Coffee is all about human connection. That we get to create both the beverage and the experience people have when enjoying it is at once a great responsibility, a joy, and an opportunity to change lives through our hospitality in each interaction. In our daily pursuit of providing this special moment we must start with a dedication to our craft …
429 : Believing You CAN Run a Great Shop w/ Michael Ryan of Threadbare Coffee Consulting
In the face of necessary reality checks and the inherent ups and downs of starting and running a coffee shop, there must always exist the foundational idea that “You can do this” and “It is possible”. That belief in possibility is what drives today’s guest whoI am honored to call a good friend, Michael Ryan of Threadbare Coffee Consulting. Michael …
428 : Founder Friday | Maxwell Mooney’s Final Chapter at Narrative Coffee and New Beginnings
Early on in the podcast (2019) I had Maxwell on to tell the story of Narrative and then 3 more times since then to discuss deeper topics related to running a great shop, dealing with challenges, and tools to success. I have known him for over a decade and believe he channels the kind of character and values the entire …
424: Developing Menu and Hospitality Guides
When it comes to our training and resourcing of staff we often have a desire for people to “get it” and to be detail oriented, but fail to give them much to “get” or to orient them to the details. This results in inconsistency and frustration in both customers and staff as baristas fill in the blanks that management should …
422: Coffee Truck Success w/ Vincent LaVolpa of Green Joe Coffee School
One of the best options for getting started in coffee without as much risk is a coffee truck. Especially emphasized post-pandemic, mobile concepts like coffee trucks have grow exponentially and with it the need for reliable information on how to become successful in that context. Today we will be talking with one the go-to coffee truck authorities, Vincent LaVolpa of …
420: Design Meaningful Roles in the Cafe
You see it all the time, a barista is promoted to a role such as trainer, manager, cafe lead etc, but they quickly find that there is very little preparation that has gone into this role. They are either simply not doing much, but now they have a title, or they are doing far too much in an effort …
416 : People-First Principles for Growing Your Shop w/ Mike McFall of Biggby Coffee
Growing you coffee shop is about more than just adding locations. Growth has to do with developing internal resilience, culture, and practices that are life giving to those who work in the business and to you as the owner. Ultimately the path for sustainable growth is a people-first path and today we are talking with someone who has a lot …
414: Secret Ingredients for a Successful Coffee Shop
The barrier of entry for getting a coffee shop open is lower than ever. Many have the idea that if they can get the shop open, then they have succeeded. But the test is not only about whether you can open a shop, or even if you can keep it open, but how do you make something that is …
408: Coffee Tools, Music, and Serving the Community w/ Anita Tam of Slow Pour Supply Co.
The world of coffee is saturated with suppliers of tools and equipment. Most are seeking the transaction and chasing the opportunity the current market has afforded them. Precious few suppliers are truly passionate about their customers in a meaningful way that results in the love and respect of the barista community. Slow Pour Supply is one such company, because Anita …
401 : Founder Friday! w/ Jack Benchakul of Endorffiene in Los Angeles
Creating a moment of delight and excellence is what we all want to do when we set up our shops and make coffee for others. We also want to be delighted ourselves with the things we create and feel a sense of pride in each and every drink. Given the range of beverages we serve, that is pretty rare to …