Keys To The Shop : Equipping Coffee Shop Leaders

More than just a 3rd space, some cafes are platforms for ideas, catalysts for change, and a space specifically organized and designed to grow and nurture their communities. 
Led by people with deep convictions and a vivid vision for what can be, these spaces transform and help support the community beyond the coffee. 
Today we get to catch up with someone who has spend decades pouring into her community and has learned a lot of very valuable lessons to help you do the same. 
 Inspired by her afro-indigenous lineage, Blew kind creates transformational experiences where folks can connect deeper within themselves and each other toward their highest self. She offers moments of pause, conversation, and discovery where we can experience daily magic, while being open to heal individually and collectively. Her play involves poetry, crafting, dance, listening to stories, and community space making.
Blew kind has developed multiple cultural community organizations in Philadelphia including Franny Lou's Porch cafe, Koku-Roko Learning Co-operative, d'griot café & gallery, and rad.Love; a non-profit fiscally sponsored by the Painted Bride Arts Center to support community programming.
Grateful to be involved in the good work, Blew also supports other black, brown, and community leaders on their journey through public speaking and coaching.
We discuss:
Journey from Franny Lou's Porch to D'griot
The Meaning of D'griot and Its Cultural Roots
Pandemic Impact and Business Growth
Overcoming Resistance and Building Resilience
Wealth, Value, and Community Support
Community Heart and Giving Back
Balancing Personal Fulfillment and Community Service
The Value of Humility and Collective Effort
Community Collaboration and Unexpected Opportunities
 
KEYS TO THE SHOP ALSO OFFERS
1:1 CONSULTING + 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 
 
Related episodes: 
232 : Founder Friday w/ Blew Kind of Fanny Lou's Porch
380 : Founder Friday! w/ Cary and Cindy Arsaga of Arsaga's Coffee Roasters
602: Renata Henderson | Cxffeeblack | Putting The Heart Back Into Coffee
367 : Designing Your Coffee Shop for Community w/ Dr. Lisa Waxman
230 : Making room for Community in your Shop

We have heard this phrase before and, if we are honest, we have said it a couple times too. The statement is problematic since it assumes that the world around us is the reason we can't seem to find the help we want.
Today on Shift Break we will be talking about why it seems like we can't find good help, and the reality of how our own behaviors, lack of preparation, and well thought through systems related to hiring and leader support are the real cause behind this illusion. 
 
Sign up for 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
OR... book a free call now to talk about working together
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min 
Related Episodes:
SHIFT BREAK: Three BIG Hiring Mistakes (and how to avoid them)
SHIFT BREAK! With or Without Experience? Hiring the Best Baristas
Raising Your Hiring Standard
Hiring for Future Leadership
301 : Hiring and Training for Excellence

Our businesses are the results of the small and large decisions we make over the years. It is our behavior in the business that ultimately determines the success and Impact we can realize. Some have said that the 4th wave is ,marked by more passionate coffee balancing that passion with good business practice and strategy. 
Today will be talking with someone who has been hugely influential in teaching solid and sustainable business behavior to countless coffee professionals and companies world wide. 
I happy to welcome Tracy Allen to the show!  
Tracy Allen founded Brewed Behavior, a global consulting and education firm dedicated to advancing the specialty coffee industry worldwide in 2008.

Through Brewed Behavior, Tracy has trained and advised hundreds of coffee professionals, roasters, café owners, and organizations across multiple continents. His consulting work focuses on elevating bean quality, optimizing operations, developing world-class training programs, and preparing teams for top-level competition.

With more than 30 years of hands-on experience, Tracy brings unmatched depth to his clients. His journey began as a passionate home roaster in the 1990s, followed by roles as Beverage Specialist at Procter & Gamble (Millstone and Folgers), Operations Manager for a Kansas City roaster, and Co-Owner of Zoka Coffee Roaster & Tea Company in Seattle. At Zoka, he helped establish the company as a leader in both quality and barista training — with its baristas consistently ranking among the top in U.S. Barista Competitions.

Today, Tracy channels this extensive expertise through Brewed Behavior to help clients worldwide achieve excellence. He is the last full-term President of the SCAA and Founding Chair of the WBC Rules & Regulations Committee. He has been a certified U.S. and World Barista Competition judge, an SCA Certified Cupper, a certified Q Grader and Instructor, and a three-time "Super Taster." Through Brewed Behavior, Tracy Allen continues to shape the future of specialty coffee on a global scale. 
We Cover: 
Understanding Business and Passion in Coffee
The Importance of Financial Discipline
Navigating Growth and Corporate Culture
Consumer Behavior and Coffee Trend
Best Practices for Long-Term Success
Developing Financial Acumen
The Importance of Financial Discipline
Navigating Projections and Inventory Management
Understanding Market Dynamics and Unique Value Propositions
Links: 
www.brewedbehavior.com 
 
 
KEYS TO THE SHOP ALSO OFFERS
1:1 CONSULTING + 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 
 
Related episodes: 
 
576: Financial Stability Using Profit First for Coffee Businesses w/ Kim Logsdon of Caffeinate Your Cash
447: Understanding the Business of Coffee w/ Maxwell Colonna-Dashwood
022 : Founder Friday w/ Colin Harmon of 3fe Coffee, Dublin Ireland & Author of the new book, "What I know About Running Coffee Shops"
283 : 5 Bad Reasons to Open a Coffee Shop
SHIFT BREAK! Become Immune to Fear-Based Coffee Marketing
327: Founder Friday! w/ Phuong Tran of Lava Java
489: Tips for Creating a Resilient Cafe
223 : Building a Financially Resilient Business w/ Andrew Carroll

The best coffee businesses are built on solid values, local community, and small consistent steps taken toward deeper connection through hospitality and excellence in the product. The story of Wheelhouse Coffee is one that demonstrates the power of intentional people-first work over time and what happens when you make growth a conversation with those your serve. 
I am thrilled to get to talk with the founder of Wheelhouse Coffee in Nova Scotia, CA, Amos Gillespie!
Wheelhouse Coffee began with an eight-year-old Amos sharing morning coffee with his dad. By 17, that simple joy had grown into a coffee dream. After an espresso machine, a barista job, and a life-changing Portland coffee show, Amos launched Wheelhouse in 2018.
However, being a single owner with a small sample roaster and a full-time job became increasingly challenging.
In 2020, after a beautiful summer wedding, he and his wife set out to grow Wheelhouse together. From basement beginnings to a thriving café, their journey is driven by their love for coffee and the people they serve.
We discuss:
How Amos Was Introduced to Coffee
Beginning and Building Confidence in Roasting
Navigating Stagnation
The Shift Towards a Coffee Business
Feedback and Growth in Coffee Roasting
Understanding Customer Relationships
The Move To Opening a Coffee Shop
Balancing Vision with Financial Realities
Building Relationships with Customers
Advice for Aspiring Cafe Owners
KEYS TO THE SHOP ALSO OFFERS
1:1 CONSULTING + 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 
 
Related episodes: 
476: Founder Friday! The Story of Story Coffee w/ Don Niemyer of Story Coffee Co.
391 : Founder Friday! w/ Megan Wilson of Spuds Coffee in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
145: Founder Friday w/ Red Rooster Coffee Roasters co-founder, Haden Polseno-Hensley

It may seem unfair, but it is the truth. Customer hold a special place in their brains for negative experiences. Don't we do the same? And when do most of these lower quality experiences tend to take place? Usually when we are the busiest and have the greatest opportunity to build a good reputation. It's diabolical! 
On today's Shift Break we will be talking about why you are only as good as your worst drink, worst service encounter, worst whatever! And what we can do to rewire the part of our brains and operations that allow these moments to happen. 
 
Related Episodes:
YouTube:
SHIFT BREAK! How to Think About Quality
533: Principles of Quality Control
SHIFT BREAK: Quality Still Matters
084 : Crushing the Rush : Tips and Best Practices for Busy Times
520: Tips For Great Workflow and Bar Presence
Spotify:
SHIFT BREAK! How to Think About Quality
533: Principles of Quality Control
SHIFT BREAK: Quality Still Matters
084 : Crushing the Rush : Tips and Best Practices for Busy Times
520: Tips For Great Workflow and Bar Presence
Website:
SHIFT BREAK! How to Think About Quality
533: Principles of Quality Control
SHIFT BREAK: Quality Still Matters
084 : Crushing the Rush : Tips and Best Practices for Busy Times
520: Tips For Great Workflow and Bar Presence