, in a family shaped by poverty, hardship, and resilience. It made him grow up, fast. After his dad made the radical decision to get straight in his life, he applied to Emily Carr. That choice would change the entire trajectory of their lives, eventually bringing them to Vancouver — where Jess eventually got a job at Caffe Artigiano and, unknowingly, setting himself on the path to becoming one of the most intentional and creative hospitality founders in the city.

In this episode, Jess shares parts of his story he’s never spoken about publicly — coffee as comfort & solace from a young age; what it meant to grow up quickly; navigating generational trauma; healing a long-time chip in the shoulder; running his first coffee shop with family; taking the risks that eventually allowed him to build something of his own. We talk about entrepreneurship, identity, family, leadership, heart and the quiet responsibility of creating spaces where people and patrons feel safe and seen.


[TIMESTAMPS]

7:44 - Growing up

30:39 - Who he thought he was becoming 

34:12 - What about coffee provided solace for him

37:08 - What was the turning point for his leap of faith

41:03 - Things he unlearned after his travels

43:31 - The meaning of their logos 

01:00:50 - If Nemesis were to vanish tomorrow, what would he hope that people will remember about how it made then feel

01:02:03 - His relationship with the chip on his shoulder now

01:03:31 - Final question 

01:04:36 - Where to find him and Nemesis

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There’s a particular texture to a life built around creating something meaningful, whether that’s a business, a work of art, or a new path forward. The Craft with May Globus pulls back the curtain on those lives through unhurried, intimate dialogues. May sits down with a diverse range of creators, founders, and pioneers, but the focus here is less on glossy success stories and more on the raw material of their journeys. You’ll hear the nuances of their creative process, the pivotal moments in their personal backstory, and how their philosophy shapes their daily existence. It’s an ongoing exploration of the shared humanity behind different kinds of work. What makes this podcast uniquely immersive is its commitment to being an audio-visual experience. Each conversation is accompanied by rich, editorial-style photography that provides a deeper, more sensory connection to the guest and their world. Think of it like a beautifully composed magazine feature that you can listen to, where the images and the dialogue work in concert. Tuning into this podcast feels like gaining quiet, privileged access to the minds of people who are thoughtfully shaping culture, one idea at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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