233 : A Conversation w/ Anthony Ragler, Black and White

Chris DeferioPodcast, Uncategorized

Humility, serving wholesale clients, accessibility, and creating an inclusive community. These are some of the many topics discussed in this fantastic conversation with today’s guest, Anthony Ragler! Native of Brooklyn, NY, Anthony Ragler is a coffee professional who combines his craft with his culture and upbringing to cultivate unique and individual experiences for those he encounters. From working as a …

Tips on Job Descriptions

Chris DeferioPodcast

Writing a job description is the first step in getting the right people in the right positions in your shop. They seem pretty straight forward but there are some elements that you need to consider when creating these documents that, if applied, will…

232 : Founder Friday w/ Blew Kind of Fanny Lou’s Porch

Chris DeferioFounder Friday, Podcast

When is comes to community and serving the neighborhood well through the cafe, you’d be hard pressed to find a better example than Franny Lou’s Porch, in Philadelphia, PA. Blew Kind began her entrepreneurial journey in 2010 with Leotah’s Place in North Philly then, moving across the street and renaming it, she established Franny Lou’s Porch. All along the way …

Don’t fall into FOLO! (Fear of Limited Options)

Chris DeferioPodcast

You’ve heard of FOMO, but what about the insidious FOLO? This is the Fear of Limited Options and is a big mental hurdle that most coffee bars have to leap over. If you want to run a healthy business and not have your menu built on a very shaky…

230 : Making room for Community in your Shop

Chris DeferioPodcast, Uncategorized

This is going to be a deep dive into some foundational ideas related to your shop and the way it exists in your community. I wasn’t planning this episode but I really felt a gut-level urgency about the message. Thing is, if we want to build something that lasts and is resilient in the face of our resent and future …

Don’t Stress about Stress

Chris DeferioPodcast

There is an abundance of stress to go around right now. I’d say it is likely the most tense and uncertain time I have seen in coffee in my 20 years of working in retail. Stress leads to more stress and as someone who is prone to stress/panic attacks…

229 : 7 Tips for New Managers

Chris DeferioManagement, Podcast

Entering into a new role, or even just taking over a new cafe or team, is a daunting challenge. Many burn out and the experience leaves a bitter taste in their mouth and a lot of destruction in their wake. In the midst of the reshuffling during COVID there are a lot of opportunities to establish a new way of …

Work Alchemy

Chris DeferioPodcast

Not everything we do is fun. Actually, there are a lot of dirty, time-consuming, repetitive tasks that we have to do everyday on order for the cafe to function. Even though these tasks seem rather dull, we can transform them into something of…

228 : Cracking the Leadership Code w/ Alain Hunkins

Chris DeferioLeadership, Podcast

    Leadership is a HUGE topic and it is easy to get overwhelmed with the never-ending opinions and techniques that are available these days. It is cruel in a way because in a time where we need good leadership the most we want to find good resources but the choice of what voice to listen to is often paralyzing. …