COVID-19 Focus : Erica Escalante, The Arrow | Acting Quickly, Leading Well, and Fighting for Connection

Chris DeferioBusiness, Podcast

Erica Escalante is no stranger to overcoming challenges. You might say that her experience in starting and running The Arrow in Portland, OR has prepared her to shine as a leader during this crisis. Today Erica recounts how she prepared herself, her staff, and her business to respond to the COVID-19 crisis and offers an insightful, vulnerable, and passionate look …

COVID-19 Focus : General Guidance on Talking to your Bank and Landlord w/ Marshall Fuss, Attorney at Law

Chris DeferioBusiness, Podcast

Today we are talking with past guest Marshall Fuss Attorney at Law. Marshall is attorney and general counsel to the Specialty Coffee Association, World Coffee Events, and Coffee Quality Institute and was a guest on episode 101 of KTTS “Avoiding Legal Pitfalls” Today he joins me to offer some guidance to shop owners on how to actions to take in …

208: Building a Company that Cares w/ Kyra Kennedy of Baratza

Chris DeferioLeadership, Podcast

One of the most unique things about Baratza, a legendary 20 year old home grinder company, is that people are not just loyal to them, but that those same people go out of their way to advocate for and recommend the brand to anyone who will listen. That does not happen by accident, it is cultivated and grown over time …

On a Resilient Coffee Community

Chris DeferioBusiness, Podcast

These are hard times. It is difficult to know where to begin in discussing the COVID-19 crisis and its impact on our industry. I have, like many of you, spent countless hours trying to process this and attempting to help in any way possible. There have been tears and anxiety to be sure. There has also been many bright spots …

It’s not You, It’s Me

Chris DeferioPodcast

Managing poor performance is one of the more frustrating parts of being a leader in the coffee shop. While in NYC for Coffee Fest I receive this great question, “What do you do if your manager or barista is not fulfilling the requirements of their…

Fear and Trust

Chris DeferioPodcast

Our default in management can often be to live in the extremes. Either we are suspecting everyone and everything as a potential problem or we are way too trusting and offer no structure in order to avoid conflict. Both scare away your staff and make…

205 : Inside Caffe Florian, the World’s Oldest Coffee Shop ! | Venice, Italy

Chris DeferioCareer, Hospitality, Podcast

300 Years! That is how long Caffe Florian in Venice, Italy has been in continuous operation serving Venice and the world. In those years Cafe Florian has served as the cultural hub for millions of Venicians and travelers privileged to experience its art, events, unique service of food, coffee, drinks, and chocolate. Today it is all carried out in the …