It is our absolute pleasure to write a testimonial about our experience working with Chris Deferio and Keys to the Shop.

We had a bold idea: to open a large coffee café combined with a wellness studio — a true third space where people could enjoy exceptional coffee and prioritize self-care in one welcoming environment. The only problem? We had never done anything like this before.

We set out to learn everything we could and to find the right partners to guide us on this journey. We even traveled to other cities to meet with coffee specialists in search of the right fit. After extensive conversations and research, we found Chris.

Chris was incredibly responsive and had a call scheduled with us within hours. From the very first conversation, we both said, “That’s our guy.” Chris was calm, deeply knowledgeable, and genuinely empathetic to our mission. He immediately made us feel like he was fully invested in this adventure alongside us. His steady guidance and encouragement have consistently pushed us forward with confidence.

The value Chris brought to our project spans every phase of our timeline — from helping design the café layout, advising us on equipment selection, to building our operational structure, and ultimately training both of us and our team. His visit made a lasting impact. All 11 of our baristas are thriving in our very first month of being open, and our team still talks about how transformative his training was. We are excited to continue ongoing education and development with him in the months ahead.

Chris’s expertise extends far beyond coffee. His understanding of business strategy, team building, leadership, training, values, and mission alignment is truly exceptional.

If you are a café owner — or even thinking about opening one — hire Keys to the Shop immediately. We are incredibly grateful to have worked with Chris and look forward to partnering with him again soon.