Great coffee should be for everyone! For the consumer today though, specialty coffee can be complicated. But it does not have to be! Today we talk with industry legend Tony (Tonx) Konecny, Founder of Tonx Coffee, and Co-founder of Yes Plz (the people behind the $1 cup of coffee at Locol) all about his mission to remedy this issue. In addition to discussing Yes Plz and some of Tony’s professional history that informs the companies philosophy we will talk about: challenging orthodoxy, intentional blending, pricing for accessibility, coffee subscriptions, on-boarding customers, the industries echo chamber and much more. Tony has a lot to say that I think will help shape our approach to customers in the shop and really make an impact on how “into” coffee they get.
088 : 2018 U.S. Barista Champion, Cole McBride
Today we talk with the new U.S. Barista Champion, Cole McBride! Cole has always given 110% effort to improving both his own craft and being an advocate for specialty coffee and those around him. In his 15 years of professional coffee work he has gleaned an impressive amount of wisdom, skill, and perspective that is clearly on display both on …
087 : Coffee Masters Champion, Agneiszka Rojewska
Today we talk with Coffee Masters Champion, Agnieszka Rojewska! She is the multi-time Polish Barista champion, Latte Art champion, and now Coffee Masters champion, a trainer, consultant, and all around inspiration! In this conversation we chat about her packed completion schedule, pushing yourself outside your comfort zone, her experience as a cafe owner and manager folding in lessons from competition …
085 : How we Ruin the Specialty Experience
It is often the little things that we allow or that escape our attention that will ruin the specialty experience for our customers in our shops. Today we discuss ways that we create unnecessary roadblocks to customers having a truly great experience in the cafe and what to do about it. We give you a framework to use in rooting …
084 : Crushing the Rush : Tips and Best Practices for Busy Times
“We got slammed!”, “Today was intense!”, “It was crazy!” …If you have ever said this then today’s episode is for you. In the cafe we all experience rushes differently based on how well prepared we are. A sudden pop of business or sustained time of having a line out the door can be either the time to shine or to …
082 : Knowledge and Flavor w/ Cosimo Libardo
Is specialty coffee scaleable? How do we think and act in order for our businesses to succeed long term? What role does delivery of flavor, knowledge, and consistency play in giving your company the depth and soul needed to truly execute on a high level of quality over the long haul? Great questions that we get answers to and …
081 : Founder Friday w/ David Schomer of Espresso Vivace
It’s Founder Friday!!! I am honored to have David Schomer of Espresso Vivace join us on the show as his company celebrates it’s 30th year. Since it’s founding in 1988 Espresso Vivace has been home to David’s groundbreaking and paradigm shifting experiments with espresso coffee and drink presentation. His work has been foundational and formative in the lives of countless …
078 : Exploring Green Buying and Sensory Analysis w/ Amanda Juris
Tasting coffee gives us a window into where the coffee came from and what it’s potential can be. Those who work in green buying and sensory analysis are tasked with tasting the truth of a coffee and deciding how it will turn up on retail shelves the world over. Today we are talking with 2014 World Cup Tasters Champion, …
076 : Talking Tech! w/ Tom Ritz of Workhorse Customs : Best Practices for Machine Maintenance
Clean and well functioning equipment is definitely one of the keys to the shop! Problem is that we tend to lose those keys and end up with problems that could have been prevented with some basic attention to regular maintenance. To talk with us about best practices and key areas to invest time, attention, and resource into we …
073 : How to be Awesome at Your Job w/ Pete Mockaitis
Do you want to be awesome at your job? Of course! We all do. Today we will be discussing the foundational principles and focuses that will get you there and grow you even further if you’re there already. I am thrilled to welcome to the show, the host of the Awesome at Your Job Podcast, Pete Mockaitis. Pete is an incredibly …
