Keys To The Shop : Equipping Coffee Shop Leaders

As most of you know, Starbucks has once again coopted a traditional drink and introduced it to their menu as a part of their "Back to Starbucks" campaign. The cortado, a 4 oz espresso and milk drink originating in Spain, has been a staple menu item in specialty coffee for decades. Only now it appears on the Starbucks menu as an 8oz drink. Of course we are all bracing for the wave of customers requesting a Starbucks fun-house- mirror version of this drink, much like the macchiato. But there is a whole lot more to discuss than just the bizarro versions of drinks we have to navigate. Today on Shift Break we will be talking about why this attempt at winning back trust with new drinks and branding efforts is a hollow but very familiar practice not reserved only for corporate giants who have lost their way. We too engage in this activity more than we'd care to admit. Let's go beyond the commiseration and talk about what we can learn from this moment in coffee and use it for the greater good  Related episodes: SHIFT BREAK! Should You Up-Charge for Alternative Milks? 502: Creating Meaningful Coffee Experiences Building Trust-Credit 433: Winning Staff and Customer Loyalty   ATTENTION CAFE OWNERS w/ 2+ Years of running your brick and mortar.... - LOOKING FOR A COMMUNITY OF SUPPORT, ACCOUNTABILITY, INSIGHT, AND ENCOURAGEMENT?  - The Key Holder Coaching Group master-mind are now taking new applicants for our 4th cohort launching in March 2025!    Click below to fill out your application now! KEY HOLDER COACHING APPLICATION   INTERESTED IN CONSULTING AND COACHING? 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  

Many, dare I say, all of us, who fell in love with coffee can trace our beginnings to a moment when something we experienced in the cup surprised us with its depth and character. It was a catalyst that set us off in the pursuit of understanding and experiencing that kind of moment again and again.  People are the same. Ubiquitous en mass, until you get to know the individual and through relating their stories and experiencing their character, we are often surprised by a depth that begins to teach us that there is more to them and we can, if we allow ourselves, begin to pursue that experience again and again in our own conversations, or by providing a platform for those conversations to take place. Like a coffee house. Or in the case of today's guest, a podcast.  Ryan Woldt is  a Wisconsin-born author, entrepreneur, and creative maker. He is currently the producer and host of the Coffee People and Coffee Smarter podcasts and a brand ambassador for Roastar, Inc., a coffee packaging company. Ryan is a self-described creative raccoon, always reaching for the next shiny creative project to add to his current collection. Having grown up in a family restaurant, he has continued to keep a foot in the door of the hospitality space for more than three decades. His passion for collaboration overlaps with his desire to make things. He is particularly drawn to projects in the hospitality space and recently launched a coffee collaboration celebrating the language of the Midwest called Yeah, No...Yeah Coffee with Minneapolis-based roaster Relative Coffee Company. (Ryan currently lives with his wife and dog in Southern California, where he procrastinates before deadlines by drinking coffee, riding his bicycle, or reading a book.) Today we get to hear Ryan's story of hospitality, creative pursuits, personal challenge and victory, and what he has learn creating a platform for the story behind the people of coffee.   Links: Roast! West Coast Newsletter* - Signing up is the best way to support our effort. R!WC Youtube - video podcasts coming soon. 1st release 1/22/2025 Coffee People on Spotify Coffee People on Apple Podcasts Yeah, No...Yeah Coffee (Direct Link on Relative shop) Coffee + Cactus Coloring Book One Wild Life Co. Roastar   Related episodes:  112 : The Power of Story w/ James Harper of Filter Stories Podcast 391 : Founder Friday! w/ Megan Wilson of Spuds Coffee in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 380 : Founder Friday! w/ Cary and Cindy Arsaga of Arsaga’s Coffee Roasters ATTENTION CAFE OWNERS w/ 2+ Years of running your brick and mortar.... - LOOKING FOR A COMMUNITY OF SUPPORT, ACCOUNTABILITY, INSIGHT, AND ENCOURAGEMENT?  - The Key Holder Coaching Group master-mind are now taking new applicants for our 4th cohort launching in march!    Click below to fill out your application now! KEY HOLDER COACHING APPLICATION INTERESTED IN 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING? 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  Want a beautiful coffee shop? All your hard surface, stone, Tile and brick needs!  www.arto.com Visit @artobrick The world loves plant based beverages and baristas love the Barista Series! www.pacificfoodservice.com  

Bryant Banker Scannell, a roasting educator and founder of Relative Coffee Co., shares his extensive knowledge in coffee roasting. He discusses the debate between pre-blending green coffee for efficiency and post-roast blending for control and quality. Listeners explore how factors like bean size and elevation influence flavor profiles. Bryant emphasizes the importance of experimentation and understanding individual coffee characteristics, while balancing practicality and creativity in the roasting process. He inspires roasters to embrace the art and science behind coffee.

Does this sound familiar? "You should shop here because we are local! ...or we support this cause! ...or we have this association!"? While our identity and associations in the community are beautiful and add depth to what customers might love about you, too often we can use these things as means to solicit support in ways that are as though we are guilt trip on people. There are many issues that arise from this that could damage not only your business but the thing you may want to support or represent. Today on Shift Break we will be talking about why no matter the nuances of your unique business, your success and value proposition needs first be the quality of how you serve in the cafe, then the nuances and details of the why will be best represented.  When you get the order correct, this leads to a better chance of serving that cause and the community you want to support or reach.   Related episodes: "Local" does not Equal Quality Make Your Problems More Specific 406 : Five Ways to Immediately Improve Your Coffee Quality 502: Creating Meaningful Coffee Experiences Differentiation Takes Time! INTERESTED IN CONSULTING AND COACHING? 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  

Even with all the conversations and tools available to us around the subject of hospitality, it is easy to engage in the pursuit of it in a way that ends up not resonating and lacks meaning. We can go through the motions, inspired as we are by the example of others, and not see the magic we assumed would follow our efforts. So, what does running a coffee shop with meaningful hospitality look like?  Today we are going to deep dive into this subject and breakdown for you in detail the areas, levels, and methods for engaging in and cultivating meaningful hospitality both across the bar and behind it.  We cover:  How meaningful hospitality as a lifestyle and conviction. Why aligning business values with operations is crucial Recognizing and rewarding positive actions  How building trust takes time and consistent effort Every interaction should validate the customer's significance. Why protection and accountability is important in meaningful hospitality Where patience and understanding human needs is fit in effective hospitality Understanding individual needs is crucial for effective service Why systems should support the values of the business Consistent application of standards is essential for fairness Mutuality and co-creation enhance the hospitality experience Why emotional metrics are as important as numerical ones Continuous learning is vital for hospitality providers Letting go of outdated practices is necessary for growth This was originally a talk developed for a webinar put on by our coffee friend, Sarah Naylor of Day Break Coffee cart.  See the link below to learn more about what she does!  Link: www.daybreakcoffeecart.com   Related episodes:  430 : Embracing “Unreasonable Hospitality” w/ Will Guidara | Thank You NYC + The Welcome Conference 424: Developing Menu and Hospitality Guides 421: Encore Episode: Simple, Powerful, Hospitality w/ Philip Paul Turner 343 : Founder Friday! “Curated Edition” | Hospitality + Meeting People Where They Are Spiders and Customer Service 271 : Why the Cash Register Controls Everything The Broken Chair The Difference of Deference to your Staff Systems as Care   INTERESTED IN 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING? 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  Want a beautiful coffee shop? All your hard surface, stone, Tile and brick needs!  www.arto.com Visit @artobrick The world loves plant based beverages and baristas love the Barista Series! www.pacificfoodservice.com  

The value proposition of a coffee shop is not a complicated one. Kind service and hospitality in a clean and well organized space serving consistently great coffee. Boooring! At least that what it seems like we must be thinking. Why else would we be so obsessed with the new and novel at the expense of mastering the basics?  Today on Shift Break we will be talking about why we should always focus our best energies and focus on the basics that effectively provide guest and staff with a fulfilling experience. It's not about entertaining ourselves with novelty and complexity as though we are too cool for the basics, its about hosting and serving others through the basics.     Related episodes: 421: Encore Episode: Simple, Powerful, Hospitality w/ Philip Paul Turner 500! Reflections and The Role of the Coffee Shop in the Industry 485: Your Shop vs The Industry - How to Free Yourself From Dependency INTERESTED IN CONSULTING AND COACHING? 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  

The act of creating a space is the core existence of the coffee shop operator. The way we set our minds to the task of serving through selecting colors, textures, material, ingredients, and of course our words and actions. This all creates a singular experience we call a cafe. Today's guest has a deep appreciation for and experience helping people build these spaces, quite literally one brick at a time. I am so pleased to welcome to the show, Armen Alajian of Arto Brick!  Armen Alajian is a self-described dreamer and maker with a passion for making and merchandising products that help others create spaces of hospitality and warmth. He co-owns and operates Arto, a handcrafted tile business based in Gardena, California, part of the greater Los Angeles area, alongside his brother, Varoujan (Vod). Through his work, Armen aims to inspire and support the creation of beautiful, welcoming environments that bring people together. An Armenian-American with roots in Egypt, Armen draws on his rich cultural heritage and lifelong dedication to faith, family, and craftsmanship. Together with his wife, Sally, he is raising eight children, attempting to instill in them a sense of responsibility, creativity, and an ownership mindset. Sally is Armen’s steadfast partner in both life and purpose, supporting his vision of building meaningful connections through his work. Guided by the principle to “Set and surpass expectations”, Armen combines his love for making with an unwavering focus on service. His goal is not just to build products but to build connections—creating tools for others to design spaces where people can gather, share, and thrive. In this conversation we learn about: Arto Brick's history of craftsmanship. Why we should look to create unique spaces Why commerce is an integral part of culture and community building. How intentional design can create peaceful and inviting spaces. Material choices significantly impact the overall experience of a space. The idea that he people involved in a space contribute to its atmosphere. The importance of every element in a space working together harmoniously. How understanding customer intentions leads to better design outcomes. Unique manufacturing processes can create a sense of magic in products. Company culture and employee satisfaction / retention. Why we need gratitude in our hospitality  Creating spaces of peace enhances customer experiences. Why community and connection are vital in the workplace. Striving for high aspirations and key learnings for leaders Links: www.arto.com Instagram @artobrick    Related and recommended episodes:  430 : Embracing “Unreasonable Hospitality” w/ Will Guidara | Thank You NYC + The Welcome Conference 511: The Art of Designing Unique Coffee Bars w/ Scott Magic of Magic Architecture SHIFT BREAK: Embrace Your Space SHIFT BREAK : 2 Tips for Bar Design 275 : The Changing Landscape of Cafe Spaces w/ Dr. Jennifer Ferreira 206 : The Emotional and Social Impact of the Cafe Space w/ Noa Berger 367 : Designing Your Coffee Shop for Community w/ Dr. Lisa Waxman 375 : Founder Friday! w/ Roland Horne of WatchHouse 205 : Inside Caffe Florian, the World’s Oldest Coffee Shop ! | Venice, Italy INTERESTED IN CONSULTING AND COACHING? 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  Want a beautiful coffee shop? All your hard surface, stone, Tile and brick needs!  www.arto.com Visit @artobrick   The world loves plant based beverages and baristas love the Barista Series! www.pacificfoodservice.com  

Delegation is a difficult, but necessary part of growing your coffee business. It is critical in helping you grow as well. Delegation of responsibility and authority is a response to the growth of the business that, while promising to expand your organizations capacity to steward that growth, tests your resolve. That is because of what we will call the "delegation dip". Today on Shift Break we will be talking about how you can (and must!) navigate the initial dip in performance associated with delegation in order to push through to the other side where it creates higher performance, capacity, and stability in the cafe.      Related episodes: 267 : The Power of Delegation   SHIFT BREAK: Don't Just Do It   475: Essential Tools for Cafe Management   Messy Can Be Beautiful   362: How to Handle Growth in Your Coffee Shop INTERESTED IN CONSULTING AND COACHING? 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  

How do you brew great coffee at home? That question is probably one of the most searched and asked questions that has unleashed what seems like a never ending stream of educational platforms, curated lists, videos, and blogs. It is honestly both exciting and overwhelming. The new question might actually be, "how do I make sense of all my options to make great coffee at home?" That is where today's guest, Justin Piercy of Daddy Got Coffee steps in to help.  Justin Piercy is the former sound engineer, family man, coffee enthusiast, and now full time home coffee education professional behind the popular, fun, and approachable platform, Daddy Got Coffee. His work has a lot to do with creating clarity for viewers to find what works for them to enjoy the coffee they buy at our roasteries and, in turn, this helps those home enthusiast become more discerning customers of the cafe. In this interview we explore not only Justin's own story of how he came to champion home coffee education, but also how home coffee as a category has influenced cafe culture and why it has been a force for good. We discuss:  The Spark of the Coffee Enthusiast Navigating the Learning Curve The Intersection of Creativity and Logic Understanding the Coffee Enthusiast's Mindset The Impact of Home Brewing on Cafes Understanding Your Audience's Needs Defining Success in Coffee Business Intentionality in Coffee Choices Links: 360: Encore Episode! Hosting Consumer Coffee Classes: 7 Tips for Success   035 : The Consumer Revolution w/ Kevin Sinnott   333: Bridging the Professional and Home Barista Gap w/ Lance Hedrick of Onyx Coffee Lab   322 : A Conversation w/ LaNisa Williams of Barista Life L.A.   Want a beautiful coffee shop? All your hard surface, stone, Tile and brick needs!  www.arto.com Visit @artobrick   The world loves plant based beverages and baristas love the Barista Series! www.pacificfoodservice.com   Follow on Instagram! @Artobrick .... and tell them Chris sent you!

Let's face it, the look, feel, and functionality of the physical coffee shop will always be an important part of showing hospitality to our guests. The issues we are faced with is one as old as time. We meticulously set up our spaces when we first open, get busy, and then slowly allow them to fall apart. We don't notice it so much because we are busy with other things, but the customers notices, and taken together, it has a dramatic impact on everything we put our hands to. Today on Shift Break we will be discussing the importance of taking very good care of your coffee shop. The space itself is a sacred one. The first place we encounter the truth of marketing claims about quality, community, specialty, excellence etc. In this new year lets determine to focus on keeping our shop as a way of keeping our promises and the first basic step in showing the hospitality we say we want to offer.   Related episodes: 307 : 10 Simple ways to Level Up your Coffee Shop SHIFT BREAK: Focusing on the Whole, Not the Part The Impact of Absence 2nd First Impression : Tips for Welcoming Customers Back Working Clean : Tips for keeping the bar looking and working well while you work The Currency of Urgency 498: 10 Small Things to Fix in Your Coffee Shop This Week   INTERESTED IN CONSULTING AND COACHING? 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