When you think about quality coffee and what it takes to help usher in change in both how it is rendered and then how it is perceived globally, you would likely be overwhelmed with the notion. It is a lifelong vocation that requires not only personal…
Last year we did many interviews live at Coffee Fest. I got to chat with Ian WIlliams of the famed sneaker/coffee concept Deadstock Coffee in Portland Oregon while on the show floor. In this brief conversation Ian shared some very helpful…
It is very difficult to take criticism. Especially when you may be fully aware of the imperfections of those offering the feedback on your performance. Trust me, I have lived the rage of those moments in full, and have come to see how many…
Special announcement! Applications are still open for the next round of Key Holder Coaching Groups! The Key Holder Coaching Group is a select group of coffee shop owners who love coffee, people, and want to see their business and others…
People don’t leave jobs, they leave managers. This is an old but still true saying that, for me, underscores the importance of selecting the right person to take on a management role in the cafe. A bad manager makes the work miserable, and a good…
When some people see a need or an opportunity, they dream about who will meet it or make it happen. Others, like today’s guest on Founder Friday, task it upon themselves to take action and create the reality they want to see for the benefit of others. Kymme is owner of Bushwick Grind, a speciality coffee shop and cafe, established …
There is nothing as frustrating as working on and getting served from a busy bar that was not designed appropriately. From size, placement, equipment selection, and more, there are many areas to consider when designing a space that runs well….
Looking back is not only a great way to take stock of how you have developed professionally and as a person, but also to bring back into focus what we have to be thankful for. A couple years back my wife convinced me to let her interview me about my…
It’s the age old question, “Should we be able to use our phones behind the bar?”. Simple right? Well, yes in some ways but the way we approach answering this question has downstream impact on the overall experience both our staff and guests have in…
John Luke Roberston is the founder and roaster at Kings Lane Coffee in West Monroe, LA. You may be familiar with the TV show Duck Dynasty that follows the lives of John Luke’s family and their duck call business, Duck Commander. As John Luke grew and…
