Hello, tedledgend-ga!
I have compiled numerous references that should help you in writing your report!
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INDEPENDENT COFFEE SHOP OWNERS
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Finding lengthy interviews with independent coffee shop owners was not
easy. Alternatively, I searched at length to cull articles that
contain quotes and snippets from coffee shop owners about their
businesses. The references offer a variety of thoughts and individual
insights into what it takes to own and run a successful coffee shop.
===
"Espresso entrepreneur - Brewing small successes in a corporate
coffeehouse world," by Erika Engle. Star Bulletin. 2003
http://starbulletin.com/2003/05/18/business/story1.html
"Despite a java giant's tentacle-like reach into the suburbs, there
are small, independent operators who flourish. Shawn Chun, 29, owns
and operates the Gotta Java Espresso, Bubble Bubble & Juice Boost
kiosk at Market City Shopping Center. Now the president of Shawn Gotta
Java Inc., there was a day not long ago when he just worked there. Two
years ago, Chun was one of three employees working for the three
partners who owned the coffee cart, known then as R.G. Biv's Espresso.
The other two employees work for him now. Chun was a full-time
Kapiolani Community College student considering a major in English
literature, but when the partners decided to disband, they offered to
sell it to the part-time barrista. Why him? "I guess they saw my
interaction with the customers and saw how I enjoyed my work," he
said.
Read further...
===
From "SPoT Coffee - A warm spot for everyone."
http://www.cookingforprofit.com/NewFiles/spot_coffee.html
"The Morins founded SPoT Coffee Inc. in 1995. The couple?s high-tech
corporate jobs were bouncing them around the country and they felt
ungrounded. Their last stop was in Seattle, where coffee is king, and
it was there they decided to return to Sally?s hometown and open a
business. "We were hanging out in a coffee shop and came up with the
idea to start a coffee company," she said. "We wanted to come back to
Buffalo and there was a need for gourmet coffee here." The couple
wrote a business plan and learned as much as they could about coffee.
Eight months after moving back east, they opened the doors of the
first SPoT Coffee. "When you spend time defining what you want your
business to be before you actually start the business, you do it in a
way that is not so emotional," Penders Morin said. "We went to the
local small business development office and they helped us work on our
business plan. They worked with us to redo spreadsheets and it was a
brutal process, but by the time we were done we knew what we wanted to
be. We wanted our place to have a heart, and a soul and a feel."
"What we noticed about coffee shops is that you can tell what kind of
audience they draw from the décor and employees," Penders Morin said.
"Some seem to call out to a young, hip crowd; others draw an older
yuppie, more elite crowd. We wanted to be a spot for everybody. Our
décor is kind of eclectic. We wanted people to feel transformed by the
atmosphere when they walked through the door, by the music and the
energy of our employees."
"When we first opened, coffee was very new to the Buffalo market,"
Penders Morin said. "People were intimidated by it. We wanted people
to ask questions and feel comfortable. We also wanted to focus on
being diverse. Everyone is welcome here and treated the same: age,
race, what people represent - it doesn?t matter here. In fact, we have
homeless people who come in. We know them by name and we treat them
the same as we treat the judges who come in here. We treat people with
mutual respect; try to be sincere with our service."
"That respect is extended to employees as well. "Employees are allowed
to be themselves," she said. "There?s no uniform and no nametag. We
want our employees to get to know people naturally and introduce
themselves."
"One of the Morins? goals when they open a SPoT Coffee is to become a
part of what they call "the fabric of the neighborhood." And they?ve
achieved that goal. SPoT Coffee is so much a part of the fabric of the
neighborhood that their stores have been the location of two weddings
and a funeral."
Read further....
===
From "Starlight Coffee serves up good will with a hot cup of java," by
Shona Crabtree. Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal. 2001
http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/2001/03/12/focus2.html
"Whether serving lattes to a group of Harley Davidson bikers or
greeting a lone businessman by name, Alhaja Yetunde Adekunle, owner of
Starlight Coffee in San Jose, says customer service -- not her gender
or race -- is the secret to her success. Often, she has drinks ready
for regular customers by the time they enter her shop. A Nigerian
immigrant turned U.S. citizen, Ms. Adekunle, "Tunde" to her regular
customers, doesn't depend on her minority status to attract customers,
although she says she believes she is the only Nigerian in the area
who owns a coffee shop. She says when she bought the business in 1996
from a Korean-American, the African-American customers who realized
she was the new owner were impressed. That didn't automatically
translate into repeat business, however..."
....
"In 1994, she began a part-time job at a local coffee shop to learn
the trade. "The owner asked `What is your goal?' I told him I want to
open my own coffee shop," she says. What she didn't know was how long
it would take to see a profit. She and her 20-year-old daughter, Bose,
a student at De Anza College, split the 12-hour to 18-hour shifts
between them. Starlight Coffee, on Winchester and Stevens Creek
boulevards, is open seven days a week. Ms. Adekunle has no employees.
Last year, the coffee shop showed its first profit of $50,000, with
sales of $165,000. Rex Abille, of Fremont, who works at a nearby
electronics store, is a regular. "It's like coming home," he says,
gesturing at the sun-drenched room dotted with tables and flowers.
"There's no pressure. We're relaxed here." Yemane Hagos, an Eritrean
who lives in San Jose and works at a rental car agency, comes every
day for his java, sometimes twice a day. He likes the friendly
atmosphere, good service and cleanliness, adding the African
connection with Ms. Adekunle is strong. Starlight Coffee's Eritrean
customers are extremely loyal, Ms. Adekunle says. East Africans make
up 20 percent of the coffee shop's clientele. But, she says, "this is
open to everyone."
===
From "Owner aims high with new coffee shop," by Tom Murphy, Rocky
Mount Telegram. June 24, 2005
http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:n7oGPFx_XWwJ:www.rockymounttelegram.com/news/content/news/stories/2005/06/24/20050624RMTmotts.html+successful+coffee+shop+owners&hl=en
(Only the cached version is available. If the link does not work,
type the article title into your browser and click on the "cached"
version.)
"Mott, who came to Rocky Mount in 1992, said he recently quit his job
working in the pre-engineered metal building industry to open Java
Mott's. "Five years ago, when I was working in the metal building
industry, I was frustrated," Mott said. "I was trying to figure out a
way to have serenity in our lives and spend more time with my family.
Due to the fact that I love coffee and espresso drinks so much, my
wife said, 'Why don't you open a coffeehouse, sit back and listen to a
little jazzy music?' That's how the idea was conceived for this
business. It was hers."
"It's taken about five years to make Java Mott's a reality, Mott said.
"We are excited to be here in Rocky Mount," he said. "I'm not talking
about money, but the people you meet. Happiness is not about money but
the people you surround yourself with. Success isn't measured by how
much money a person makes but how much happiness he's created in a
lifetime. Happiness is basically about people. You surround yourself
with the friends you make."
"Karen Mott is a radiological technician at Nash General Hospital and
joins in the family business during her off time. The Mott children
also put in their time at the business. "My father was a great
entrepreneur," Mott said. "He taught me much, particularly that I
needed to have a positive attitude. He always told me to surround
myself with people I wanted to be like. Success isn't something that
is determined by how much you have. It is a journey. It's a challenge
every day. Winners never quit. Quitters never win." "This will be a
strong family business," Mott said. "We are looking to grow, make
friends and sell a lot of latte. We came from the bottom. We put our
pants on each day just like everybody else. We're just ordinary
people. Our motto is live well, love much and laugh often."
===
From "Planning energizes start-up coffee shop," by Maureen McDonald.
Detroit News Business. 2003
http://www.detnews.com/2003/business/0309/02/b03-260316.htm
"What makes Cafe de Troit stand out is how much research went into the
owner's business plan. She understood what was needed in terms of
beverages, atmosphere and marketing," said Derek Edwards, a small
business loan officer for National City Bank. Padgett submitted a
2-inch thick proposal for funding. "She did her homework," Edwards
said. "All too often people come poorly prepared to a banker with
little plans for how they will execute a business. They forget that a
business plan is a road map that guides people toward achievement."
===
From "?Friends?-Style Coffee House," by Brian Franks. The Signal 3/15/2005
http://www.the-signal.com/News/ViewStory.asp?storyID=6710
"After more than 20 years in the health insurance industry, Richard
Faulise is moving into the business of beans with the opening of his
It?s A Grind coffee house franchise in Castiac. The coffee house
specializes in gourmet coffee, espresso and bakery goods. "It?s a nice
place to meet and drink coffee or eat with your friends," Faulise
said. "Aesthetically, It?s A Grind treats its customers to a casual,
relaxed, home-away-from-home atmosphere that?s a notch above the
worn-couch look of the popular ?Friends? sitcom coffee house, yet more
upscale and comfortable than the typical, wooden table-and-chair decor
found at most coffee chains." "We realize that our success is directly
tied to our customers? experience, not just our specialty coffee," he
said. "We are committed to creating a friendly environment, a place
where you can relax with friends and family."
===
From "Dunn Bros. Coffee breaks the mold -- with every store," by Jim
Buchta. Star Tribune. Sep 19, 2002.
http://www.restaurantresearch.info/In%20the%20Press/Dunn%20Bros_%20Coffee%20breaks%20the%20mold%20--%20with%20every%20store.htm
"Great java, no jive," said Dunn Bros. co-owner Chris Eilers. The key
to success isn't stamping out a bunch of look-alike coffee shops, he
says, it's a great cup of coffee in an environment that feels like
part of the neighborhood....Unlike the stores of the company's bigger
competitors Caribou Coffee and Starbucks, each Dunn Bros. store
reflects its community, whether it's in a suburban strip mall, the
Roseville Public Library, or a Victorian farmhouse."
"As chains go, that's a novel approach. Familiarity to Eilers, 42, and
co-owner Skip Fay, 39, means a consistently good cup of coffee. "A
coffeehouse is a community place, so it has to feel like it's part of
the community," said Fay, a former forklift salesman. "The connection
is about genuineness and appropriateness in the environment."
read further...
===
From "New coffee shop aims to please," By Carol Thorbes. January 13,
2005 , vol. 32, no. 1
http://www.sfu.ca/mediapr/sfu_news/archives/sfunews01130510.html
"I?ve always wanted to own my own café," declares Parhar, who
immigrated to Canada 14 years ago. "When I realized that SFU was going
to build a residential and commercial village up here, I saw it as a
perfect opportunity to start a business that brings town and gown
together. People from all corners of the academic and surrounding
community can enjoy coffee and get to know each other in a relaxed
setting."
"Asked to share the secret of his success, he replies: "I come here
everyday believing I can make each and everyone of my customers happy
and I believe that makes them come back." The coffee guru considers no
request too great. We have only one customer who wants a decaf Chai
latte. We make it for her every day.
"The meticulous care with which Parhar brews coffee is another secret
to success. Through trial and error he has discovered that keeping
coffee beans no more than 10 days ensures their freshness. Adjusting
the grind of beans to suit air moisture conditions dictated by weather
ensures that his espresso is never bitter."
===
"St. Helena's own 'Mr. Coffee' - Doug Dunlap learned the business from
the grounds up," by Carolyn Younger. St. Helena Star. 2005
http://www.sthelenastar.com/templates/index.cfm?template=story_full&id=D01A60B9-1F9F-4DF1-8281-A0892E0A9A0E
===
From "In Search of Business Success: One Student's Journey to Start a
Business in La Verne," by Michael Anklin. La Verne Magazine. Spring
1998
http://www.ulv.edu/comms/lvm/sp98/newbus.htm
"Lloyd Cox owns one of those small businesses in La Verne. In July
1997, he started Caffe ala Mode, a coffee, ice cream and sandwich shop
on Bonita Avenue. Those who want to start their own business should
listen to Lloyd; he has been there and done that. "I started out with
not only a dream but a concept," Cox says. This is not to discourage
future business owners, but those who think they can do it all by
themselves should think again. "You got to have money. Geez, I had
$10,000 to start. It was nowhere near enough," he says. Cox got
another $10,000 from his mom. "What I learned that was important was
getting guidance and the support of an accountant. Without the
community support, I wouldn't have gotten anywhere."
OTHER ARTICLES
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From "Elixer Coffee brews up the potion of success," by Dean Knuth.
Arizona Daily Star. http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/smallbusiness/85598.php
"Nestled in the shade of a nearby grocery store, Elixer Coffee
Solutions has been serving up Italian-style espresso and creamy mochas
for Oro Valley residents since 2003. Co-owners Charlie Panipinto and
Renée Wold started the outdoor café after the two became friends while
Wold was working at Raging Sage on North Campbell Avenue. "I knew that
I wanted to have a café. I just wasn't sure of the format it would
take," Wold said. The format it took was that of a stationary 1952
Studebaker truck. Panipinto refurbished and remodeled the rusted
vehicle. Instead of sporting cargo space, the back end holds its own
water and electrical system, including a sink, and a classic espresso
machine....."
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"Church coffee shop not your father?s pool hall - Dad?s Place offers
teenagers liquor-free fun," By Neil Mulka. Kansan.com
http://www.kansan.com/stories/2005/mar/15/news_lawrence_place/
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"Click and sip," by Diane Mouskourie. The Daily News. August 04,2005
http://www.jacksonvilledailynews.com/SiteProcessor.cfm?Template=/GlobalTemplates/Details.cfm&StoryID=33965&Section=MAX
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Tobacco's Coffee Connection - Tobacco retailers brew up excitement and
profit incorporating java into their merchandise mix," by Bob Ashley
http://www.smokeshopmag.com/1002/cover.htm
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"Brewing sucess; 200 Capri Coffee fanchises in the works," by Helen
Brophy. Windsor Tribune.
http://www.windsortribune.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=557
==
"The Call of Coffee," by Amy Kaspar. The New Colonist
http://www.newcolonist.com/corduroys.html
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WEBSITES DEVOTED TO COFFEE
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"Want to avoid Starbucks? Check out the web," By Karen Schwartz."
http://jscms.jrn.columbia.edu/cns/2005-04-19/schwartzk-delocator
"When it comes to cafe choices and finding a good cup of joe, a
three-person California artist collective wants people to know they
have more options than just the Starbucks down the street. That?s why
the three started Delocator.net, a Web site launched April 1 that,
taking its cue from the hugely popular online store locators, lets
people search for nearby alternatives to the corporate coffee-house
chain Starbucks."
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I Need Coffee
http://www.ineedcoffee.com/
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Fair Trade Coffee - Global Exchange - "Coffee With a Conscience."
http://www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/fairtrade/2121.html
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ASSOCIATIONS/SEMINARS
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National Coffee Association of U.S.A., Inc.
http://www.ncausa.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=40
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"Coffee and Tea Associations." About.com
http://coffeetea.about.com/od/associations/
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NCA 2005 Fall Educational Conference
http://www.ncausa.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=1
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Coffee Fest Trade Shows
http://www.coffeefest.com/
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Specialty Coffee & Tea Trade Magazine - Trade Show Calendar (under
Industry Resources)
http://www.freshcup.com/
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BOOKS, TRAINING, CONSULTING, ETC
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"Top 8 Coffee Business Books." About.com Guide Picks from Sean
Paajanen, Your Guide to Coffee / Tea.
http://coffeetea.about.com/cs/business/tp/businessbooks.htm
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"ESPRESSO! Starting and Running Your Own Specialty Coffee Business,"
by Joe Monaghan, Julie Sheldon Huffaker.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/047112138X/002-2844177-1590442?v=glance
=
"Seven Steps to Success," by Greg Ubert.
http://www.crimsoncup.com/
"Since 1991 CrimsonCup has been working with independent entrepreneurs
from around the country, opening profitable coffee shop businesses. As
a result, we discovered that the factors which allow an espresso based
business to thrive, rather than just merely survive, come down to just
seven steps. At CrimsonCup, we refer to them as the "Seven Steps to
Success".
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Bellissimo Coffee Business Consulting and Start-up Service
http://www.espresso101.com/coffee_business_consulting.html
Also see:
http://www.coffeebusiness.com/
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Q/A - "A Coffee Shop's Grounds for Concern." SMART ANSWERS By Karen E.
Klein. Business Week Online. 2002
http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/sep2002/sb20020917_4548.htm
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"Become a Coffee House Owner."
http://www.fabjob.com/coffeehouse.asp
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"Coffee/Espresso Business Success Program.
http://www.espressobusiness.com/book.htm
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Seattle Barista Academy
http://www.seattlebaristaacademy.com/aboutus.htm
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COFFEE FRANCHISES
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I have compiled some websites that list coffee franchise
opportunities in the United States. Some sites will undoubtedly have
some overlap.
http://www.mysitespace.com/franchise_opportunities/coffee_franchises.asp
http://www.franchiseforsale.com/category/28/coffeeespresso.php
http://www.smallbusinessopportunity.com/industries/2618/coffee.asp
A search under "coffee franchise" will also bring up a host links to
individual companies:
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&c2coff=1&rls=GGLD%2CGGLD%3A2003-47%2CGGLD%3Aen&q=coffee+franchise
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Again - I hope these references are helpful!
Sincerely,
umiat
Search Strategy
interview AND coffee shop owner
owns a small coffee shop OR owner of a small coffee shop
owns an independent coffee shop
what makes a successful coffee shop
small coffee shop
coffee franchises
own a coffee shop
U.S. coffee businesses
coffee industry seminars |
