Local Legends of the Sunshine Coast: Aaron Bradley, making waves with conscious caffeine
- factokobi
- Sep 10
- 3 min read
In a region overflowing with natural beauty, epic surf, and laid-back energy, it takes a certain kind of person to stand out. But Aaron Bradley has done just that. He’s quietly built something meaningful: community-focused, sustainability-driven coffee businesses that pour passion into every cup.
Born and bred on the Sunshine Coast, Aaron is the founder of Compound Surf & Drink Coffee and co-founder of Slide Coffee Roasters — and one of the Sunshine Coast’s most respected local legends.
From Ninderry to National Recognition
Aaron’s story starts right here. Raised in the hills of Ninderry, Coolum was his playground — the place he surfed, skated, hung with mates, and formed a deep connection to community and coast. So, when the dream of opening a Coolum café took root, there was only one place it could grow.
In 2014, that dream became Compound Surf & Drink Coffee, an iconic hub nestled in the heart of Coolum.
“We walked past the space and saw the landlord cleaning it out. Something clicked. It just felt right,” Aaron recalls. “We bootstrapped the whole thing. Our mates helped, we ran a Kickstarter, and slowly built a community around it.”
Since then, Compound has become more than just a Sunshine Coast café. It's a surf shop, a local hangout, a creative hub — and, most importantly, a symbol of what can happen when passion and purpose meet.
The Birth of Slide Coffee Roasters
Never one to sit still, Aaron’s journey into coffee went deeper. While still managing Compound, he began working at a coffee roastery, where he started asking bigger questions about how the coffee supply chain impacts farmers. That curiosity sparked the creation of Slide Coffee Roasters — a brand with a mission to serve exceptional coffee that respects the hands that grew it.
“The more I learned about the global coffee supply chain, the more I realised how much power we have as consumers. It’s not just about coffee — it’s about impact,” Aaron says.
Now with Slide Coffee Roasters locations in Coolum and Caloundra, the brand is gaining a strong reputation — not just for its flavour-packed brews, but for the meaningful message behind every cup.
Building Conscious Consumerism on the Sunshine Coast
For Aaron, business isn’t just about profits — it’s about purpose. Whether it’s influencing better coffee consumption habits, creating jobs with purpose, or building spaces where people feel connected, everything he does is rooted in conscious decision-making.
“I’m very passionate about coffee consumers understanding their impact based on how they vote with their dollar,” he says. “That’s what gets me up in the morning. I want to continue growing our business so we can scale our impact.”
Of course, conscious business comes with challenges — especially in a world where convenience often outweighs ethics.
“It’s tough when people choose something average or unethical because they don’t know any better,” Aaron admits. “But that’s why storytelling matters. When people understand what we stand for, they get it — and they support it.”
What’s Next for Coolum’s Conscious Coffee King?
As if he’s not busy enough, Aaron recently announced that Slide Coolum is now open Saturdays, and there is a new upcoming podcast in the wings! (Yes — you heard it here first.)
“It’s going to be me and some other legends talking about all sorts of things — culture, business, surf, coffee — stuff that inspires us. It’ll be launching later this year.”
From slinging lattes in a surf town to roasting ethically sourced beans with global impact, Aaron Bradley is a shining example of what it means to live the dream — not just for yourself, but for your team, your community, and the planet.
And that’s why he’s a Swell Places Local Legend.
Find Aaron’s work at:
(Soon) In your headphones.