I joined this group for access to other coffee shop professionals. I was looking to interact with people of different ages than me, and different motivations than me, and of course different points in their business journey from me.  All of that was delivered.

I would highlight 3 things I gained from this group personally.  First, a new desire to read. I’ve finished 5 books since September, not all of them were business or development themed, but that’s more than I’ve read in the past 5 years.  So let’s call this a desire to exercise my mind.  Second, I’ve learned to give myself credit for accomplishments and recognize my successes.  I left one of our sessions thinking I needed to incorporate one-on-ones with my staff, then realized I was already doing one-on-ones the whole time.  I knew a lot more about my individual staff members than I had given myself credit for.  Third, I have made “retiring from the bar” a priority.  I have come to accept that the role of barista should not be interfering with running and growing 2 coffee shops and 2 sets of staff members.  I can’t wear all of the hats any more.

Professionally, I found the motivation to revise a well-outdated employee handbook.  I evaluated some of my product offerings and procedures based upon how my group peers were doing things.  I’ve also made a lot of small-ware and equipment replacements because they affect my employee’s workflow and affect my customer’s experience.  The old stuff still worked, but investments were necessary.  I’ve begun scheduling my time better, to support my staff and to interact with guests, and to maintain my cafes.

I would recommend a KHCG because you have access to qualified opinions.  You have input to thought provoking topics that you may not come across or even consider in the microcosm of your coffee space.  You get support from people who are in the same field, making real business decisions just like me.  I also like the pace of the meetings.  The time commitment has been large, but spread out over an easily manageable schedule

When I first heard about the Key Holder Coaching Group, I was in a season of my business where I was craving support, accountability, and a like-minded community. I jumped on it immediately because it was exactly what I had been looking for—people who were in the trenches just like me, who understood the weight of leadership in a growing coffee business.

I’d never been in a mastermind group before, but this experience exceeded every expectation. Unlike traditional trainings where you’re reacting to someone else’s agenda, this group lets you bring your real issues to the table and get practical feedback from others who’ve lived it. It’s like having five other business minds thinking alongside me. That’s powerful.

Over time, I’ve seen real change. Decisions I kept putting off finally got made because I had space to process them with the group. And while my team might not know the details of what happens in these meetings, they’ve felt the effects. I’ve become a better, healthier leader, and that’s showing up in how I lead, how I solve problems, and how I show up for my business.

I recommend this group to any owner or manager who wants to grow—not just the business, but themselves. We invest so much in our shops, our gear, our teams… but this is an investment in the brain and heart behind all of it. When the leader gets better, everything else follows.

My name is Susanna Winters and I am the owner and co -founder of Hilton Head Island Coffee Roasters. We’re based out of Hilton Head, South Carolina. I’ve been part of Chris’s key holder coaching group for I guess about five months now. And prior to that, I have participated in a few different business groups and business mentorship programs. And this coaching group has by far been the best and provided some of most value that we’ve received honestly in the two and a half years that we’ve been in business. And I think it’s a combination of being paired with other business owners who are all at different places in their business. It really helps us take this big picture approach as well as get that really nitty gritty feedback, not only of what we need right now, but also what we might need a year from now.

And the group that I was part of, it was honestly just so much fun and so much fun getting to know this group. Everyone provided so much value and they were honest and they were vulnerable and they were so transparent with their businesses and everyone really took that extra step to support each other, which is one of the reasons why I’m signing up to do it for another six months. But I absolutely recommend this coaching group. I think it’s one the best things out there for new coffee shops, old coffee shops, anyone looking to elevate their business to the next level.

I made the decision to become a part of the Key Holder Coaching Group (KHCG) primarily to establish connections with other professionals who are actively engaged in the coffee business. I have found that through coaching I have been able to improve my productivity, streamline my operations and have a healthier life/work balance. The idea of this type of support happening with fellow coffee industry business owners, facilitated by THE Chris Deferio, in the KHCG was a very exciting opportunity to me.

The most beneficial aspect of the KHCG has been getting the opportunity to explore topics from multiple perspectives. I have found that even If I am not in the “Hot Seat” I am gaining valuable information that is relative to my business in some way. KHCG has proven to be a safe space for me to be vulnerable, increase my self-worth and positively adjust my mindset to get the most out of the experience.

As business owners, we are, without a doubt, our most valuable asset. Investing in ourselves, stepping outside of our patterns and opening up to fellow business professionals within our field will absolutely bring fresh perspectives to solve problems and reminders to celebrate wins. You do not have to do it all or do it all alone, KHCG will be a valuable ally on your journey to success.