Keys To The Shop : Equipping Coffee Shop Leaders

Many owners start in the business of coffee shops by buying an existing cafe. Sometimes there is a lot of work to do. Other times, the cafe is already a successful, well love, and established cafe. The later example is actually a bit more daunting since now there is legacy, community, and great staff to steward, all while learning the ropes yourself!
Today is a story of how one woman took on this challenge to take over an iconic cafe and what she has learned thus far.
I am excited to be talking with the new owner of the iconic cafe, Taproom Coffee, Ashley Derrick!
Ashley and her spouse, Alison, have lived in the East Lake neighborhood of Atlanta GA for 23 years. Ashley has been a Realtor for 19 of those years and has consistently taken her clients to Taproom Coffee - long before she wanted to buy it. Doing good work feeds her soul and she loves spending time with community members trying to figure out how to change the world - all while sipping on a cup of coffee.
 
Links: 
https://www.taproomcoffee.com/
https://www.instagram.com/taproomcoffee/
 
Consulting to help you and your coffee business thrive.
Book a free call now: 
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min 
 
Related episodes:
 
SPONSORS!
"Your Brand Cafe" for all your Cups, Sleeves printing and much more! 
 
The worlds best plant based beverages! The Barista Series!

In the ecosystem of entrepreneurship we glorify and practice a certain kind of paranoia about our businesses. We are never happy and always suspecting we are behind, or broken in some secret way that we need to find. The result is that, even when we arrive to a good place, our ability to recognize it and rest in it is nonexistent.
Today on Shift Break we will be talking about why we sometimes need to just let our businesses be. Rest in what has been made and grown and demonstrate to those you lead how to enjoy and be fully present in the moments that you all have worked hard to bring to bear.  
Related episodes: 
SHIFT BREAK: Rest and Meaningful Work
SHIFT BREAK! It's Got To Hurt If It's To Heal! : The Pins and Needles of Positive Change
Don't Let The Light Go Out
SHIFT BREAK : It's OK to Have Reasonable Tolerances
SHIFT BREAK! The Best Strategy is Simplicity
327: Founder Friday! w/ Phuong Tran of Lava Java
 
KEYS TO THE SHOP CONSULTING Helps You Find Joy
Book a free call now: 
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min 
SPONSORS!
 
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 coffee shop experience is one that should be accessible to a wide variety of people. How we go about building a welcoming and hospitable space is not only the work of interior design, workflow, and service standards; it also extends to the menu and what we offer. 
Enter the 2 dollar drip. An item that represents an intention put into action to offer something to anyone who has less but still wants to experience the beauty of what a coffee shop has to offer its community. 
One of the people championing this item and the philosophy behind it is the founder of Heavy Water Coffee in LA, Tim Riley. 
Tim has over a decade of coffee experience from barista, to roaster, and now brick and mortar cafe owner. Heavy water is a family run business that is the culmination of Tim's coffee journey and the lessons of balance between quality, excellence, and genuine hospitality. 
Today we are going to talk with Tim all about his career, how he has grown as a persona and a professional over the years, and what is behind the 2 dollar drip and the neighborhood focus of Heavy Water. 
 
Links: 
@heavywatercoffee https://www.instagram.com/heavywatercoffee/?hl=en
 
 
Consulting to help you and your coffee business thrive.
Book a free call now: 
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min 
 
Related episodes:
 
SPONSORS!
"Your Brand Cafe" for all your Cups, Sleeves printing and much more! 
 
The worlds best plant based beverages! The Barista Series!

Cold brew only is not a normal thing for a coffee bar. It takes deep dedication, innovation, and focus to drive that concept and offer customers out of the ordinary that they both remember AND love. For ten years now our guest has been blazing a trail for cold brew lovers to experience a fun, hospitable, pure, and deliciously crafted cold brew menu.

Today we will be talking to Stephanie Jones, Founder of Mrs. Jones Cold Brew in Pensacola, FL  

Mrs. Jones Cold brew is a brick and mortar cafe that specializes in high end bottled cold brew with a full menu of flights, specials, flavors, a build your own concept, and classics, all with just cold brew. No espresso machine in sight. 

What started as an idea in her kitchen, grew to farmers markets, and not 3 years into her own cafe, Stephanie Jones is sitting down with us to tell the story of here humble beginnings, lessons learned, and the secrets to serving customers cold brew with genuine warmth. 

Stephanie is also a 3x Key Holder Coaching Group cohort member! So I have been blessed to see this businesses recent growth. 

Here community has raved about her and her team for years and I am thrilled to get her on the show to tell her story and show us what is possible with cold brew and a dream. 
Consulting to help you and your coffee business thrive.
Book a free call now: 
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min 
 
Related episodes:
430 : Embracing "Unreasonable Hospitality" w/ Will Guidara | Thank You NYC + The Welcome Conference
SHIFT BREAK! The Trend of Backwards Hospitality
SHIFT BREAK! The Trend of Backwards Hospitality
469: Unremarkable Hospitality and Cafe Terroir
 
 
SPONSORS!
"Your Brand Cafe" for all your Cups, Sleeves printing and much more! 
 
The worlds best plant based beverages! The Barista Series!

What happens when we build into our systems exceptions for the less than desirable habits of staff? Well for starters we rob that staff member of the opportunity to grow and receive correction to meet the standards. We then rob our business of reach its potential as we now erode the foundations from the inside. Lastly we rob the customer of a great experience because all the little compromises and permissions we give to issues that should be addressed, make their way into the cup. 
Today on Shift Break we will be talking about why operators should not build into their systems and policies, exceptions and leeway that further promotes bad behaviors and habits. It is important that we consistently call ourselves and others up to high standards rather than lowering them for avoidance or convenience. 
Related episodes: 
496: Hard Decisions and High Standards
Grace and High Standards
SHIFT BREAK : Setting and meeting Standards in the Coffee Shop
 
 
KEYS TO THE SHOP CONSULTING HELPS YOU MAKE YOU CAFE BETTER!
Book a free call now: 
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min 
SPONSORS!
 
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