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If you are on the lookout for starting a business and the type of person who likes to drink coffee would be a good idea for you to open a coffee shop. However, doing so is not an easy job. So before you dive in and invest your money in opening cafes, these tips will help you get going and find success in this endeavor.
TIPS
#1 Learn as Much
The first thing you should do, regardless if it's opening a coffee shop, but starting a business in general require you to learn as much as you can about the industry, its competition and the process of running it. Being knowledgeable can make great difference to your business. Check online for information about running a coffee shops, attend seminars and even try to get a Barista Guild of America Certified.
#2 Know the Trends
Knowing the hype in this industry is good to know so your shop will not get left behind. It's good to know to jump along the hype as this will bring in more money. But your business shouldn't not all be about the hype as this will trouble your business in the future if the trends starts losing.
#3 Create a Business Plan
After gathering a lot of information as you can, it's now time for you to make some action and prepare your "battle plan" or as they say, "business plan". It doesn't have to be very formal as after all, you will be the boss and the plan is for you to review. What's important is to identify your goal in coffee shop, location where you plan to open, feel of your shop, the budget you can spend and estimated costs, and most importantly, what can you offer to make you stand out.
When looking for a location, it's best to place your shop in a street where it is easily accessible and a lot of people pass it by so you can easily be found considering you're new to the place. As for the overall feel on your shop, a great ambience is very important when it comes to coffee shops because your customers don't only go there to buy coffees but more often than not, people go there to relax along with your coffee. This is especially true when it comes to after office hours, people go there to chill after work. And lastly, the critical part is having to offer something different that could make you stand out. It doesn't have to be related to just doing a new kind of coffee or beverage, but it is often related to those, but it can also related to your overall ambience that could also make your shop set apart.
#4 Be the Coffee Person
Being the owner of a coffee shop is not as simple as hiring people to do the work for you, especially if you're on the early stage of opening it. You should also be the barista of your shop. You have the skills to make fine tasting coffee to also run it successfully. As I mentioned earlier about getting information, you should also get certification from Barista Guild of America in order to have the authority and not to mention, bragging rights, that you really know how to make coffee and manage your shop without ever really relying on other people to run your business. If your shop gets bigger and more people are coming in, then it's a good time for you to hire more people and train them.
It will also be a good idea to partner with vendors and roasters who have similar missions and are willing to provide support. Then train (and retain) the right employees, who can make or break your operation.
#4 Surround Yourself with its Culture
Aside from just running business, it would be a good idea to join a group of professionals that are related to coffee business or being barista. This will be a good place to get more information and hone your skills and give support to one another.
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