Keys To The Shop : Equipping Coffee Shop Leaders

Marketing is designed to get you to buy. It is something we all do in our businesses. In fact, to not market is to do the customer a disservice in that they will not be aware of the possibilities your product may have for their business. That said, sometimes marketing goes too far and without a well exercised discernment muscle we can fall prey to claims that do not, or can not, come to fruition.  Today on Shift break we will be breaking down the landscape of marketing promises and why it is critical for you to take it all with a gain of salt in order to make the right decision for your cafe and your people.  Related episodes:  321 : Marketing and Moral Injury w/ Josh Tarlo of Kiss the Hippo 215 : Communication and Marketing Master Class w/ Spencer M. Ross, PH.D. 184 : Making Great Business Decisions w/ Dave Stachowiak 485: Your Shop vs The Industry - How to Free Yourself From Dependency If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email chris@keystothshop.com of book a free call now:  https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min Key Holder Coaching Group Applications are Open! APPLY TODAY!   If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email chris@keystothshop.com of book a free call now:  https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min    Thank you to out sponsors! Everything you need for back of the house operations https://rattleware.qualitybystainless.com/   The best and most revered espresso machines on the planet: www.lamarzoccousa.com      

To me, there is something special about the closing shift. Yes there is a lot of work, but there is an honor in tending to the place that just that day made such impact on so many. For most though (including me) the closing shift is at first just hard work that feels far from the world of coffee that drew us to work in the shop or open the shop in the first place. But in this mundanity is an opportunity.  Today we are going to be sharing a classic episode where we talk about how to not only love the closing shift but how to shift the way you think about the difficult, thankless, and common work that undergirds the whole of the cafe.  Related episodes: Things the Owner Can't do for You Using Slow Times Well as a Barista Hard Work is Hard SHIFT BREAK: Focusing on the Whole, Not the Part Work Alchemy Key Holder Coaching Group Applications are Open! APPLY TODAY!   Get the best brewer and tool for batch espresso, iced lattes, and 8 minute cold brew! www.groundcontrol.coffee   The world loves plant based beverages and baristas love the Barista Series! www.pacificfoodservice.com  

There are many great coffee shops and roasters in this world. What makes a great cafe in my mind is intentionality, a focus on kindness, consistency, hospitality, and quality as a pursuit in service of those things. Living in Louisville, KY I am fortunate to be only 2 hours away from one of my favorite places that I feel has consistently exemplified those virtues. Crema Coffee Roasters! Today on Founder Friday we get the pleasure of talking with the co-founder of Crema Coffee Roasters, Rachel Lehman.  In 2008, Rachel Lehman, a coffee professional with over a decade of experience in barista and management work, along with her husband Ben, founded Crema Coffee. The beginnings of Crema was born from their shared midwestern work ethic and determination to carve out and cultivate something that would endure and have a lasting positive impact. From their first small cafe - to taking on roast - to now having 3 cafes,  a thriving wholesale program, and many national and local awards to their name, the dream has been to create a business that provided hospitality and great coffee for their community and learning opportunities for baristas and staff. Crema has grown to not only fulfill those dreams multiple times over, but has also made a large impact on the greater industry with the example it sets as a zero-waste cafe and a roastery that exemplifies intentionality and consistent holistic focus on relationships.  In this conversation we explore the early years and the start of Crema and learn about how this business has scaled and grown with integrity, consistency, and hospitality as the foundation We cover Starting and Growing a Coffee Business How coffee and music share similarities in terms of practice and discipline. Why defining a clear mission and values is crucial for a successful coffee business. Aligning company culture with the customer experience is essential. How building a strong team of leaders and coaching them is key to success. Alignment as a crucial component for effective cross-departmental leadership. Finding the right balance between bringing in outside talent and maintaining company culture is a challenge. Cleaning and Hospitality in the Coffee Industry Understanding Every Position in the Company Delegating Tasks and Hiring Managers Scaling the Company and Giving Opportunities Staying True to Company Identity Amidst Competition The Key to Crema's Success: Consistency and Reliability   Links:  www.crema-coffee.com @cremacrema  Related Episodes: 380 : Founder Friday! w/ Cary and Cindy Arsaga of Arsaga’s Coffee Roasters 273 : Founder Friday w/ Anne Lunnel and Charles Nystrand of Koppi Coffee Roasters, Helsingborg, Sweden 177 : Founder Friday w/ Jonathan Pascual of Taproom Coffee and Beer in Atlanta, Georgia 188 : Founder Friday w/ Jon Allen of Onyx Coffee Lab 156 : Founder Friday w/ Lauren Crabbe, Co-Founder of Andytown Coffee Roasters, San Fransisco 145: Founder Friday w/ Red Rooster Coffee Roasters co-founder, Haden Polseno-Hensley   Insights, perspective, accountability, and growth are just a few of the benefits that have changed lives through consulting, workshops, and trainings. ​For the last few years I have wanted to bring to more people, that same kind of transformational experience in a small group setting and now we are now ready to begin! I have personally been in a group for podcasters for the last 6 years and have also hired coaches, consultant, and been a part of an online community. It has all been indescribably transformational. Key Holder Coaching Groups will be hosted by Chris and consist of a curated group of 5 coffee shop owners. We will meet together 2x per month for 2 hours over a 6 month period. This structured group will allow each member to have multiple hot seat opportunities to present specific issues to the group and gain insight, feedback and direction to help them develop themselves, their people, and their business. In addition we will be consistently updated on each others progress and have opportunity to speak into each others lives. Key Holder Coaching members will have access to each other via the Circle.so community app Key Holder Coaching Group Applications are Open! APPLY TODAY!   Get the best brewer and tool for batch espresso, iced lattes, and 8 minute cold brew! www.groundcontrol.coffee   The world loves plant based beverages and baristas love the Barista Series! www.pacificfoodservice.com  

Designing your coffee shop can be one of the most exciting parts of the opening or scaling process. Exciting, that is, until we come up against resistance to our great ideas in the form of space limitations, quirks, historic preservations, zoning, etc.  On today's Shift Break we will be talking about how we can  embrace the limitations and constraints of our spaces in a way that moves us from frustration to actually being energized and confident in our unique cafe. You should listen to these episodes next: SHIFT BREAK : 2 Tips for Bar Design 367 : Designing Your Coffee Shop for Community w/ Dr. Lisa Waxman 240 : What to do before your Build your Bar Are You Open? 169 : Designing the Guest Experience w/ Dr. Lisa Waxman If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email chris@keystothshop.com of book a free call now:  https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min Key Holder Coaching Group Applications are Open! APPLY TODAY!   If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email chris@keystothshop.com of book a free call now:  https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min    Thank you to out sponsors! Everything you need for back of the house operations https://rattleware.qualitybystainless.com/   The best and most revered espresso machines on the planet: www.lamarzoccousa.com      

What is the "Best" coffee shop? As long as coffee and coffee shops have been around, us humans have been rather preoccupied with what the best coffee of coffee shop is. We have our own personal scale of judgment, then there are local popularity contests put on by city papers. Most famously over the past decade or two we have developed barista, brewing, coffee shop, and cupping competitions to determine quality. All of this is to my mind, not just to try to figure out "the best", but to extol virtues we desire to see continued in that category assuming that if they do then it will be a net gain for everyone seeking consistent enjoyment.  Today on the show we get to talk about nature of this construct, why it is a bad thing to base your business on, how we can put the idea of being "the best" into its proper place in our minds so it does not become a distraction from the ways we can truly find fulfillment and meaningfulness in our work serving coffee.    Related episodes: 454: Creating a Vibrant Coffee Bar w/ Charles Babinski of Cafe 143 in Sydney, AUS 433: Winning Staff and Customer Loyalty 390 : 7 Ways to be Consciously Competitive 485: Your Shop vs The Industry - How to Free Yourself From Dependency SHIFT BREAK: Minding Our Business 447: Understanding the Business of Coffee w/ Maxwell Colonna-Dashwood Key Holder Coaching Group Applications are Open! APPLY TODAY!   Get the best brewer and tool for batch espresso, iced lattes, and 8 minute cold brew! www.groundcontrol.coffee   The world loves plant based beverages and baristas love the Barista Series! www.pacificfoodservice.com  

Getting into coffee and then pursuing it as a career takes your through a few different phases of maturation. One of the first phases is where you focus only on one very specific thing to the detriment of many others. For me, the world could be on fire, but as long as I was behind the espresso machine and dialed in, all was good. Or so I thought.  On today's Shift Break we will be talking about why it is necessary for coffee professionals in the cafe to focus on the whole cafe and the experience guests have in it, not just one small part of that big picture.  Recommended episodes: Excellence In The Things We Hate The Impact of Absence The Currency of Urgency Working Clean : Tips for keeping the bar looking and working well while you work If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email chris@keystothshop.com of book a free call now:  https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min Key Holder Coaching Group Applications are Open! APPLY TODAY!   If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email chris@keystothshop.com of book a free call now:  https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min    Thank you to out sponsors! Everything you need for back of the house operations https://rattleware.qualitybystainless.com/   The best and most revered espresso machines on the planet: www.lamarzoccousa.com      

When you start a business, pretty much all your attention goes to getting it up and running and then to keeping it going and growing it over the hopefully many years of its life. What we often do not plan on or put energy into how we will exit the business. Whether it is passing it on to or selling it outright, many are ill prepared to make this transition and when they do want to sell or exit, are left with very few options and a business that is not sellable.   Today we are going to be covering the ins and outs, of what it takes to prepare yourself and your business for this future transition. I am so pleasded to welcome to the show, Aaron Friedman of Guideposts.io.   Aaron Friedman is a seasoned business leader with over two decades of experience spanning information technology, startups, venture capital, and acquisitions. Hailing from El Paso, TX, Aaron's passion for innovation was cultivated early on in his grandfather's machine shop working on racing engines. With a history of founding and selling companies across the globe, Aaron now specializes in acquiring and transforming companies. Beyond his professional pursuits, Aaron dedicates his free time to mentoring local entrepreneurs with Score.org, restoring classic cars, and indulging in his fascination for sailing. He has a proven track record of driving operational excellence and navigating complex business landscapes and is counted on as a trusted partner for navigating business exists.  We cover The Silver Tsunami and the Impact on Business Exits The Importance of Profitability and Building a Strong Foundation Delegate or Die: The Need for Delegation and Focus on Growth Defining Forward: Risks, Vulnerabilities, and Documentation The Value of a Turnkey Operation Consistency and Branding: Keys to Business Value Documenting Recipes and Processes for Consistency and Risk Mitigation Delegating and Empowering Key Employees for Growth and Exit Planning for the Future: What Do You Want Your Business to Look Like After You Exit? Effective Communication and Setting Expectations in Delegation Regularly Creating an Exit Plan: A Practice for Business Owners LINKS:  https://www.guideposts.io/   Related Episodes: 223 : Building a Financially Resilient Business w/ Andrew Carroll 489: Tips for Creating a Resilient Cafe 486: Why You should Fire Your Landlord and Consider Owning Your Building w/ Paul Neal 414: Secret Ingredients for a Successful Coffee Shop 330 : Establishing Systems in Your Coffee Shop 453 : The Craft of Operations 374: Opening a Coffee Shop: Fantasy vs Reality (w/ bonus commentary)” Insights, perspective, accountability, and growth are just a few of the benefits that have changed lives through consulting, workshops, and trainings. ​For the last few years I have wanted to bring to more people, that same kind of transformational experience in a small group setting and now we are now ready to begin! I have personally been in a group for podcasters for the last 6 years and have also hired coaches, consultant, and been a part of an online community. It has all been indescribably transformational. Key Holder Coaching Groups will be hosted by Chris and consist of a curated group of 5 coffee shop owners. We will meet together 2x per month for 2 hours over a 6 month period. This structured group will allow each member to have multiple hot seat opportunities to present specific issues to the group and gain insight, feedback and direction to help them develop themselves, their people, and their business. In addition we will be consistently updated on each others progress and have opportunity to speak into each others lives. Key Holder Coaching members will have access to each other via the Circle.so community app Key Holder Coaching Group Applications are Open! APPLY TODAY!   Get the best brewer and tool for batch espresso, iced lattes, and 8 minute cold brew! www.groundcontrol.coffee   The world loves plant based beverages and baristas love the Barista Series! www.pacificfoodservice.com  

 When we talk about our employees it is common to talk about "setting up staff for success", but what does that really look like. Talking about it can sometimes wrongly convince us that we are actually doing it.   On today's Shift Break we will be talking about what it looks like to set your staff up for success in very practical terms that, if applied, will transform the relationship to one of trust based on evidence in action, not just talk. Recommended episodes: 248 : The 5 Elements of Resourcing your Team 453 : The Craft of Operations 425 : Some Thoughts on Supporting Your Manager If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email chris@keystothshop.com of book a free call now:  https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min Key Holder Coaching Group Applications are Open! APPLY TODAY!   If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email chris@keystothshop.com of book a free call now:  https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min    Thank you to out sponsors! Everything you need for back of the house operations https://rattleware.qualitybystainless.com/   The best and most revered espresso machines on the planet: www.lamarzoccousa.com      

Welcome to our special episode from Coffee Fest live on the show floor interviews from New Orleans, 2024! To start us off we will be talking with Turgay Yildizli of Specialty Turkish Coffee, followed by Doron Petersan of Sticky Fingers Sweets and eats, then a great conversation with Jonathan Riethmaier of Mammoth Coffee in New Orleans. Turgay Yildizli Istanbul native Turgay Yildizli, who now lives in New Orleans, is the founder of Specialty Turkish Coffee, a company established in 2014 that offers everything one needs to make specialty Turkish coffee, from equipment to tutorials. He works as a consultant around the globe, helping coffee companies to develop their Turkish coffee programs. Specialty Turkish Coffee also offers certification workshops in Turkish coffee brewing. Turgay has made it his mission to improve the standards of Turkish Coffee and raise it up to the place it deserves in the specialty coffee community. He’s a certified Q Grader and roaster. He was the 2013 World Cezve/Ibrik (Turkish Coffee) Champion, he has also represented Turkey in the Brewers Cup and Coffee in Good Spirits Championship.  https://www.specialtyturkishcoffee.com/ Doron Petersan Doron Petersan is the owner and founder of Sticky Fingers Sweets & Eats in Washington, DC. As a New Yorker-turned-vegan transplant and craving traditional guilt-laden foods, Doron Petersan was determined to unlock the secrets of creating their plant-based counterparts—that didn’t’ taste like it. Armed with a Bachelors degree in Dietetics from the University of Maryland, she embraced her food-science knowledge and love for all things delicious. The Sticky Fingers brand represents the mission to create a plant-based space in the food industry for everyone to enjoy via direct outreach, direct to consumer, cpg and retail locations. Sticky Fingers has been making waves and serving up treats to fans far and wide, including celebrities like Miley Cyrus, Bethenny Frankel, and Ellen DeGeneres. Accolades for the bakery include ‘Food Network’s Cupcake Wars and battled to claim the competition’s grand prize, twice. Doron has been featured on The Cooking Channel’s Not My Mama’s Meals with Bobby Deen as well as NBC’s The Today Show with Kathy Lee and Hoda. She has contributed articles and recipes to Vegetarian Times and Reader’s Digest. The bakery’s recipe book, Sticky Fingers’ Sweets, was released on February 16, 2012, by Avery of Penguin Group USA. https://stickyfingersbakery.com/ Jonathan Riethmaier Jonathan’s journey into specialty coffee has spanned nearly two decades and included roles as barista, trainer, marketer and roaster. In 2016, Jonathan and his wife, Darlene, co-founded Mammoth Espresso, a specialty coffee retail shop in New Orleans, Louisiana. In 2021, Jonathan established Mammoth Coffee Company, a roasting and wholesale business. Jonathan heads up the roasting, production and sourcing departments of Mammoth, in addition to the day-to-day responsibilities of running a cafe and wholesale business.  https://mammothcoffee.co/ Related episodes:  219 : Building a Winning Food Program w/ Marilei Denila, Culinary R&D Manager, Go Get em Tiger 274 : Crafting Specialty Drinks in your Shop w/ Matt Foster” 129 : Founder Friday w/ Casey & Jeremy Miller of The Mudhouse, St. Louis, MO SPECIAL: Coffee Fest Live! Chicago 2022 Part 1 w/ Luke Waite, Kris Christian, and Perfect Cube SPECIAL! Part 2 | Coffee Fest Anaheim 2023 w/ Steve Chang of Copa Vida Cafe and Jon Ferguson of Coffee Tech Central Sponsor: www.coffeefest.com  

A shop is maintained by the attention and repeated actions we put into it. We need to make sure our systems and tools are crafted well in order to make sure these intentional actions and our best attention is circulated through the whole of the organization. Today we will be talking about 7 things that I believe should be standard in the work we do throughout the day. When we apply these tools and practices we will see a bug change in the way both our staff and guests experience the coffee shop.  Related Episodes: 007 : The 4 Keys to an Effective Checklist  330 : Establishing Systems in Your Coffee Shop 399: Encore Episode! How to Change Things in the Cafe 468: How to Be a Shift Lead Pre-Closing Madness Work Alchemy 098 : Loving the Closing Shift : Problems, solutions, and philosophy on work Key Holder Coaching Group Applications are Open! APPLY TODAY!   If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email chris@keystothshop.com of book a free call now:  https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min    Get the best brewer and tool for batch espresso, iced lattes, and 8 minute cold brew! www.groundcontrol.coffee   The world loves plant based beverages and baristas love the Barista Series! www.pacificfoodservice.com