How to Work From the Coffee Shop

September 3rd, 2010

The decision to work at home can bring incredible freedom and flexibility for an online business owner. As often advertised you really can earn money online anywhere with your computer and an Internet connection. What is not often spoken of by business opportunity promoters is that it takes work and often more self-discipline than many would-be entrepreneurs are prepared for. Here are some tips on how to work from the coffee shop which may also be applicable to wherever you wish to run your online business.

Tip #1: Your favorite coffee shop may not be the best place to work on your online business! Think about it. If you are a frequent visitor to a local Starbucks or other popular gourmet coffee shop then there is a good chance you will run into someone you know. This may be a good thing if you are hoping to network with others but if you are needing to focus on your daily tasks then somewhere quieter is likely going to be more productive. Choose a low traffic coffee shop that still caters to all of your online business needs (see the other tips in this article).

Tip #2: Create a “work from the coffee shop kit.” This sounds painfully obvious but I have watched students and business people spend large portions of their coffee shop time borrowing or even running back home to get the tools they should have brought with them. Especially if you are going to regularly work away from your home then giving careful attention to putting together all the tools you may need. Your kit could include: your favorite coffee travel mug for environmental friendliness; your laptop (of course); a USB mouse if you don’t like using the mouse on your laptop or notebook; a headset; notebook and pen for when the computer battery runs low or just to jot down some quick notes; some facial tissues and cold remedies; and whatever is needed for you to connect to the Internet. You can often find laptop carry cases that are already equipped with a variety of accessories and you just need to add the personal items.

Tip #3: Choose a space that compensates for your work habit challenges. Many online business owners working from the coffee shop do not realize how much time they waste just from counterproductive work habits. For some this means sitting at a different table each session while others may need to seek the comfort of routine. If you are distracted by movement of people around you then choose a spot away from the doors and service counter. I personally work better sitting in a comfortable armchair with a coffee table for my laptop but you may be more productive with your online business activities sitting on a hard chair. If you are self-conscious about people you know seeing you conducting online business work from the coffee shop then you need to find a location you are comfortable with and feel inconspicuous or you might as well go back to work at home. Of course if you need an Internet connection then some times you may need to compromise on location to be online.

The freedom to work from the coffee shop or any place that is away from the traditional or home office is wonderful but to use the time productively can require some preparation, attention to location and personal work habits. Finding a good location for you to work on your online business may be an important ingredient for success.

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Eat Healthier and Drink Organic Coffee

September 3rd, 2010

In today’s world, environmental issues and the health of our families have become growing concerns. We have to take action to persevere our environment for future generations. At the same time, increasing health risks demand we have to ensure that our future generations are around to enjoy the environment we are working so hard to protect. Enter organic food products. Not only do our families receive the benefits of eating healthier foods, the farmers who grow organic crops cause indisputably less damage to the environment.

Certified Organic

During a routine visit to the grocery store you can find organic products on most of the shelves. From cereal to pastas, and all in between, more suppliers are providing organic alternatives for all of the food we commonly consume. With all of this new merchandise available, what assurance do consumers have that the suppliers are genuinely providing organic products? Look for products that are certified organic. The United States requires farmers to be certified by an accredited agency sanctioned by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Requirements for certification include farming without prohibited substances like synthetic pesticides.

Don’t Forget the Organic Coffee

When you are out shopping for healthy products, don’t forget organic coffee. Conventional coffee is sometimes processed with chemicals like methylene chloride, which has been found to be harmful for central nervous system and potentially carcinogenic, or ethyl acetate, which is possibly harmful to the central nervous system, liver, and kidneys. Organic coffee uses the SWISS WATER® process and is much safer and healthier for your family. Data from the Organic Trade association estimates that U.S. consumers purchased over $110 million worth of organic coffee products in 2006. It is also estimated that approximately 65 million pounds of organic coffee were imported in 2007 with a 33 percent annual growth rate. Data also shows that organic coffee’s global sales reached about 148 million pounds in 2006.

Organic coffee is grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. Organic farming also ensures that the products are free of genetically modified organisms, which ensures a safer, healthier organic coffee. Coffee product that contains 95 to 100 percent organic ingredients and were grown by certified organic farmers will feature the USDA organic seal. Peru is the top exporter of organic coffee, followed by Ethiopia, and Mexico but there are actually 40 different countries around the world that also export it. Organic coffee accounts for over two-thirds of all organic products produced in Mexico, proving to be the highest percent of land used to grow crops except for vanilla.

Since its establishment, Nectar of Life Coffee Co. has become representative of exceptional gourmet organic coffee. They are an extraordinary company that has remained firmly embedded in the principles of ecological and social responsibility. Nectar of Life chooses only the finest Arabica coffee beans from Fair Trade suppliers for the production of their organic coffees. Not only are they USDA and Fair Trade certified organic coffee roasters, they are also certified kosher. Fair Trade is a beneficial social movement that alleviates global poverty and promotes social sustainability, especially for developing countries seeking self-sufficiency.

Nectar of Life is certified in accordance to USDA Organic guidelines as well as a registered coffee roaster with the Vaad HaRabanim of Greater Seattle, Swiss Water, and TransfairUSA. They are committed to selling only the best and whenever possible, they purchase shade grown organic coffee beans. Shade grown, organic coffee beans not only produce a more robust flavor, they also assist in providing suitable habitation for birds. Bird Friendly certification is available through the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center for farmers who meet inspection and certification requirements.

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Impact of Internet connection on coffee shops

September 3rd, 2010

Since yesterday Nov 12, 2009 I was out looking for a coffee shop with internet connection because Globelines has a problem with their service. For more than 24 hours now, we still do not have internet connection in the office.

I went to my favorite Seattle’s Best in Ayala but unfortunately they do not have internet connection either. No wonder there were only few people sipping coffee last night. Then I tried my second favorite coffee shop, The Coffee Bean. The same problem I am facing.

In a place like Cebu, there are a lot of coffee shops and most often than not, businessmen are what you likely to see in there. Seldom, you will see students. Most of all, you will see people not just sipping hot or cold coffee but they are surfing the net. Personally I go to coffee shop for two reasons. One is to relax and second is to surf the net.

Because of the incident last night and today I realize how the internet connection impacted the coffee shops with regards to getting in customers. Customers wanted more than just coffee. If you have internet connection as your value added service you will surely have a lot customers compared to those who have no such service. One time I went to Figaro Coffee Shop but they do not have that service so I never go there again. Their coffee seemed sour when I sip it without surfing the net LOL

I love to have my own coffee shop in the near future so I have to put this service as my top on the list.

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Are You Considering a Coffee Vending Machine?

September 3rd, 2010

Thinking of an inexpensive, low-maintenance benefit to offer your employees? Then, why not try coffee vending machines? What’s more, they can even double up as an instant profit center for your business.

All You Need for Coffee Service

Coffee vending machines can dispense purely coffee, or a wide range of hot beverages, like hot chocolate, cappuccinos, assorted teas, espressos, and even soup and broths. With a single vending machine dispensing up to 1,000 single serve cups per day, you can offer a variety of drinks from top name brands to organic and gourmet blends.

All you need is a water line connection an outlet for electricity and you’ll be ready to offer coffee vending machines to employees. For equipment, you can have a coffee service vendor handle that. The coffee vendor will be the one to supply your office with a variety of hot beverages, brewing equipment, and even the services of technicians who will clean and maintain the equipment.

Why Coffee Vending Machines?

The two-fold benefit of coffee vending machines provides you with an excellent service that your employees will not only enjoy but also help them get motivated to do a better job. According to a 2006 study by the National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA), 79% of office employees with access to complimentary coffee and other hot beverages are more productive and feel more appreciated by their employers.

Add to that the fact that you can actually reduce down time and lost labor since instead of keeping long lines at coffee shops, your employees now have their own coffee vending machines right at the pantry or office canteen.

How to Choose a Coffee Vendor

There are many coffee vendors that service large businesses and smaller companies with at least 20 employees. The larger coffee services have a lot more years of experience and can offer you advice on what optional set up you should try for your business.

But for a more personable relationship with your coffee vendor, you may want to try setting up coffee vending machines from smaller “mom and pop” outfits. Their community-based presence could lend your office coffee service a personal touch. Moreover, they could also offer coffee at much lower prices.

But regardless of which coffee vendor you choose to work with in the end, the order of the day is prompt and friendly service with flexible service terms. Since every vendor differs in what they offer, it is important that you speak with several vendors first before deciding on the price, quality, and service that are just right for you.

In addition to overall service, the taste of your coffee is also vital. Quality of the coffee you serve should be your top priority when it comes to office coffee service so it’s best that you sample the various coffee blends before making a decision.

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How To Find Wholesale Coffee In Massachusetts

September 3rd, 2010

Do you dream on the subject of coffee like I actually do?

If so, you will require to know exactly where to find Wholesale Coffee In Massachusetts.

I could certain use a grande caramel macchiato correct now. Doesn’t that sound perfect?

You can just taste that sweet caramel as that clean ground coffee aroma fills your sinuses with incomparable java goodness. Wow, is there a coffee house close by or what? I know you’re craving one right about now. Just picture that grande mug of tempting and rich coffee sitting in front of you. Any flavor or fashion you choose..
That’s one particular component of the day we all look forward as well.
You just hope the line is not as well long. Which can often be a actual bummer. You think you’re going to just whiz through the drive-thru, but all of the sudden you observe eight other automobiles prior to you. Fantastic , that’s all you needed! Now you have to wait permanently to get that clean roasted coffee in your hand. Or, at the extremely least, it looks like permanently at times. There is a fine alternative to this redundant method, you know. It’s not a handgun and a poor temper. It’s not a extraterrestial java angel. It’s a residence, espresso, super machine and the ideal Wholesale Coffee In Massachusetts.
What do you know about wholesale gourmet coffee beans and residence espresso machines?

 

I will let you in on a small secret about java. 1st of all, it tastes great. Oh, okay in no way mind; you by now knew that element. Anyway, you must also know that you can concoct your really personal java mixes and espresso drinks in your kitchen. Yep, that’s what I mentioned. You don’t have to rely on the cranky, generate-thru teenager, who might or may possibly not use the aged espresso grounds already in the coffee machine. That’s constantly a bummer.

Purchase Your Private Setup.
These days you can invest in good quality Wholesale Coffee In Massachusetts, and the machine to get the employment carried out proper. In reality, I highly advise this route. I take pleasure in purchasing my private wholesale gourmet coffee merely due to the reality that I know how aged they are. Unlike individuals Starbucks shops that use some of the cheapest beans all over, you can invest in wholesale gourmet coffee beans online, and I know you will end up with a finer cup of Joe.

In which To Purchase Very Smooth Coffee Without having Bitterness.

Situated in Jackson, Michigan, the Jackson Coffee Co. (www.jacksoncoffeeco.com) boasts two shops and a big roasting facility in the heart of the city. Open for almost four many years, the firm has witnessed nothing by growth in their retail and wholesale businesses. Retail retailers are quant, and are seeing over 500 clients per day. This puts them in the ranks of most Starbucks. Their competition includes Starbucks, as properly as the likes of Biggby Gourmet Coffee, Dunkin Donuts, and the local chain Bearclaw Coffee Co. Each and every year they take residence the coveted title of “finest coffee”. Beating the chains is no easy feat, but can very easily be attributed to them roasting their own coffee and their generate to be the greatest. Also, they are properly identified close to the nation for their Very Smooth™ coffees. You will find their wholesale coffees in 19 States, and in many of the top restaurants. Their costs are affordable, and even though they might not be the most inexpensive coffee supplier, the good quality of their coffees is perform the additional dollar per pound one particular may possibly commit. They are Michigan’s range a single coffee wholesaler for a cause.

Coffee Philosophy:

At the Jackson Coffee Co. everything is performed on a smaller scale.

They do not sell factory coffee.

Rather, all coffee is meticulously and skillfully prepared in a classic drum roaster. The coffee is roasted in a 10kg drum (22 pound) roaster and gradually roasted till all over 17 minutes or so depending on which coffee they are roasting.

This provides for coffee that is Very Smooth™ and without having bitterness.

All their coffee is roasted according to a profile which results in amazing consistency.

They use the Ambex 10 with the computerized Roast Profile RT technique.

www.ambexroaster.com They are the only roaster in Michigan with this method, and the only a single in the Midwest with the Ambex 10 DCQ technique. Every coffee or blend has its private ideal profile. Many men and women roast coffee just by hand but we think this can lead to inconsistency.
They use a excellent computer software program that controls all factors during the roast.

This indicates that they’ll manage exactly what the heck is happening during the roast and that is extremely critical.
Profile roasting also allows them to ‘copy’ a previous roast giving them, you guessed it, fantastic consistency and Very Smooth™ coffees.

They can truly manage the roast, instead of just roasting to a color or temperature. They can manage how they want to get there.

Of course they nevertheless have a roaster checking the coffee through the roast to make positive that things are going based on strategy.

 

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Coffee Shop Business Plan – Finding Your Usp

September 3rd, 2010

USP stands for unique selling proposition or point. It is the one thing that really makes one business stand out from another and without a USP your coffee shop business plan is worthless.

For starters, actually go to your competition. I know this doesn’t sound like something you’re going to enjoy doing, but consider it research. Go look and see how they have their establishments setup. See what kind of menus they have. A coffee shop is more than just coffee. The more competition you check out, the better an idea you’ll have of how to compete.

Next, you want to study their ad campaigns. Everybody advertises differently based on their USP, but they all do have things in common. Look for those similarities. There are some basic things that you’re going to want to convey to your target market. The primary things are:

The quality of the coffee and food

The atmosphere of the shop

The price

A lot of people say that there’s not a big difference between one coffee and another. Those people are NOT real coffee drinkers. Trust me…there is a difference. If you’re looking to cater to the guy driving an 18 wheeler on route 9, he’s going to expect a different quality of coffee than the guy who has on a $2,000 suit and doesn’t buy anything off the rack. You have to know who your target market is and what kind of coffee they’re going to expect.

Finding your USP is really as simple as looking at your product, in your case, your coffee shop, and deciding what it is about it that makes it different from everybody else

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Coffee Shop Furniture and D?cor Set the Stage for Your Cafe’s Style and Ambiance

September 3rd, 2010

If you are considering opening a cafe, your choice of coffee shop furniture and décor is an important part of creating the unique personality and ambiance that will attract patrons and make visitors feel welcome.

People from every walk of life realize the pleasure and enjoyment found in an expertly brewed cup of coffee. Whether reading the daily newspaper, studying for college exams, entertaining clients, or socializing with friends, coffee is the perfect complement to any activity and the warm, friendly environment of a cafe is the ideal setting.

From classic modern design to trendy chic; or, from quaint Victorian to cozy country, cafes are popular social gathering spots for every crowd. They provide a place to unwind and relax and offer a comfortable venue for business executives to work or busy moms to recharge.

Every coffee shop owner knows that layout, design, and décor are important to the attractiveness and success of their cafe. Selecting furnishings to complement and enhance the theme will appeal to patrons and make each cafe stand out from all the rest.

Modern/Contemporary

Give the coffee shop a stylish urban look with metal furniture accented with upholstery and patterns in primary colors such as red, blue, or yellow. Include a mix of square tables and high round tables in lacquered black or light colored wood. Add a couple black leather couches and coffee tables in a contemporary design. Complete the look with sleek track lighting, simple framed mirrors, and modern sculptures and artwork.

Victorian

Create an elegant or whimsical ambiance with simple wooden tables and chairs. Use plain, embroidered, or lace tablecloths accented with intricate hand blown glass vases filled with fresh cut flowers. Include wooden bookcases decorated with an assortment of Victorian era items and cover walls with prints of Victorian homes or pastoral scenes. Adding white painted sideboards and a variety of floor and table lamps will give the room a cozy yet opulent feel. In pleasant weather, create a Victorian sidewalk cafe by placing a couple of wrought iron tables and chairs outside. Complete with wildflower arrangements and hand painted mugs.

Beachfront

From the sandy shores to a busy boulevard, you can give your coffee shop a casual beachfront aura that will attract those looking for a place to relax and refresh. Use simple picnic style tables and benches or dress it up a little with plain wooden tables and metal framed wicker chairs. Accent with large beach umbrellas or tiki palm thatched umbrellas and huts. Complete the look with palm trees, bowls of tropical fruit or bamboo torches.

Traditional

Create a comfortable, familiar environment with a traditional décor offering a little bit of everything. Wooden square tables with chairs painted in contrasting colors will add a perfect blend of country and contemporary, making everyone feel welcome. Add glass display cases, large chalkboards for handwritten menus, and a bookcase containing a variety of magazines or books for patrons to peruse while enjoying their coffee and treats.

Pet Friendly

Catch onto the newest trend in coffee shops – the pet friendly environment – with a décor that will make four legged creatures feel as welcome as their owners. Have an enclosed area for pets or allow them to mingle freely. Include tables with paw print patterns and cover walls with pictures of cats, dogs, and other pets, designating a special portion for photos of local pet patrons. And, remember to have a few plush doggy beds scattered around the room.

Rustic

For a relaxed nature theme, use wooden tables and mismatched chairs, or slab tables with long benches. Add a couple of large brown leather chairs, coffee tables made from slices of tree trunks, and even a few antique pieces. Accent with oil lamps and paintings of country scenes, and display products in stacked wooden crates or on unvarnished shelves.

Cafes are a great place to work, relax, and socialize with friends, and the choice of coffee shop furniture and décor is an important part of making each cafe comfortable and unique.

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Helpful Tips For Prospective Coffee Shop Owners

September 3rd, 2010

As a successful businessman with many years experience of running a shop fitting company and setting up and running coffee shops, Don Clarke knows the two most important factors for a successful shop are location, location, location and staff.

With regard to managing staff, Don quickly realized something that was contradictory to accepted beliefs: the customer does not come first – your staff should come first! If your employees are happy, then they will give excellent service to your customers, and your customers will be happy. So, it is worth taking note of the following points:

1. Teach your staff how to handle difficult situations. If you observe them handling a difficult situation badly, do not criticize. Tell them “I don’t know how I would have dealt with that problem – I’ll need to think about it”

2. Treat your staff with courtesy and respect. They will usually give the same in return.

3. Discuss your training requirements with your supervisors before you begin to train your staff, so that your management structure is cohesive and working towards the same goals.

4. Set weekly or monthly training sessions. Use these sessions to highlight strengths and weaknesses of your staff, and ask your staff if there are any points they wish to raise.

5. NEVER reprimand any member of staff in front of other staff or customers. If you have a complaint with their work, discuss this in private.

6. If you have a problem with a member of staff, raise the problem you wish to discuss and finish with praise. If you manage your staff with tact, they will listen to your complaint without resentment.

7. Finally, remember – you are creating a team, without your team you do not have a business.

With regard to the location of a coffee shop, many people overlook this starting point. They look for a shop that will cost them the least rent and tell themselves that their shop will be run so well that people will flock to it. But remember, consumers are fickle! And lazy! If your shop is not in the right place, whatever you do and whatever you offer, your business will be limited by its location.

So, don’t commit yourself to any premises until you know how many people will pass by your shop each day. You will be investing a huge amount of your time and money into your new business and you really won’t want it to fail. Put aside as much time as possible to find the best position for your shop. Take a clipboard and stand outside a popular coffee shop – count how many people walk past the shop and how many stop for a coffee. Do this at different times of the day, and different days of the week. Take a note of the nearby shops that are attracting shoppers – you need your coffee shop to be convenient for people who “shop ’til they drop” and then need refreshment.

On average, customers tend to spend around £4 a head in a coffee shop, perhaps slightly more in expensive areas. You can use this as a basis to work out how many customers you will need per day to cover your costs and make a profit. So, if your operating costs, which will include repayment of setting up costs, wages, food, utility bills and last, but not least, profits, require you to make £3500 per week, you will need at least 125 people per day spending a minimum of £4 each, to give you the £500 needed per day, based on a 7 day working week.

So remember – do the maths first and foremost and make sure your shop is in a location where it will have enough passing trade to cover your costs. Treat your staff well and you are on the way to turning coffee into gold!

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Search Wholesale Coffee In New York

September 3rd, 2010

Do you desire with regards to coffee like I actually do? If you are, you’ll require to know exactly where to find Wholesale Coffee In New York. I could positive use a grande caramel macchiato proper now. Doesn’t that sound ideal? You can just taste that sweet caramel as that clean ground coffee aroma fills your sinuses with incomparable java goodness. Wow, is there a coffee house close by or what? I know you’re craving a single correct about now. Just picture that grande mug of tempting and rich coffee sitting in front of you. Any flavor or fashion you choose.. That’s 1 part of the day we all look forward too. You just hope the line is not as well prolonged. Which could often be a genuine bummer. You think you’re going to just whiz by way of the drive-thru, but all of the sudden you notice eight other autos prior to you. Fantastic , that’s all you necessary! Now you have to wait forever to get that clean roasted coffee in your hand. Or, at the quite least, it appears like permanently at times. There is a fine option to this redundant procedure, you know. It’s not a handgun and a bad temper. It’s not a extraterrestial java angel. It’s a property, espresso, super machine and the best Wholesale Coffee In New York. What do you know about wholesale gourmet coffee beans and residence espresso machines?

 

I will let you in on a small secret about java. 1st of all, it tastes good. Oh, okay by no means mind; you currently knew that part. Anyway, you ought to also know that you can concoct your very personal java mixes and espresso drinks in your kitchen. Yep, that’s what I mentioned. You don’t have to rely on the cranky, drive-thru teenager, who may possibly or may well not use the old espresso grounds currently in the coffee machine. That’s usually a bummer. Purchase Your Private Set up.

These days you can buy top quality Wholesale Coffee In New York, and the machine to get the work carried out right. In fact, I extremely suggest this route. I take pleasure in purchasing my personal wholesale gourmet coffee merely due to the reality that I know how aged they are. As opposed to those Starbucks shops that use some of the most inexpensive beans all over, you can obtain wholesale gourmet coffee beans online, and I know you will end up with a finer cup of Joe. Exactly where To Invest in Really Smooth Coffee With out Bitterness. Located in Jackson, Michigan, the Jackson Coffee Co. (www.jacksoncoffeeco.com) boasts two shops and a huge roasting facility in the heart of the city. Open for virtually four many years, the organization has noticed nothing by growth in their retail and wholesale businesses. Retail shops are quant, and are seeing more than 500 consumers per day. This puts them in the ranks of most Starbucks. Their competition includes Starbucks, as properly as the likes of Biggby Gourmet Coffee, Dunkin Donuts, and the nearby chain Bearclaw Coffee Co. Each year they take residence the coveted title of “greatest coffee”. Beating the chains is no effortless feat, but can simply be attributed to them roasting their very own coffee and their drive to be the best. Also, they are properly acknowledged close to the country for their Very Smooth™ coffees. You will find their wholesale coffees in 19 States, and in numerous of the leading restaurants. Their prices are inexpensive, and even though they might not be the most affordable coffee supplier, the good quality of their coffees is function the additional dollar per pound one particular might invest. They are Michigan’s amount a single coffee wholesaler for a reason.

Coffee Philosophy:

At the Jackson Coffee Co.

everything is performed on a smaller scale. They do not sell factory coffee. Rather, all coffee is very carefully and skillfully prepared in a traditional drum roaster. The coffee is roasted in a 10kg drum (22 pound) roaster and slowly roasted till around 17 minutes or so depending on which coffee they are roasting. This offers for coffee that is Very Smooth™ and without having bitterness.

All their coffee is roasted according to a profile which outcomes in amazing consistency. They use the Ambex 10 with the computerized Roast Report RT technique. www.ambexroaster.com They are the only roaster in Michigan with this program, and the only one in the Midwest with the Ambex 10 DCQ method.

Each and every coffee or blend has its very own perfect profile. Several folks roast coffee just by hand but we think this can lead to inconsistency. They use a good computer software method that controls all elements during the roast.

This indicates that they’ll manage exactly precisely what is happening during the roast and that is very essential. Report roasting also makes it possible for them to ‘copy’ a earlier roast giving them, you guessed it, excellent consistency and Really Smooth™ coffees. They can really handle the roast, instead of just roasting to a color or temperature.

They can manage how they want to get there.

Of course they even now have a roaster checking the coffee during the roast to make certain that things are going in line with strategy.

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How to Open Your Own Coffee Shop

September 3rd, 2010

The large number of daily coffee drinkers makes the coffee industry incredibly profitable. You can find money-making opportunities surrounding this caffeinated beverage virtually everywhere. Whether you start a coffee shop, do mobile espresso catering, open a coffee drink drive-through or sell coffee gift baskets through mail order, there are customers who want to buy what you sell.

If you love coffee, you can most likely find a lucrative coffee business opportunity that will fit your start-up capital and your lifestyle. You can start with a mobile service, upgrade to a kiosk or invest in a high-traffic storefront. In addition, you can partner with other companies to cut your expenses and grow your profits – such as event planning businesses, catering services or hotels.

No matter what type of coffee business you decide to start, free samples are always a good way to get your business name out there and get your foot in the door with prospective customers. With a café, you can entice new customers with special events that feature local photographers, painters or musicians. You can often provide this “entertainment” for free, as these artists welcome the opportunity to promote their own talents.

In addition to the traditional advertising opportunities you have in the yellow pages, local newspapers and radio stations, you can print low-cost coupons to bring in new customers. Hold monthly drawings for a “free coffee drink” to get customers to give you their contact information so you can build a mailing list. Another simple technique is to offer discount coffee cards (“Buy 8, get one free”) to encourage people to become regular customers.

Delivering free coffee to a radio station is another inexpensive way to get your business name out there – in front of lots of people. Submitting a press release is a great example – the media will promote you for free if you send them a great news story about your business. This could be as simple is having your friend write a review about your “Café Opening” and sending it to your local paper.

So how do you actually start your coffee shop?

1. Learn your business – different coffee flavors, the various ways of preparing coffee, caffeinated beverage trends and new and different coffee products. Your knowledge will help your business stay competitive and profitable. Get an inexpensive start-up guide on how to start a coffee shop or interview a coffee shop owner who can give you first-hand advice.

2. Discover who your customers are. Obviously, they are most likely caffeine addicts – but what else do they want, and what are they willing to pay for it? (i.e. social atmosphere, relaxing work space, fast drive-through service, healthy meals, late-night hours) When you can create a unique café that offers value to the community, you’ll find it much easier to win over customers.

3. Find out which licenses or permits you need from your local government office. Talk with an accountant, insurance agent and banker (you can get referrals from other local business owners or friends) to get helpful tips on financing, tax issues, insurance and business management that will save you time, money and hassles down the road.

Get Started!

Coffee is generically everywhere. People will pay for something a little different. Use your creativity to design a truly unique coffee service or café environment, and you’ll find that customers come flocking to your door. Businesses that provide coffee products or services can flourish even in a down economy, so if you want to start your business – go for it!

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