Keys To The Shop : Equipping Coffee Shop Leaders

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 [email protected] 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

Whether it started purely as a quest for efficiency, or as a way to achieve consistency in a blend, pre-blending green coffee is a pretty staple practice for coffee roasters. The alternative, and perhaps original way of blending is the classic post-roast blend whose adherents tout its ability to give them ulitmate control of each coffee and thus better quality. Whether you do one or both of these methods of blending in your roastery, it always helps to explore the why behind them, and talk about the possible benefits and drawbacks of each. To help us understand this more I am thrilled to bring on to the show roasting educator extraordinaire and founder of Relative Coffee Co., Bryant Banker-Scannell! Bryant has helped launch the coffee careers of hundreds of new roasters through his work as lead roasting instructor and the heart of the in-house roastery at Mill City Roasters®. He also owns and operates Relative Coffee Co. which combines his passion of roasting, design, and photography to create a fun and tasty coffee brand. Based in Minneapolis, Bryant has worked in cafe and roasting positions since 2011. With over a decade of roasting experience, he believes coffee should be approachable, fun, and unique to your experience in the industry. We discuss: Bryant's Beginning in Coffee Education Based in Reality The Art and Science of Coffee Roasting The State of Blending Coffee Omni-Roasting vs. Individual Characteristics Pre-Blending vs. Post-Roast Blending The importance of Quality Balanced with Efficiency The Importance of Heat Management in Roasting Post-Roast Blending: Advantages and Considerations Links: www.relativecoffeeco.com Instagram: @relativecoffeeco Related episodes: ROR #24 : Perspectives on Roasting for Espresso w/ Jaroslav Tuček of Doubleshot, Czech Republic RoR #5: Time and Color in Roasting w/ Morten Munchow of Coffee Mind" ROR #8 How Post-Harvest Processing Impacts Flavor w/ Siva Subramanian and Byron Holcomb of Olam Food Ingredients RoR #4: Practical Thermal Dynamics w/ Candice Madison of Royal Coffee / The Crown Oak Our Sponsor for Rate of Rise! www.millcityroasters.com

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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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

It's that time of year where we are collectively setting our sights on both the past and the future. What will this next year of 2025 hold for you and your coffee shop? The answer to that question is that your tends to be made up of the things you focus on most. So if we want to increase our chances of experiencing good things, we need to increase our focus on what good things we would like to see. Today you and I are spending some time together to focus on 7 words / areas that I believe are worthy of your focus in the New Year. Take these words and think on them, ponder and meditate on how to bring them into your personal practice, your communication and training of staff, and your cafes operations. If you can meaningfully integrate these things into the fabric of your organization in 2025, you will definitely have a good year. We discuss and explore: Presence Iteration Resource Discovery Joy Communication Quality Links: 224 : Essentialism: Focusing on what truly Matters w/ Greg McKeown 173 : 5 Areas of Focus for Retailers 489: Tips for Creating a Resilient Cafe 181 : Organizational Self-Knowledge 453 : The Craft of Operations 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!

Every Coffee Fest we get to sit down with some very cool presenters to chat about their businesses, area, of expertise, and insights that will help you run a better cafe. The last show of the year took place in Minneapolis, MN and was a wonderful time of sharing, community, and value. Even though my equipment decided (after 8 years of service) to die on the spot of my first interview, we got to catch up with two presenters over Zoom and have some very helpful conversations. Today we are presenting to you my interview with Jaime Becker-Finn of Makwa Coffee and Frederick Dubose of Sun Bean Coffee! We start with Jaime Becker-Finn Jamie Becker-Finn is the founder and owner of Makwa Coffee, a community centered craft coffee shop that opened in Roseville, MN in 2022. Jamie is a descendant of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and named the shop after her clan - "makwa" is the Ojibwe word for black bear (pronounced "muck-wuh"). In a sea of suburban chain stores, Makwa Coffee is proud to be a unique and values-driven space where queer folks, Native folks, and the entire community is welcomed. In addition to running the shop, Jamie is an attorney and is also wrapping up eight years of service in the Minnesota House of Representatives, where she chaired the House Judiciary Committee. Jamie grew up on the rez near Cass Lake and goes home often. She loves her people, her dogs, live music, books and soccer. Links Instagram: @makwacoffee https://www.makwacoffee.com/ Next up we have Fredrick Dubose After dedicating over 20 years to mentoring and supporting young people, Fredrick recognized that creating a physical space where the community could gather and engage was the next step in his mission to foster connection and growth. This vision became a reality when he opened SunBean Coffee Shop. His experience in youth work taught him the value of creating safe, inclusive environments where people can thrive. SunBean became that space for not only young people but for the entire neighborhood. Fredrick saw an opportunity to continue his mentorship by hiring local youth, offering them not just employment but life skills, a sense of responsibility, and a platform to contribute to their community. SunBean is a local institution known for its welcoming atmosphere and positive impact. His coffee shop has become a space for conversation, creativity, and collaboration, hosting community events and offering a venue where people from all walks of life can connect. Fredrick's transition from youth work to business ownership is a testament to his belief that community service and entrepreneurship can go hand in hand, each reinforcing the other to create lasting change." Links https://sunbeancoffeemn.com/ Instagram: @sunbeancoffeemn 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 [email protected] of book a free call now: https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min

For this last Founder Friday of 2024 we are featuring a story that I believe really embodies the spirit of entrepreneurship that fuels so many coffee shops. From a cart in the pandemic, to a thriving cafe and catering business, Thrd Coffee, Lead by Raoul Adwan, has shown what is possible when you build with passion and focus. Raoul Adwan is a Chicago native of Mexican and Bolivian descent who turned a passion for coffee into a thriving business. Raoul launched his venture during the pandemic with the help of a stimulus check, starting off with a single coffee cart offering street-side brews. What began as a humble pop-up operation quickly gained traction, and within four years, Raoul's business expanded to a brick-and-mortar location (currently in the works for his second shop) , complemented by multiple carts equipped with top-tier coffee gear. Today, Raoul leads one of Chicago's top coffee catering operations, serving corporate spaces and buildings across downtown with full-service coffee bars. His innovative approach and commitment to quality have positioned his business for rapid growth, with projected 2024 sales of over $600K and total gross revenue (starting from 2020 to now) hitting $1.15M. Raoul's journey is a testament to entrepreneurial spirit and community-driven success. Links: https://www.thrdcoffee.com/ @THRDCOFFEECO Related episodes: 453 : The Craft of Operations 432 : How to Win in Specialty Retail Coffee Creative Avoidance : Thoughts on Long-game Management 169 : Designing the Guest Experience w/ Dr. Lisa Waxman 115 : Finding Success in Mobile Coffee w/ Tim Cox / Communion Coffee 422: Coffee Truck Success w/ Vincent LaVolpa of Green Joe Coffee School 384 : How to Run a Successful Coffee Cart w/ Sarah Naylor of Daybreak Coffee Cart 385 : Founder Friday! w/ Arick Davis and Sarah Laman of Last Mile Cafe, Grand Rapids, MI 187 : A Conversation with Nikki Outlaw of Anecho Coffee 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!

Labor cost is probably the number one most worried over metric in the cafe. Of course, like any other metric that signifies the health of the business, your labor cost needs to be something you pay attention to and control. But the way many cafes approach labor cost can be akin to sawing off the branch they sit on. Short term gain, long term detriment. In a time where the need for talent acquisition and wages are on the rise, it is time we take a fresh look at ways to grow and maintain profitability. Today on Shift Break we will be talking about ways to view your labor cost in light of the whole business, how to prioritize your focus and energy, and why your investment into labor may not need to be as tightly controlled as you have been led to believe. Related episodes: 341: How to Think About Success 009 : How to Approach Data and Metrics w/ Simon Ouderkirk : Simon shows us how we should be thinking of numbers and their relation to our shops, baristas, and businesses 302 : Data's Roll in the Success of your Shop w/ Mark Calhoun and Jim Strarcev of Perfect Cube 244 : Top 10 Ways to Lose Employees 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 [email protected] 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

Music and coffee seem to just go together. If you are into one, the other is not far behind. Both coffee and music inspire and create community that fuel's our lives. Today's guest began his coffee journey as a full time touring musician and was immediately hooked. His journey took him from e-commerce and pop-ups, to now his own brick and mortar store. Today we are chatting with Acey Slade of the weird and wonderful, Cat Fight Coffee! Catfight Coffee was formed in 2020 by career musician Acey Slade (Dope, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Til Lindemann of Rammstein) and his wife Meiling (a Taiwanese native) when both saw their respective careers put on hold due to Covid Lockdown. Acey, having had a previous background in the coffee industry and Meiling having a successful career in beauty industry. They put their experience to work and Catfight Coffee was born as e-commerce business. Today Catfight Coffee is available in over 80 retail outlets across North America. Roasting and distribution in the UK will begin in early 2023 as will the first retail outlet in Asia. We cover: From Music to Coffee: The Birth of Catfight Coffee Pop-Ups and Community Engagement Balancing Personal Taste with Customer Preferences Branding and Marketing Strategies Creating a Welcoming Coffee Shop Environment Building the Brick and Mortar: Challenges and Insights The Importance of Customer Experience Learning from the First Week of Operations Hiring for Success in the Coffee Business Personal Growth as a Business Owner Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs Links: https://www.catfightcoffee.com/ IG : @catfightcoffee 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!

There is no doubt about it, having a training lab is a wonderful asset to have for elevating the quality of your training...until it isn't. Truthfully, much like any tool, it depends on how it is used and whether it is part of a bigger picture. Today on Shift Break we will be talking about the good and the bad of training labs. You don't necessarily need one, but if you do have a lab or are wanting to create one, then this episode will help you create it and use it in a way that produces more than just classroom knowledge, but real world skill. Related episodes: 505: Maintaining Excellence in the Everyday Work of Coffee Shops w/ Maxwell Dashwood SHIFT BREAK: Minding Our Business SHIFT BREAK: Detail Oriented Staff Starts With You You Need to Prioritize In-House Training! 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 [email protected] 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

Ideas are like green coffee seeds. They are bundles potential cultivated by earnest hands that are then received by others who take them and develop them further. The final rendering of that seed can and does often result in something beautiful. This is how I think of mediums like podcasts, videos, and, of course, books. Today I want to share with you 5 books that I believe speak to areas of our lives and businesses that will bring inspiration, perspective, comfort, and growth. They are all special and I hope you take the time to dive into one or all of them sometime soon so you can see what grows from the seed of those ideas in your life. Links: Celebrating the Third Place Shopkeeping What to Remember When Waking Unreasonable Hospitality The Art of being Indispensable at Work The Practicing Mind Related episodes: 083: 6 Essential Books for your Professional Growth 137 : Essential Books for your Professional Development vol.2 : Five books to help you grow 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!

The title of today's episode sounds like a no brainer, but you may or may not be surprised to know that it is way easier than you think to be this way when traIning baristas. It is not something that we set out to do, but is born from a confluence of insecurities, myopic focus, passion, and assumption. I say this as someone who has certainly lived it and wants to help you avoid making the same mistake. Today on Shift Break we will be talking about how you can approach training in a way that lessens or avoids entirely the things where you are perceived as a jerk, in favor of being seen as an advocate and resource for success. It can be done! Related episodes: SHIFT BREAK! How Long Should it Take To Train a Barista? You Need to Prioritize In-House Training! 331 : The 7 Deadly Sins of my Career 074 : The Life Changing Power of Good Authority w/ Jonathan Raymond 067 : 6 Truths About Power : The Responsible Approach to Power Dynamics in the Cafe 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 [email protected] 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

I feel as though this question is constantly on the mind of owners. It is a question born from a desire to have a well trained staff that makes the quality of the work more consistently great, as well as a desire to be an effective trainer and have the staff "get it" quickly. Throw in a little bit of owner insecurity as they are learning all this stuff themselves too, and you get a recipe for miscommunication, assumption, and frustration that seems to be in the background of the question. Trouble is we often will default to assuming that the manor and amount of training we are doing is surely not the issue, and instead the issue lies with the staff. Truth is a little less straight forward. Today on Shift Break we will be talking about how long you should expect to train staff, and how to know that you have truly put in a good and appropriate amount of planning, structure, and effort before seeking to address the one being trained. Related episodes: Insecurity in Management SHIFT BREAK: Evil Owners and Lazy Baristas 330 : Establishing Systems in Your Coffee Shop 506 : Critical Workflows Every Coffee Shop Needs 496: Hard Decisions and High Standards 235 : 4 Tips for Training your Staff 339 : What Good Barista Training Produces SHIFT BREAK: Respecting Your Barista's Professional Boundaries Reasonable Expectations 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 [email protected] 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

Creating a cafe space is about finding a fitting home for the equipment and people behind the counter who will use it. It is about finding a synthesis, a flow, and a feeling that is functional and remarkable all at once. The life of the business is either helped or hampered by the decisions we make in designing the space. In the many choices and acts of creation we engage in, both in opening, and then in tending to our shops, we bring forth something unique for us and our guests to partake in. Today's guest has designed some of the most unique spaces and coffee shops and is here to share his wisdom! Scott Magic is an award-winning and published architect whose principles lie in strong detailing, room making and using materials to bridge the past with present. While primarily working in the Hospitality and Beverage sector, his expertise includes retail, office spaces, historic renovations, adaptive reuse projects and unique single-family homes. Prior to founding MAGIC, he helped grow the acclaimed architecture firm, Michael Hsu Office of Architecture and the worked for architect-developer Jonathan Segal. Scott holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Oregon. His Austin-based firm is purposely kept small, to maintain quality and engagement in all aspects of the work. The firm's current projects are scattered throughout Texas, California and the Saudi Arabia. He has designed many amazing cafe spaces including the groundbreaking, Meteor Cafe, Fox Trot, Intelligentsia Austin, and Proud Mary Portland, Congress In this episode you will learn about: The Journey into Architecture Understanding Coffee Shop Functionality How flow and layout impact customer experience. Designing Unique and Memorable Spaces How lighting plays a crucial role in the ambiance of a coffee shop. The Importance of Human Connection in Design Creating Iconic Spaces with Intentionality Future Trends in Coffee Shop Design Links: www.scottmagic.com Related episodes: 367 : Designing Your Coffee Shop for Community w/ Dr. Lisa Waxman 169 : Designing the Guest Experience w/ Dr. Lisa Waxman 448: Founder Friday! Part 1 "Switching Gears" | w/ Doug Zell of Intelligentsia and The Meteor! 448: Founder Friday! Part 2 "Switching Gears" | w/ Doug Zell of Intelligentsia and The Meteor! 240 : What to do before your Build your Bar Embrace Your Space SHIFT BREAK : 2 Tips for Bar Design Want a beautiful coffee shop? All your hard surface, stone, and brick needs! www.arto.com 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!

One of the beautiful things about working in coffee today is the connectivity that is available to players in the value stream. Those who want to make the biggest difference, both use and innovate better versions of these various avenues for connection to build trusting and generous relationships that bring thriving and understanding. Today's guest live and breaths this mission. I am so honored to welcome to the show, Beamlak Bekele! Beamlak has experience working as a Green Coffee Export Manager, Logistics and Documentation Supervisor, and Coffee Quality Control Specialist. She is the 2nd-place national barista champion, and currently working as the project coordinator for IWCA Ethiopia. Being raised in a family that has worked in the Ethiopian Coffee industry for decades, Beamlak is interested in learning how to bring origin country perspectives to international coffee dialogues and how to design gender-inclusive and sustainable operational systems in coffee businesses. Beamlak has also just returned from a tour in the United States after participating in the Cxffee Black barista exchange progam and being a guest at Nossa Familia In this conversation we explore her upbringing in coffee, career, perspectives on trade, and the importance of better systems and trust in coffee relationships. You will learn about: Family Legacy in Coffee Production Education and Its Impact on Coffee Understanding Transitioning into Professional Coffee Roles Ethics in Coffee Trade and Farmer Benefits Empowering Women in the Coffee Industry Building Sustainable Relationships in Coffee Trade Ethiopian Coffee's Unique Value Proposition Connecting Trade and Consumer Experience The Role of Baristas in Coffee Culture Transforming Consumer Perceptions of Coffee Community and Collaboration in the Coffee Industry Links: Beamlak on IG @HUMANS_OF_COFFEE Related episodes: 488: Founder Friday! Honoring Coffee's Root w/ Bartholomew Jones of Cxffee Black! 451: Business Growth, Integrity, and Coffee Farmer Equity w/ Martin Mayorga of Mayorga Coffee 397: Diversity and The Color of Coffee w/ Keith Hawkins, The Color of Coffee Collective 413 : Coffee Education and Training at Origin w/ Fabiola Solano of Soy Barista 335: A Better Business Model for Coffee Farmers w/ Thaleon Tremain of Pachamama Coffee 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 Want a beautiful coffee shop? All your hard surface, stone, and brick needs! www.arto.com Follow on Instagram! @Artobrick .... and tell them Chris sent you!

It's Founder Friday! I am so thrilled to feature people who have become friends through getting to know them at coffee vents over the years. They have launched their own coffee house and made something as unique as they are themselves. Nicolas and Krystal Tanaka are siblings and the proud owners of Kohiko Coffee House, located in Sugar Land, Texas. They've combined their unique backgrounds and extensive experience in the coffee and food & beverage industries to create a space that brings quality coffee and Japanese hospitality to the Houston community. Nic, the visionary behind Kohiko, shared his passion and vision for the coffee house after his first trip to Japan. He had already begun his journey as a barista in a specialty coffee shop in Sugar Land. He approached Krystal with the idea during her time pursuing her MBA, which led to them working together on an entrepreneurial project in her final semester. This is where they saw that their passions and strengths complemented each other. As Peruvian and Japanese Americans, they felt particularly connected to bringing something unique and special to Sugar Land. They honed in on the idea of bringing quality coffee with Japanese hospitality to Houston. After Nic became a two-time Coffee Fest World Latte Art Champion and Krystal graduated from her program, they chose to pursue this endeavor together. Their family has always inspired and motivated their journey. Their grandfather, Roy Tanaka, an entrepreneur who instilled Japanese values and compassion, played a key role in shaping their vision. Their youngest brother, Kenji, continues to inspire them as he makes a name for himself in the coffee world. They are grateful for their community who helped motivate and encourage them to turn their dream into a reality! Today we are exploring their story in 2 parts. First we talk with them on their first day being open. Next we catch up with Nic and Krystal after five months of operation. These conversations presented back-to-back give us deep insight into the values, vision, plans, and life of the business from conception to full open and growing. I love the whole Tanka family and after you listen to today's episode I think you will too! Enjoy! We discuss: The journey to deciding to open a shop The Challenges of Being Your Own General Contractor Embracing Japanese Hospitality and Quality The Importance of Transparency and Openness in Service Building a Positive Work Environment through Communication Exceeding Expectations on the First Day Navigating Personal and Professional Life The Impact of Viral Success Adapting to Demand and Building a Team Why transparency and openness are key aspects of service Scaling Operations: The Ice Dilemma Strategic Growth: Balancing Innovation and Stability Resilience in Entrepreneurship: Staying Grounded Links: www.kohikocoffeehouse.com Instagram: @kohikocoffeehouse Related and Recommended Episodes: 396 : Founder Friday: Before + After Edition! w/ Jonathan Pascual of the Newly Opened Opo Coffee. Founder Friday! w/ Adam Obrátil of Industra Coffee, Brno, Czech Republic' 150 : Founder Friday w/ Kyle Wells of Torpedo Coffee, Denver, CO : Before & After Episode 489: Tips for Creating a Resilient Cafe 240 : What to do before your Build your Bar 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 Want a beautiful coffee shop? All your hard surface, stone, and brick needs! www.arto.com Follow on Instagram! @Artobrick .... and tell them Chris sent you!

Did you know that, in spite of all the work you do for others, the sacrifices you make to run your business and do what you can for your staff, plus the positive impact on your community, the you are ACTUALLY evil and/or complicit in the demise of coffee and the people in coffee? Well, if you listen to the conversations, articles, and headlines being created about you by people who don't know you and the details and nuances of the work you do, you'd be tempted to take on that accusation and guilt as statement of fact and forget about the good work and proof to the contrary in a bid to chase social standing among people whose job it is to find fault above all else. Not a great idea. Today on Shift Break we will be talking about why it is critical that you choose to participate in and give energy to the right conversations so we can create virtuous cycles instead of downward spirals. I am thankful for you all and the good you do for people through coffee everyday! Related episodes: Faithfulness and Honesty SHIFT BREAK: Minding Our Business Thankfulness and Giving Energy to the Positive Your Peers are not Your Customers Priorities and Deep Thankfulness 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 [email protected] 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

Coffee brings people together for all sorts of reasons. One of the beautiful ways coffee is used is as a vehicle for change in areas of our world that desperately need it. Nowhere is change more needed than in the realm of human trafficking and exploitation. I am thrilled to talk with a couple of professionals on the front lines of this fight. We are talking with Jenny Barber and Jake Jiron of Talitha Coffee Roasters! Jenny Barber, Cofounder of Talitha Coffee Roaster has spent the past 14 years becoming an expert on the topic of Human Trafficking. Determined to make a positive difference after witnessing the devastating, intergenerational impact of the issue from a young age Jenny founded Talitha Coffee Roasters. Their mission is to end Human trafficking and support survivors, one sip at a time. They do this By creating job opportunities, providing support for survivors of human trafficking, and partnering with experts as well as individuals and organizations seeking to benefit others. Jenny herself is a survivor of childhood exploitation. Today, she's a mother of 6, college graduate, business and non-profit leader, and tireless advocate. Jake Jiron, originally from Bakersfield, CA, began his journey in specialty coffee in 2016 after graduating from San Diego State University. Starting as a farmer's market pop-up coordinator, he quickly expanded his roles to include admin tasks, invoicing, delivery driving, and ultimately transitioned into sales. Over the past seven years, Jake's focus has been on selling coffee and managing wholesale customers, turning his passion into a dedicated career. Inspired by the mission and vision of the company, he knew he wanted to be part of something bigger that made a tangible difference in people's lives. Believing he could use his skills to support those in need of employment and opportunity, he made the decision to join Talitha Coffee. In this conversation we discuss: Building a Business with Purpose: The Talitha Model Creating Employment Opportunities for Survivors The Importance of Quality in Coffee and Mission Alignment Navigating Relationships with Wholesale Accounts Training and Supporting Survivors in the Workplace Empowering Survivors Through Care Plans Onboarding and Workforce Readiness Celebrating Growth and Skills Development Fostering Long-Term Relationships Partnerships for Impact and Support Links: www.talitha.com Instagram: @talithacoffeeroasters Related episodes: 106 : Changing Lives Through Coffee w/ Pamela Chng of Bettr Barista Founder Friday! Youth, Foster Care, and Human Connections Through Coffee | w/ Miah Sommer of Astute Coffee in Omaha, NE 334 : How to Approach Deescalation w/ Melissa Tucker of Mind Over Matters and Pathways to Peace 180 : A Conversation with Rugid Grind Founders, Brian Washington and Averett Barksdale 192 : Freedom through Coffee w/ Esther Hope-Gibbs of Manumit Coffee 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 Want a beautiful coffee shop? All your hard surface, stone, and brick needs! www.arto.com Follow on Instagram! @Artobrick .... and tell them Chris sent you!

Ah the age old debate. Should you hire someone who is experienced working in coffee? On onhand they have skills that may be helpful and on the other they might have bad habits you need to address. Or should you hire someone without experience? Their first exposure to coffee will be at your shop and you get to train them up on your standards from the start. At the same time they ma take longer to train and could experience bore inertia getting used to the work a coffee shop requires Today on Shift Break we will be talking all about how to decide between potential employees with varied experience backgrounds so you have the best chance of hiring the right person for the role. Related episodes: SHIFT BREAK: Minding Our Business SHIFT BREAK: Hiring based on Staff Preference vs Business Needs SHIFT BREAK: Wrong Fit For the Role, or Wrong Fit For Your Business? Raising Your Hiring Standard 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 [email protected] 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 think about the things that make the biggest difference in culture, hospitality experience, staff morale and the profitability of your coffee shop, you would be forgiven for being overwhelmed. There are so many moving parts in food and beverage operations it's hard to know what lever to pull to make a difference. Well the good news is that, according to today's guest, when you apply focus and systems to the most critical 30% of those areas that make up you cafe, you will transform the business and go from striving, to thriving! I am very pleased to welcome to the show, Preston Lee of The 30% Rule! With over 20 years in the business and being a part of 25 restaurant openings, Preston is on a mission to help independent restaurant owners gain the knowledge and best practices on how to best train, lead, and nurture their staff to build a robust culture. Ultimately leading to the highest level of consistency and customer retention. Today we talk with Preston all about how some hard lessons learned early on in his carrier shaped him and what he does now to help hospitality businesses with their culture, sales, training, and quality. This is a really motivating talk that I hope focuses you on the right areas to make the biggest difference in your coffee shop. In this conversation we layout the plan for: The Importance of Training and Development Systems and Structure in Hospitality Setting Expectations and Accountability The Importance of Systems for Job Security Focusing on the 30% That Matters Expectations for Turning Around Operations Training as the Key to Change Links: Instagram: @the30rule Instagram: @the_30_rule www.the30percentrule.com Related episodes: 330 : Establishing Systems in Your Coffee Shop 430 : Embracing "Unreasonable Hospitality" w/ Will Guidara | Thank You NYC + The Welcome Conference 453 : The Craft of Operations 339 : What Good Barista Training Produces 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 Want a beautiful coffee shop? All your hard surface, stone, and brick needs! www.arto.com Follow on Instagram! @Artobrick .... and tell them Chris sent you!

In recent weeks Starbucks has announced it will no longer charge for plant-base alternative milks. This comes after efforts from activists claiming discrimination. Starbucks aside, the conversation about up-charging for alt milk has been going on for a while now with people who feel strongly on either side of the topic. Today on Shift Break we will be talking about whether or not you should be charging for alternative plant based milk options, how to approach this from a practical business perspective, why it's not a great idea to be so obsessed with what major retailers do, and how not to be bullied or guilted into conforming but rather make sound decisions. Related episodes: 184 : Making Great Business Decisions w/ Dave Stachowiak 181 : Organizational Self-Knowledge 223 : Building a Financially Resilient Business w/ Andrew Carroll 136 : Nourishing the Barista's Soul: A conversation w/ Deb Kaminski of Pacific Natural Foods 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 [email protected] 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 way customers and staff experience our cafes is based many experiences and moments taken together to form what they know as our culture or brand. Each experience can be broken down into many different parts that happen within even one visit and the smart operator knows that unless there is a plan set up ahead of time for how we want those moments to go, then we will provide less than stellar service. The customer loses out on experiencing our best, and we lose out on keeping good customers and good staff. Today we are going to be talking about a few critical workflows I believe every coffee bar needs to have detailed nd trained on in order to serve people very well every day. Take this episode as an assignment and go create these for your shop as soon as you can! Include the staff and launch these as guiding processes so your coffee shop will thrive. In this conversation we layout the plan for: Menu Workflows Change workflows Customer Experience workflows Related episodes: 399: Encore Episode! How to Change Things in the Cafe 307 : 10 Simple ways to Level Up your Coffee Shop 291 : What to do if Your Baristas Wont Listen to You 191 : Retraining your Staff on new Standards 424: Developing Menu and Hospitality Guides 421: Encore Episode: Simple, Powerful, Hospitality w/ Philip Paul Turner 058 : Holiday Hospitality 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 Want a beautiful coffee shop? All your hard surface, stone, and brick needs! www.arto.com Follow on Instagram! @Artobrick .... and tell them Chris sent you!

Training your staff is easily one of the most important things to get right if you want to set them up for success and make sure your customers are getting a great experience every time. Every place has their own way of doing training and most of it is cobbled together from different sources in a desperate bid for a positive outcome. The result if all to often a staff that is under prepared, frustrated leadership, and guest experiences inconsistent standards. Today on Shift Break we will be talking about the absolute best way that every coffee bar should be training their staff in order to bring provide excellence day in, and day out. I know that seems like a big statement. All coffee shops? Yes, I truly believe and have seen time and again, that if you apply this approach in your shop you will see a real and substantial improvement in morale, consistency, and quality Related episodes: 235 : 4 Tips for Training your Staff 296: Holistic Barista Training w/ David Castillo of Go Get Em Tiger , Los Angeles 301 : Hiring and Training for Excellence 339 : What Good Barista Training Produces 191 : Retraining your Staff on new Standards 178 : Training Masterclass w/ Emma Haines of London School of Coffee and Caffeina Consulting 130 : Anne Nylander | Training Principles for Specialty Coffee Professionals SHIFT BREAK: Detail Oriented Staff Starts With You You Need to Prioritize In-House Training! 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 [email protected] 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

Innovation and an obsession with what is "new" has long been a primary force capturing the imagination of coffee pros and entrepreneurs. Trouble is that the novel and new, while it may be good at grabbing or capturing attention, is not great at keeping and sustaining us, or our businesses for that matter. In fact, innovation and constantly looking for something have the opposite effect than what it seems to promise. Enter the idea of maintenance over innovation and everyday excellence. I recently came across a post from today's guest on linkedIn detailing his thoughts on this and I knew immediately we needed to bring him back on the show to talk this out! I am thrilled to welcome back to the show Maxwell Colonna- Dashwood! This will be a very conversation that will illuminate the path that I believe all of us need to be walking in the coffee shop space. As always, Maxwell's keen insights serve as a guide and a resource to better shops and better coffee. In this conversation we discuss: Innovation vs. Maintenance in Coffee The Importance of Hospitality in Coffee Shops Understanding the Value of Consistency Important Shifts in Innovation Perspectives The Role of Personal Identity in Coffee Innovation Why we need to focus on the fundamentals in coffee shops Navigating Staff Dynamics + Customer Experience Balancing Innovation and Consistency in Coffee Shops Customer Engagement in Hospitality Long-Term Vision in Coffee Shop Operations Links: www.maxwelldashwood.com @mcolonnadashwood Related episodes: 339 : What Good Barista Training Produces SHIFT BREAK: Defining Excellence and Success SHIFT BREAK: Pull Out The Fridge 480: Focus on What Your Customers Love Three Questions for Better Cafe Decisions SHIFT BREAK: Don't Focus on Coffee 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 Want a beautiful coffee shop? All your hard surface, stone, and brick needs! www.arto.com Follow on Instagram! @Artobrick .... and tell them Chris sent you!

Today on Founder Friday we go to Azerbaijan to talk with the founder of a coffee shop and roastery that is at the heart of the national specialty coffee movement, Parvix Dadashov, of Untied Coffee Beans! Parviz is Founder and CEO of United Coffee Beans project, a trailblazing coffee business in the realm of specialty coffee in Azerbaijan. Parviz graduated from Tourism and Management University and has accumulated invaluable experience in the dynamic Food & Beverage sector. As a visionary entrepreneur, his journey with United Coffee Beans began in April 2017, where he set out to redefine coffee experiences in Azerbaijan. United Coffee Beans is a community, an experience, and a journey. The business revolves around the meticulous import, roasting, and distribution of specialty coffee beans in Azerbaijan. As pioneers of the Third Wave Coffee Movement in Azerbaijan, they are committed to delivering freshly roasted specialty coffee that consistently delights the senses. They do coffee equipment distribution, importing top-tier products for our local market. AND they run United Coffee Academy where they share knowledge and expertise, contributing to the growth of the local industry and fostering the skills of aspiring baristas. This was a really cool conversation hearing his evolution in the world of hospitality and how he built this business to create community and unite people through coffee! We cover Parviz's journey into coffee from a summer job and evolution through tourism and hospitality Founding United Coffee Beans to introduce specialty coffee to Azerbaijan. Overcoming skepticism due to his country's strong tea culture. Education and community engagement as keys to building a coffee culture. Creating a welcoming environment for customer experience. The importance of storytelling in coffee. Bridging tradition and innovation in coffee culture. The potential of the coffee community of Azerbaijan Links: Instagram: @unitedcoffeebeans Website: https://www.ucb.az/az Related Episodes: 434 : Founder Friday | Leo Ferreira | Puzzle Coffee Shop, Tanzania! 364 Founder Friday w/ Sarah Alakeel of Hjeen Coffee in Saudi Arabia 332: Founder Friday! w/ Iman Kusumaputra & Putri Yulandari of Kopikalyan, Jakarta, Indonesia 171 : Founder Friday w/ Matt Chitharanjan and Namrata Asthana of Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters in India

Coffee is great! Keeping it consistently great in the shop is a challenge and there are many tactics and tools to apply in learning more about coffee and applying what we learn in the shop. But what happens when we allow our pursuit of more coffee knowledge become a distraction from focusing on needed areas of improvement and maintenance in the cafe? Today on Shift Break we will be talking about how our focus on coffee, while needed to a degree, can become an escape from confronting, focusing on, and growing in other very important areas of the business and the relationship with people we manage in the shop. Stay tuned for a new episode next week with returning guest Maxwell Dashwood talking about the need for maintenance of excellence in contrast to our pursuit of innovation and novelty. Related episodes: SHIFT BREAK : Trends You Can Ignore 502: Creating Meaningful Coffee Experiences 469: Unremarkable Hospitality and Cafe Terroir SHIFT BREAK: Reassessing Growth 390 : 7 Ways to be Consciously Competitive 275 : The Changing Landscape of Cafe Spaces w/ Dr. Jennifer Ferreira 421: Encore Episode: Simple, Powerful, Hospitality w/ Philip Paul Turner 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 [email protected] 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 coffee industry, specifically the coffee shop, has been changing. Trends and fads come and go, but movements are born from a collective need to evolve and mature toward a better way of operating professionally. It is not the trends that you need to worry about not getting in line with, but the movements. Today we will be covering five areas that have been changing in the coffee shop sector that I believe every owner and operator needs to embrace. These areas cover a virtually all corners of your business from the coffee itself, to the people making it, and how you lead and grow as a leader. In this conversation we discuss: Embracing the Five Movements in Coffee Prioritizing Hospitality in Coffee Shops Building Social Identity and Online Presence Creating Accessible Coffee Products Focusing on Customer Success Reforming Leadership in the Coffee Industry Related episodes: 502: Creating Meaningful Coffee Experiences 430 : Embracing "Unreasonable Hospitality" w/ Will Guidara | Thank You NYC + The Welcome Conference Building an Accessible Coffee Menu w/ Joe Marrocco 6 Truths About Power 069: Hosting Consumer Coffee Classes 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 Want a beautiful coffee shop? All your hard surface, stone, and brick needs! www.arto.com Follow on Instagram! @Artobrick .... and tell them Chris sent you!

So many great ideas come from conversations, trade shows, podcasts, books, and videos. Ideas and epiphanies that will make your coffee shop better and solve problems that have plagued you and your team for too long. But how do you take the first step to apply those ideas why you feel you don't have the time. On today's episode of Shift Break we will answer frequent question I get asked when I am speaking at a conferences and with clients, how do I find the time to do these things when I am already as busy as I am? Good news, it is simpler than you think. Related Episodes: 399: Encore Episode! How to Change Things in the Cafe 489: Tips for Creating a Resilient Cafe 498: 10 Small Things to Fix in Your Coffee Shop This Week SHIFT BREAK : Evolution Through Small Steps 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 [email protected] 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

We all say that guest experience is the most important thing. I would agree, but exactly what do we mean by this? In today's marketplace we are hyper focused on efficiency over effectiveness. The result is that what passes for what we believe makes a great coffee experience, is something unsustainable, ineffective, but flashy and largely based on a trend instead of truly fulfilling the core needs of a customer in our coffee shop. Today we will be discussing what a truly meaningful guest experience needs to get right before skipping to the bells and whistles that are poor replacements for the basics done well. In this conversation we discuss: Customer desire for something that can fit into the fabric of their lives. Why the word 'experience' can mean many things, often leading to confusion. Meeting baseline expectations is crucial for customer satisfaction. Innovation and focusing on people, not just technology. How trust is built through consistent service and quality. Basic beverages should be executed with excellence. Hyper branding does not compensate for poor service. Unique experiences should come after mastering the basics. Customer experience is about hospitality and care. Why doing basics well transforms businesses Related episodes: 430 : Embracing "Unreasonable Hospitality" w/ Will Guidara | Thank You NYC + The Welcome Conference 489: Tips for Creating a Resilient Cafe 045 : Simple, Powerful Hospitality w/ Philip Turner 424: Developing Menu and Hospitality Guides 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 Want a beautiful coffee shop? All your hard surface, stone, and brick needs! www.arto.com

Every coffee shop hosts within its walls countless stories. The life that happens on the pltform of a cafe is just breath taking. This includes stories that showcase you and your team's values in action. Wil Guidara talks about these as legends that embody the and illustrate what we are all about. Be this as it may, stories somehow do not take up very much, if any, time or attention when we onboard, train, and talk about the work with our staff On today's episode of Shift Break we will be talking about why you need to be paying attention to the moments in your cafe that demonstrate the real life applications of the t and values you espouse. Doing this as a discipline and rhythm will both deepen your appreciation for what your cafe creates in the lives of others and make it more likely those stories continue to unfold well into your shop's future. Related Episodes: Your Employee Handbook is Worthless 165: The Art of Deep Listening w/ Oscar Trimboli 181 : Organizational Self-Knowledge 476: Founder Friday! The Story of Story Coffee w/ Don Niemyer of Story Coffee Co. 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 [email protected] 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

Translating coffee from one form to the next, and serving it in a way that further translates the value of that coffee into a rewarding experience for the drinker, is what the craft of coffee is all about. Today's guest has gone from translating languages to working full time in roasting and serving coffee and has some critically important insights to share from her journey. We are talking with 2024 Brewers Cup Champion from Turkey, Nida Fetullahoğlu ! Nida has been in the coffee industry since 2017. From Ankara, Turkey, Nida had a different career before coffee where she studied english translation and interpreting in college and has translated 4 books into Turkish on different subjects. Nida started as a barista in a boutique coffee shop in Ankara and fell in love with it thanks to the people she met along her career. She has been roasting since 2020 and is currently working in Tetra N Roastery as a junior roaster. This year (2024) Nida became the Brewers' Cup Champion of Turkey this year and placed 18th in the world championship! In this conversation we discuss: From Barista to Roaster and gaining deeper understanding The Challenges of Roasting and Retail Navigating Criticism and Building Resilience The Role of Teamwork in Competition Success Integrating Experience into Competition Routines Future Focus: Sustainability and Team Building in Coffee Bridging Traditional and Specialty Coffee Cultures together The Art of Translation in Coffee and Communication Related episodes: 003: The Role of Mentorship in Specialty Coffee w/ Pete Licata 484: Demystifying Mentorship w/ Dr. Ruth Gotian, Author of "The Financial Times guide to Mentorship 382 : Hospitality, Innovation, and the Birth of a Brewer w/ Etkin Design Co-founders, Michael Butterworth and Özgür Jerdan. SPECIAL! | Coffee Fest NOLA 2024 w/ Turgay Yildizli of Specialty Turkish Coffee, Doron Petersan of Sticky Fingers Sweets and Eats, and Jonathan Riethmaier of Mammoth Coffee 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 Want a beautiful coffee shop? All your hard surface, stone, and brick needs! www.arto.com

The allure of easily producing documents and processes for your coffee shop through AI is strong. Using tools to support your business in a thoughtful way is one thing, but too many times I hear about people all but completely outsourcing the task that should be taken on by those who can create with nuance, to software. On today's episode of Shift Break we will talk about what we lose when we use these to-good-to-be-true "solutions" and why the difficulty of creating effective systems, policies, and structures are a necessary part of growing a sustainable people-first business. Related Episodes: SHIFT BREAK: When Numbers Lie SHIFT BREAK: Quality Still Matters The Myth of Hands Off / Automated Leadership You Can't Automate Quality 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 [email protected] 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 impact of the coffee shop on the entire industry is astounding. The beauty and transcendence of a well run cafe offers excellence and care to staff and guests alike, and provides an accurate reflection and consistent channel through which people get to experience the work of farmers and all hands in the value stream. It is this idea, that the cafe is hugely consequential element in the thriving of people in coffee, that drive this podcast. On today's episode we are reflecting on the podcasts last few years leading up to main episode 500 (actual count of all episodes is 900+!) and giving some insight and guidance into the role of cafe, how leaders need to pursue growth, and what it looks like to develop a business with integrity and relationships at the core. Designing, planting, and cultivating a great cafe is a craft in and of itself. KTTS is here to help you along the way as you learn and grow with it. Thank you for your support!!! Related episodes: 100! Why YOU are the Key 483: Encore: 6 Essential Qualities of Coffee Shop Leaders 485: Your Shop vs The Industry - How to Free Yourself From Dependency SHIFT BREAK : Trends You Can Ignore 067 : 6 Truths About Power : The Responsible Approach to Power Dynamics in the Cafe All your hard surface needs! Masters of brick, tile, and stonework for your cafe! https://www.arto.com/ https://www.instagram.com/artobrick/ 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

Today on Founder Friday are exploring the story of Three Keys Coffee in a wonderful conversation with the founders, Kenzel and Tio Fallen! Kenzel Fallen is Co-Founder and CEO of Three Keys Coffee. Originally from Cincinnati, OH, Kenzel received a BA in Economics from Duke University and an MBA in Finance from Rice University. After building a career as a management consultant and corporate risk manager within the banking and energy industries, she co-founded Three Keys Coffee in 2019 along with her husband, Tio Fallen. Kenzel is a Q-Arabica Grader and wears many hats for Three Keys, primarily focused on business & financial operations as well as strategic planning and growth initiatives. Tio Fallen is Co-Founder and Director of Coffee for Three Keys Coffee. Originally from Decatur GA, Tio has a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Florida A&M University and MS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. While working as an engineer in the energy industry, he began roasting coffee at home which soon expanded into a commercial venture that he started with his wife, Kenzel. His background in playing the trumpet for 15+ years influenced the branding and name of Three Keys, an homage to the valves of the instrument he picked up at the age of 8. He is a licensed Q-Arabica Grader and a licensed Professional Engineer (PE). Tio placed 9th overall in the 2023 US Roaster Championship Finals and 5th overall in the 2024 Finals. Three Keys offers a more approachable and inclusive coffee experience through the sights and sounds of jazz culture, while remaining steadfastly committed to creating products that represent excellence and superior quality. They are also focused on providing professional development opportunities for their staff and have recently opened up their first brick and mortar store, taking another step into caring for their coffee, and local community. You are in for a treat! We cover The Convergence of Life Stories From Side Gig to Full-Time Passion Elevating the Familiar: The Story of Three Keys Coffee Balancing Science and Creativity in Roasting Receiving Feedback and Staying True to Vision Creating Range and Accessibility Transforming Employment and Developing Thought Leaders Nurturing Growth and Aspirations Building a Local Presence through a Cafe The Power of Authenticity in Business Maximizing Energy Links: www.threekeyscoffee.com https://www.instagram.com/threekeyscoffee/ Related Episodes: 423 : Founder Friday! w/ Danny and Michelle Quiroz of Reserva Coffee Roasters | McAllen, TX 310 : Founder Friday w/ Jelynn Malone and Beverly Magtanong of Mostra Coffee 156 : Founder Friday w/ Lauren Crabbe, Co-Founder of Andytown Coffee Roasters, San Fransisco The world loves plant based beverages and baristas love the Barista Series! www.pacificfoodservice.com

Workflow on the coffee bar is one of the most important things to design when considering how we will deliver excellent service and quality to our customers. Not only is it important to design your menu first and make the café design prioritize the production of that menu but you must also create clarity of responsibility within each station of that bar. On today's episode of Shift Break, we will be talking about some principles for setting up effective station responsibilities behind the bar so that your staff not only have the have the best chance of success in serving the customer but also in helping on another during service. Related Episodes: SHIFT BREAK: Wrong Fit For the Role, or Wrong Fit For Your Business? 420: Design Meaningful Roles in the Cafe Leaner Teams, Better Results 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 [email protected] 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

Small things make a big difference in the coffee shop. Trouble is, that we tend to procrastinate addressing the natural falling away of doing small things well as we get busier, and those little actions and habits that create excellence end up atrophying causing big problems that are almost untraceable back to their small source. On today's episode I am going to be giving you 1 small things to challenge yourself to fix in 7 days. That's right, one week to fix of begin the process of fixing 10 things that, when taken care of will help customers love your business more, or when not cared for will sow seeds of doubt and resentment in your customer's minds. Will you and your team take on the 10 things in 7 days challenge? If you do I want to hear from you. How did it go? What kinds of positive change did it create? I'd love to shout out you and your cafe on the show. Have fun and don't forget to listen to the below related episodes as well. Related episodes: 307 : 10 Simple ways to Level Up your Coffee Shop 399: Encore Episode! How to Change Things in the Cafe 191 : Retraining your Staff on new Standards 406 : Five Ways to Immediately Improve Your Coffee Quality The Counterbalanced Barista SHIFT BREAK : Evolution Through Small Steps 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

We all work hard and face challenges in the cafe. The way we interpret the effort put in to the work of running a coffee shop will determine both the quality of the shop and our own ability to sustain our energy and effort. The truth is consistent effort is a normal and necessary investment that keeps life flowing through the business. On today's addition of shift break we are going to follow up on our previous episode from a couple years back and add more detail and perspectives.The goal is to help clarify the difference between dysfunction and needed effort and how leaders and employees alike can embrace this work to better themselves and the shop to provide the next level of experience for the customer. This all ultimately helps the whole supply chain as we become resilient and energized to give consistent excellence in our coffee shops. Related episodes: Hard Work is Hard When Patience is not a Virtue In Praise of Long Term Imperfect Employment 355: Baristas! 6 Essential Qualities to Get Yourself Hired 031 : Essential Advice for New Baristas : Tips to help you successfully navigate and thrive in your new coffee career Long-game Management Reasonable Expectations 135 : Stay Motivated in the midst of Difficulty 067 : 6 Truths About Power : The Responsible Approach to Power Dynamics in the Cafe 253 : Mindsets that Sabotage Success 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 [email protected] 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 first place you're going to see burn out in the coffee bar is in the position of management. These lucky people are not only given the task to lead the team and serve them with their role, but they are also accountable to their bosses, creating a feeling of being caught between two different groups that they have to please in their work. Almost without fail I am asked by managers over email or at conferences some version of the same question related to being frustrated at the lack of action from their boss, or that their boss is taking actions that are frustrating to them and to the team. These folks want to figure out how to navigate these situations that can often be demoralizing and creates tension in the café. On today's episode, I am going to answer a few questions that have been sent to me that are related to this topic in hopes of creating some clarity and giving you some insights and next steps to take if you happen to find yourself in that place. Questions we address: How can a lead barista or shift lead effectively navigate a situation where an owner consistently undermines their authority? What strategies can help build trust between the owner and the staff?" What are some effective ways to communicate with an owner who is very particular about small details, to help them see the bigger picture and trust their team What are some constructive ways to address conflicts with an owner, especially when it feels like their approach is demotivating or causing unnecessary stress among the team? Related episodes: 141 : The 27 Challenges Managers Face w/ Bruce Tulgan 475: Essential Tools for Cafe Management 472: Why Technical Skill as a Leader is Not Enough w/ Jonathan Raymond, Refound, Author: Good Authority 067 : 6 Truths About Power : The Responsible Approach to Power Dynamics in the Cafe 373 : The Owner's Role: 5 Behaviors for Effectiveness 483: Encore: 6 Essential Qualities of Coffee Shop Leaders Study the Rules 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

Welcome to Part 2 of this special Coffee Fest live on the show floor episode! Interviews from Los Angeles 2024! Los Angeles was so amazing and we got to sit down with 4 amazing coffee professionals who were presenting at this show. Today we will be focusing on improving your coffee and training skills with two experts! Anna Gutierrez and Sandra Elisa Loofbourow! Anna Gutierrez Beginning her coffee career in 1997 as a barista, Anna currently manages the Barista 22 line of syrups, sauces and powders. Having extensive experience working with distributors and national coffee chains, she's an expert in product selection, marketing and branding, R + D of specialty coffee products, training and has a consistent passion for beverage development. Anna has presented at Coffee Fest shows since 2005, has been a certified United States Barista Championships and former Coffee Fest latte art judge, can be seen emceeing a variety of coffee events nationally and holds several Signature Drink Competition titles. She has also authored multiple coffee publication articles, is a Barista Guild of America member, is an SCA Level 1 Certified barista and was also co-featured on Barista Magazine's April, 2012 cover. Anna and got to talk on the show floor about barista basics. What has changed? What is the same? What is most effective? Anna is incredibly gifted and skilled in teaching so I know this will be a great value. Link: https://www.barista22.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annagutierrez/ Sandra Elisa Loofbourow Sandra Elisa Loofbourow is a certified Q Instructor through CQI, a seasoned green buyer, roaster, barista, and published author. She was a founding Director of The Crown: Royal Coffee Lab & Tasting Room, and am co-host of the bilingual podcast Cafetera Intelectual. Sandra is dedicated to creating a sustainable, ethical, and quality-focused coffee supply chain and offers numerous classes and workshops to help you learn to assess and describe coffee. At Coffee Fest she taught a class on expanding your coffee vocabulary and we got chat on the show floor all about how you can take steps to do that very thing in your coffee business. Links: https://www.sandraloofbourow.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandra-elisa-loofbourow-b8979333/ Related episodes: 048 : How to taste coffee w/ U.S. Cup Tasters Champion, Steve Cuevas! RoR #11 : Exploring Scent w/ Sandra Elisa Loofbourow 339 : What Good Barista Training Produces 313 : Coffee Education and Training w/ Michael Phillips of Blue Bottle Coffee Sponsor: www.coffeefest.com

Welcome to Part 1 of this special Coffee Fest live on the show floor episode! Interviews from Los Angeles 2024! Los Angeles was so amazing and we got to sit down with 4 amazing coffee professionals who were presenting at this show. Today we will be focusing on what amounts to a couple of mini-Founder Fridays with 2 cafe owners in the LA area providing ground breaking spaces and service! Shanita Nicholas While practicing law at the same law firm, Amanda-Jane Thomas and Shanita Nicholas became friends. Eventually, the two women also became business partners, their dreams and passions converging into the creation of Sip & Sonder. Shanita's law practice has focused on general corporate start-up and venture capital financing work. She holds a B.S. in chemical engineering from the Columbia School of Engineering and Applied Science and a J.D./M.B.A. from Columbia Law and Business Schools. She became a Certified Q Grader for Arabica Coffee summer 2023. Established in 2017 in Inglewood, CA, Sip & Sonder is a global Black women-owned coffee brand with a portfolio of coffeehouses, a coffee roastery, and digital content spaces. Link: www.sipandsonder.com Elisa Hoyos and Leo Abularch Picaresca Barra de Cafe opened its doors inside of a mini mall complex located on the far south corner of Boyle Heights right in the middle of the pandemic. Their journey began in an unlikely place, hidden, with no visibility and minimal foot traffic, but they managed to stay afloat. ' Today they occupy a larger space with a full kitchen and an off site roasting operation providing world class hospitality and service to their beautifully diverse neighborhood in Boyle Heights. Their coffee is truly some of the best in the city and I am thrilled to get to sit down with Leo and Elisa to talk about their journey. https://www.barrapicaresca.com/ Related episodes: 337: Founder Friday w/ Diana Martinez of Cafe Calle, Los Angeles 423 : Founder Friday! w/ Danny and Michelle Quiroz of Reserva Coffee Roasters | McAllen, TX 236 : Founder Friday! w/ Meil Castagna-Herrera & Curtis Herrera of Cafe Corazon! 348: Founder Friday! w/ Benito Burmudez of Cafe Unido, Panama City, Panama! 352: Music, Culture, and Coffee w/ Hip Hop Artist, Propaganda 488: Founder Friday! Honoring Coffee's Root w/ Bartholomew Jones of Cxffee Black! 338: A Conversation w/ Martell Mason of The Sepia Coffee Project, Detroit, Michigan 279 : Founder Friday! w/ Daniel Brown and Nephthaly Leonidas of Gilly Brew Bar Sponsor: www.coffeefest.com

We have to overcome many challenges in the day-to-day operations of the coffee shop. Some of these challenges are inevitable, and our ability to grow from our experiences with them is a mark of maturity that we can celebrate, but many challenges are unnecessary, and in celebrating our abilities to overcome them we unintentionally might be normalizing the dysfunction. On today's addition of shift break, we are going to be talking about why we should avoid celebrating wins that happened as a result of operational dysfunction or from toxic expectations and how to give our best energy to celebrating the functional and quickly addressing the dysfunctional. Related episodes: Stop Glorifying Chaos Introducing Chaos SHIFT BREAK: Respecting Your Barista's Professional Boundaries SHIFT BREAK: Don't Manage by Crisis SHIFT BREAK: You Don't Want Loyalty 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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

Much of what gets written regarding the reasons behind declining standards in the coffee shop focuses on the leadership and what they can do to facilitate success. Here at KTTS there are dozens of interviews and solo episodes dedicated to this very thing. But what does not get so much air time is the reality that if we are to see a rise in standards of leadership, we must also call for a rise in personal professional work standards from staff. Culpability for the miserable state of coffee service goes both ways and often it is the leaders avoidance of dealing with toxic employees that keeps them employed thus allowing their negative influence to sabotage the success of the business, the team, and, in fact, the whole industry whose reputation is built from the interactions consumers have with "professionals". Today on this solo episode we will be exploring the reasons why so many owners refuse to deal with toxic employees in the cafe in favor of a misguided notion of giving perpetual grace that is more enablement than kind gesture. We will also talk about what is needed if we are to make progress in the business of coffee shops. High standards are not just for owners and managers, they are for all and it is time we started creating environments that reward and recognize great work, while also not tolerating corrosive behavior and attitudes, be ti from leaders or employees. Related episodes: 331 : The 7 Deadly Sins of my Career 031 : Essential Advice for New Baristas : Tips to help you successfully navigate and thrive in your new coffee career 194 : Encore Episode! Leadership in the Cafe: 10 Steps to being a People First Leader | Aired January 17 2017 109 : Leadership Abandonment Syndrome : Lack of development in senior staff and what to do about it 472: Why Technical Skill as a Leader is Not Enough w/ Jonathan Raymond, Refound, Author: Good Authority 483: Encore: 6 Essential Qualities of Coffee Shop Leaders 368 : Walking the Line Between Leadership and Friendship Things the Owner Can't do for You SHIFT BREAK : Candid Advice for Baristas, Managers, and Owners SHIFT BREAK: How to Take Criticism as a Barista SHIFT BREAK: Evil Owners and Lazy Baristas 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

The things we learn in community with others can have a profound impact on both us and our businesses. Certainly learning by yourself is a good thing, but there's just something about having a group of people who have your back and have been where you are and are your peers that creates a different dynamic where you can have accountability encouragement insights and be challenged on your assumptions all in the same conversation. In short, it's transformational. Today in this brief recording I want to talk to you a little bit about the behind the Key Holder Coaching Groups that we launched last year how they work, and why joining us in these conversations in community might be the best thing for you as an owner to help you grow and gain clarity in the midst of an often chaotic and isolated existence. There is only one week left as of today's recording date of September 9, 2024 to sign up for the fall groups! You can find the link below that will take you to an application to fill out. From there we can have a conversation and you may just find yourself joining us in these dynamic conversations in the next six months. Click below to learn more or just reach out to [email protected] Key Holder Coaching Group Applications are Open! APPLY TODAY!

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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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