I am so excited to welcome Erika Vonie to the show! Erika is the Director of Coffee for Trade Coffee and she is the professionals professional. Her long and accomplished career in coffee has been comprised of great success in retail, management, green buying, quality control, customer relations, event  management, competition, and much more. Erika's energy and drive to learn, grow, and contribute to the industry is made very obvious in this conversation with is essentially a retrospective of her career. We talk about the road into coffee, competition experiences, the highs and lows of retail, what motivated her to go into green buying and the producing side of coffee, what would she change if she could go back, what is she most proud of, and her advice on how to make a difference from our places in retail. I think you will certainly benefit from and be inspired by what Erika shares here. Enjoy! Links: Trade Coffee Erika on IG Erika on Twitter NYC Recommendations: Felix Coffee Roasters Black Fox Coffee High Collar  Joe Pro Shop  

It's Founder Friday! Today we talk with the Co-Founder of Kusanya Cafe located in Englewood, Chicago, USA, Phil Sipka. Kusanya Cafe is an all resident owned and run non-profit coffee shop that has been providing an amazing gathering spot and 3rd place for the Englewood neighborhood for the past 5 years. It is truly a great example of what can happen when a community comes together and build something together.  In this conversation we discuss the vision of Kusanya, the years long struggle to get the cafe open, community organization, working as a non-profit shop, opening up the space to be guided and co-created with the neighborhood, hiring and empowering staff, winning the trust of the neighborhood, and much more.  This is a small but mighty example of what revitalization and renewal can look like in the face of gentrification.  Be inspired! Links: http://www.kusanyacafe.org Understanding Gentrification w/ Dr. Stacey Sutton    Thanks to our sponsors! www.pacificfoods.com www.prima-coffee.com  

Dysfunction in the cafe's functionality is something we all deal with and have to manage. Not everything works according to plan or the way it is supposed to. How we deal with this will determine how people see you as a leader and how they see the cafe. Will it be as apathetic and disengaged? Or empathetic and actively engaged? Today we chat about the acceptance of dysfunction the plagues cafes and what to do about it. 

There is a whole world of chemical components that make up your cup of coffee. Knowing more about that world will help us become better operators and better professionals as it will enable us to increase the quality and consistency of what we serve. Today we get to learn a bit about organic acids and the importance of coffee science with the  former Director of Science and Technology for the SCAA, and Director of Research & Technology for Coffee Intelligence, Joseph A. Rivera. We will talk about his journey and work as a coffee scientist, what are the main organic acids to be aware of, what are some relationships between origin and processing and how much of a particular acid is in a coffee, caffeine, cold brew, and why we need to care about science in the coffee industry.  It is my intention to explore the science behind what we do in the shop in future episodes of Keys to the Shop and I am thrilled and honored to have Joseph on the show to start us off on that journey.  Enjoy! Links: www.coffeechemistry.com   

Communication is a two-way street. The way we operate though makes it very difficult for communication to flow back up the chain of authority in the shop. This is a problem for both customers and baristas alike and today we chat about some ways to create a culture where feedback is prioritized and welcomed instead of forgot or avoided. 

Nothing helps you grow like great books! In this Vol.2 of Essential Books we talk about 5 books that will have a huge impact on your career and business. They cover everything from team building, problem solving for managers, and managing up the chain of authority -to entrepreneurship and an in-depth look at the role the coffee shop plays in your community. These are truly powerful works that I believe should be read by every coffee service professional.  Enjoy!  

Coffee shop managers need to delegate and assign tasks to the team. This includes checklists, chore charts, and special projects. A critical part of effective delegation is holding people accountable for the work done in the cafe. Today we chat about how approving delegated work will empower you, your staff, and ultimately the shop. 

Today is a special day because we get to chat with Deb Kaminsky, the Director of Food Service Marketing for Pacific Natural Foods. When you see the Pacific Barista Series, it's success in the market, and the incredible support Pacific gives baristas, that's Deb. Throughout her career her heart has been to nourish people and in this interview we get to know her story, the story of the Baristas Series' incredible growth, and the passion that that drives Deb to support, listen to, and advance the cause of the barista craft.  I love her encouraging and affirming spirit and I know you will leave this conversation thankful to have a leader like Deb as an example and cheerleader.  https://www.pacificfoods.com/food-service/  

In coffee shops it is so easy for us to be blind to anything outside the world that calling for our immediate attention. We relegate the customer's palate to a lowly place in the hierarchy of influence in the cafe and in so doing cut ourselves off from incredible insights into what it is we are actually serving. Today we talk about embracing the customer as experts and the benefit it has for your shop. 

Working in coffee can really wear on you. Often we find our motivation for the job is so low it is almost non-existent.  It could be you are the only barista that really cares about quality, or you want to advance but there's nothing available, or you might be consuming a lot of content from the industry but non of it seems to be helping. How do we regain a proper view of our situation and gain a healthy perspective on growth and motivation when it seems like things around us are conspiring to keep us down and stagnant? Today I want to offer up an assortment of thoughts and perspectives that will address these, and a few other things, that are often at the root of our difficulties in the shop. I hope this give you some clarity, empowers you, and motivates you to take the first step in the direction of finding joy where you are in your coffee journey  

It's Founder Friday and today we get to hear from the 2x Barista Champion of China and owner of M2M Roasters & Uni Uni Coffee , Jeremy Zhang. In this conversation we get a look into Jeremy's road to specialty coffee through competition and the founding of his coffee businesses M2M Roasters and Uni Uni Coffee.  We discuss the challenges that came with opening in a Nanjing's relatively new coffee market that is just waking up to specialty coffee, hiring and training staff, how they approach training, quality control, operations, and his goals and mission for coffee in China.  Jeremy's efforts are helping set the space for what specialty coffee can be in China and it' such an honor to get to talk with and learn from him on the show. Enjoy! Links:  Jeremy's Instagram  

It is easy for us to become jaded and to pass on our cynicism to the customer. How can we come along side them and be their guide tot this new world of specialty coffee and the your cafe? We chat a bit about this today on shift break.

Wholesale! It is a vital part of both your success as a roaster-retailer, and the success of specialty coffee globally. Setting up a program that is sustainable, true to your values, and serves your team and your customers well is an absolute priority. It is no small task to venture into the world of wholesale as there are a lot of complexities and hurdles that will need to be worked through along the way. Having a great foundation laid is the first step and  today's guest, Sarah Richmond, does a fantastic job laying that foundation for us. We discuss integrity, values, servant leadership, systems, pitfalls to avoid in wholesale, books you should read, and 5 key steps you need to take in setting up a program that will bring joy and growth to you, your team, your business, and your customers.  Honestly, Sarah is the kind of person any professional would want as a mentor and having her in the program is an absolute privilege.  Please listen deeply and enjoy!  LINKS: Books: Mindset by Carol Dweck Dream Team by Shane Snow Podcasts: Learning Leader w/ Ryan Hawk  

Competitions are great for their ability to energize, challenge, and foster growth in baristas. The question is, are we doing the same for our staff? We chat about this important issue today's edition of Shift Break!  

Baristas speak and we listen! Learning form others experiences and allowing the way we chart our course to be influenced by the best input from our peers is an essential element of healthy community. I was able to attend the Coffee Champs event in Nashville where I had many great conversations with professionals from all over the country. I recorded and am sharing 3 of those conversations. I interview Adam Jacksonbey of the soon-to-be-open "Tell Coffee" D.C., Kat Melheim of The Coffee People Zine and Roaster at Allegro Coffee in Denver, CO, and Kristina Jackson of Intelligentsia Coffee in Boston Mass.  We talk about what drives them to pursue a career in coffee, what makes a great barista, what makes a great leader, what challenges did they have to overcome in heir careers, and how do they want to leave their mark on the industry.  I hope you leave these interviews encouraged and inspired! Links: Adam: Twitter Kat: Coffee People Zine Allegro Coffee Instagram Kristina: Twitter Boston Intersectional Coffee Collective Intelligentsia       

There is always room for more clarity in communication. This is especially true in the coffee shop where so much vital information can fall through the cracks when it gets busy. Today we chat a bit about how duplication and repetition creates a better chance at getting cafe-wide adoption of any initiative. 

Our industry is blessed to have so many wonderful women contributing their greatness and inspiring us all. Laura Gonzalez knows this to be true and founded the Strong Women of Coffee project to help them tell their story and give them a voice. Today we chat with Laura about her experience in running this project and what she has learned along the way. We discuss common challenges women face in the industry, double standards, and also what practices we can adopt in the cafe that she believes would help give more opportunity to women and other marginalized groups. It was such pleasure to talk with Laura and I hope you gain some perspective and adopt some practices that make a difference in how you run your shop and lead your people.   Links: www.strongwomenofcoffee.com Follow on INSTAGRAM   

There is more to a business than just our vision and goals. When we create anything we are involved in a conversation. Today we chat about how to approach your goals and creative projects in a way that takes into account the big picture.

If we want healthy businesses that produce amazing coffee experiences then becoming better at training and teaching coffee needs to be a constant pursuit. There are hardly any books out there that speak directly to the situations coffee trainers find themselves in...until now! Anne F. Nylander has written the book "Training Principles for Specialty Coffee Professionals" and it acts as a guide book that is foundational for success as a trainer, and consequently the success of your trainees! In my conversation with Anne we go over each section of the small but mighty book and talk about the details behind each of the principles she writes about from her over 16 + years in coffee/consulting/training. Subjects include learning about learning styles, managing a room, dealing with disruption, planning, setting standards, training roles, and tracking performance.  I love that we get to start off the year with such a useful episode with a ton of actionable insight! Links: www.annefnylander.com Instagram Twitter Linkedin       

The Mud House stands as an amazing representation of where passion, genuine love of people, and a consistent pursuit of quality can take you. For 10 years now Casey and Jeremy Miller have been operating one of St. Louis' best coffee shops that gives their customers a taste of excellent coffee, food, and hospitality all under one roof.  In this conversation they talk candidly about a host of subjects related to their journey opening and running The Mud House. We discuss the challenges of setting up the business, setting up the initial menu, the evolution and organic growth of their company's structure, how they hire, knowing your strengths, allocating money for repairs, leading by example, their vision for the ideal guest experience, and so much more.  I am so pleased to have Casey and Jeremy cap off 2018 and I hope their words inspire you as we enter the new year! LINKS: WWW.THEMUDHOUSESTL.COM Instagram Twitter  

SHIFT BREAK #33 : As this year comes to an end and many of us are reflecting on 2018 and planning on what we want to pursue in 2019. As we think and put together goals there is one thing that we tend to miss, and in so doing rob ourselves and others of something beautiful. Today we will chat about accurate reflection and how to invest into areas that truly make a difference personally and professionally.  Thank you all for an amazing 2 years!

Your espresso machine is probably the most expensive thing you have in the shop. It is also the heart of your cafe's operation. Taking care of it should not be left to chance unless you want a pretty big repair bill or to have your ability to do business come to a complete stand still. To help us in our pursuit of maintaining a healthy espresso machine we are joined by the coffee industry's most experienced, respected, and knowledgable technician, Terry Ziniewicz!!! We will be talking about his top 10 best practices to make sure your espresso machine keeps working and looking beautiful for years to come. We talk about how to implement them and also how to empower your staff to take on some of these responsibilities. As this is airing on Christmas day, consider this a present from Terry, to you and your espresso machine!  Be sure to check the instagram post of this episode for details on how you can win a free one year "Baskets Gaskets, Screens, and Screws" subscription!  "U.S. shipping only"  Links: www.caffewerks.com Caffe Werks on Instagram   Upcoming Coffee Fest classes: Espresso Machine Preventive Maintenance Workshop Coffee Shop and Restaurant owner operators often don’t think about the basic preventative maintenance of equipment until it is too late and it is cutting into their profits. This introduction to basic espresso machine maintenance will save you money in both long and short term. Properly maintained equipment will last longer and provide a higher quality cup of coffee for your customer. This 2.5 hour informational course covers the basics of preventative maintenance that is essential to keep your espresso machine functioning properly. This class is brought to you by Caffewerks and also offers participants a special offer to receive a free login to the Caffewerks video library of how to's as well as discounts on allied products.     Advanced Espresso Machine Repair & Maintenance Workshop This hands on workshop focuses on the basic maintenance and repairs all café owner operators should know. Basic maintenance can save you hundreds of dollars in repairs that are quick and easy to remedy. Industry leader Terry Ziniewicz of Caffewerks will walk you through some of the most common repairs required to keep espresso machines in tip top shape and also provide valuable information on how to train your staff to be just as capable to troubleshoot common issues.  This workshop will cover and is not limited to the following: • Basic Functions of an Espresso Machine • Parts Definitions • Daily, Weekly & Monthly Cleaning Schedules • Brew Group Maintenance • Pump Adjustment & Replacement • Steam Valve Repair & Replacement • Adjust & Replace Pressurestat • Drain Maintenance • Water Flow Trouble Shooting  

SHIFT BREAK #32 : I love drink drills! They are an essential tool in any training I do because they work VERY well for bringing a up baristas practical bar skills and getting all staff on the same page. Today we are going to talk about what drink drills are and then cover some guidelines for conducting them effectively. When done well, and regularly, your baristas will be able to handle any scenario that comes their way.  This episode is based off a question from KTTS listener Kara Lozano of Mile Square Coffee in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.  Thanks, Kara!   

No matter where we are in specialty coffee, we have all benefited in some way from the influence of Starbucks and their immense impact on the world stage. Today we get to learn from someone who has not only been in specialty coffee since it first came on the scene in the 70's but has been at the forefront of Starbucks retail innovation and education for the better part of 23 years. I am so very honored to welcome to the show, Sr. Project Manager for Starbucks Global, Major Cohen!  To say he has a passion for coffee would indeed be an understatement. Major's passion, curiosity, and fierce devotion to coffee, baristas and the customer experience has helped steer this global coffee powerhouse into it's most progressive expressions beginning with projects as Roy st. Coffee and Tea, 15th Ave Coffee and Tea, and the Reserve Roastery.  In our discussion we cover the arch of his fascinating career. From his beginning a second career as a barista at 45 years of age - to gaining the trust of Starbucks executives to influence and educate global markets today. We talk about:  Mentorship, keys to success in his career, the unofficial history of Starbucks, what was the catalyst for the company moving into the "3rd wave" framework? The balance of being a team player and being and independent operator, What were the challenges of establishing these concepts? How do these high-end experiences influence the other Starbucks stores? What can we do to advocate for our staff and also provide a great customer experience?  There is a wealth of knowledge in this discussion. Consider this a short but densely packed mentorship session with one of specialty coffee's greatest success stories. I know you will walk away with an expanded mindset and a new found energy to approach your work with passion and curiosity.  Enjoy!   Links/resources: https://news.starbucks.com/ Email: [email protected]   Related episodes: Episode 121 : Working from Your Strengths   SUBSCRIBE HERE!    Click here to vote for Keys to the Shop for "Best Coffee Podcast" in the 10th Annual Sprudgie Awards!        STARBUCKS MISSION To inspire and nurture the human spirit – one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time.   VALUES With our partners, our coffee and our customers at our core, we live these values:       Creating a culture of warmth and belonging, where everyone is welcome.       Acting with courage, challenging the status quo and finding new ways to grow our company and each other.       Being present, connecting with transparency, dignity and respect.       Delivering our very best in all we do, holding ourselves accountable for results. We are performance driven, through the lens of humanity.   Gallup Q12 Questions Do you know what is expected of you at work? Do you have the materials and equipment to do your work right? At work, do you have the opportunity to do what you do best every day? In the last seven days, have you received recognition or praise for doing good work? Does your supervisor, or someone at work, seem to care about you as a person? Is there someone at work who encourages your development? At work, do your opinions seem to count? Does the mission/purpose of your company make you feel your job is important? Are your associates (fellow employees) committed to doing quality work? Do you have a best friend at work? In the last six months, has someone at work talked to you about your progress? In the last year, have you had opportunities to learn and grow?   Please Visit our Sponsors!   For the best in speciality coffee equipment: www.prima-coffee.com     For the most amazing non-dairy performance beverages: www.pacificfoods.com      

SHIFT BREAK #31 Regular staff meetings are one of the most important tools for energizing, equipping, informing, and affirming. In order to get the most out of these meetings we will be covering several tips that I have seen work wonders in conducting these gathers. With refinement and consistency the end result will be a more cohesive and well functioning cafe and an increase in staff morale.  Links to related episodes:  Episode 28:  Why it's Ok to be the Boss w/ Bruce Tulgan The One on One

Kids! When you open a shop you are bound to be serving these little hot chocolate drinking future baristas right along side their single-origin cortado drinking parents. The question is, are they welcome?How do we view them? How do you serve them and still serve your older clientele well? What if we want to focus more on the grown ups? What are some best practices in serving families? Today we are exploring the topic by interviewing two different owners of two different cafes (The Old Barracks & Lucabe Coffee) who take drastically different approaches to the issue of catering (or not catering) to kids in the coffee shop. We will talk about their business, vision, and the intentions behind the policies they have in place that they feel best serves their chosen demographic. Each of them are fantastic coffee professionals running excellent shops. Their advice to us from their experiences is invaluable.   Links: Lucabe Coffee Website                        Old Barracks Coffee Website Lucabe On Instagram                          Old Baracks Instagram  Lucabe Coffee on Facebook                  Old Baracks Facebook      Additional Links: https://www.coffeeculture.ie/consultancy/become-a-cafe-owner/ https://theoldbarracks.ie/spilling-the-beans/ https://theoldbarracks.ie/open-coffee-roastery/          

SHIFT BREAK #30 One of the most important thing you can have in your journey through the coffee industry is patience. One of the most deadly is passivity. Today we use a helpful analogy  to talk about trusting the process, playing the long game, building momentum, and advocating for yourself in the cafe.  Related episodes: The Barista Slump Advice for New Baristas The Sleepwalking Barista    

Negotiations...No matter what you do in coffee, you negotiate all the time. Whether it is for a raise, a better price from a supplier, or a lease for a new location. The question is not whether or not you negotiate, but do you do it well? Do you get taken advantage of? Do you put others on edge? The fact is that when we are faced with conflict around these small and large negotiations we often come in with an internal and then external posture that immediately ignites the situation and makes it harder, or impossible, to get what we want. This also leads to damaging our relationship with the other party. Today's guest, Kwame Christian is here to solve this problem for us! Not only is he the host of the wonderful, "Negotiate Anything" podcast, but he is also the author of the new best-selling book, "Nobody Will Play with Me: How to Use Compassionate Curiosity to Find Confidence in Conflict" In todays episode we dive into the compassionate curiosity framework  1. Acknowledging emotion  2. Getting curious with compassion 3. Engaging in joint problem solving We also unpack why it is necessary to deal with your own psychology first when entering a negotiation or conflict, clarifying what we actually want, we role play some scenarios for both baristas, and owners, and get deep into the mindset and methods needed to negotiate anything.  When it comes to business we need to always be trying to position ourselves in a way that will get the best possible outcome. By following the advice in this episode you will be firmly on the road to confidently doing just that.  LINKS: https://americannegotiationinstitute.com Book: Nobody Will Play with Me    

It’s a very special Founder Friday. I am thrilled to welcome to the show the new World Brewers Cup Campion (and first female WBrC Champ!), Emi Fukahori!!! Not only is Emi the WBrC campion but she also runs the world-class cafe MAME Coffee in Zurich? Switzerland w/ her partner (and 2x Swiss Barista Champ Mathieu Theis.  This conversation covers so much in term of Emi’s journey in coffee to this point. From discovering coffee, to competitions, to owning and runnnng a shop, we get to hear what she has learned through all her experiences that have made her the inspiration she is.  The first half we talk competition and go the behind-the-scenes of her amazing performance. We then talk about the world of coffee shops and her experiences and lessons learned from running MAME. She give a lot of great advice and insights. Theres a lot here so grab a cup and enjoy learning from World Brewers  Cup Champion, Emi Fukahori!    Links:  MAME Instagram MAME Facebook https://mame-coffee.com Emi's Winning Performance  

SHIFT BREAK #29 : On the road to starting a shop there are things you must learn and experience that will help you get established. Today, Tim Jones, Founder of Liturgy Beverage Company, joins us on the show for a quick look into the 5 most significant factors that helped him go from a barista to a business owner. Enjoy!  If you'd like to contribute to Liturgy's Kickstarter click the link below: https://twitter.com/LiturgyBeverage   Also find Time on Social media at the links below:  Facebook Instagram Twitter  

The Barista Manual, The Book of Knowledge, That Binder That Never Gets Updated...whatever you call it there is usually some assortment of documents lurking in the cafe that is meant to be a resource but is more a source of frustration. Writing a high quality manual for the shop is absolutely critical to establishing a baseline of expectations nd equipping the staff and leadership to successfully operate the  business day-in and day-out. Today we will be going over the top 10 things your manual must have to truly be useful as well as actually used.  I cannot overstate the importance of having a great barista manual. I hope this episode sets you up to write one that serves your cafe well!    Please visit the links below for further learning!    For resources on harassment and discrimination visit: The Coffee Too Project  Related Episodes: 4 Keys to an Effective Checklist 6 Truths About Power SOPs FTW 10 Steps to Being a People First Leader

SHIFT BREAK #28 : On this years Thanksgiving I am so grateful for all of you listening to this show and for the amazing guests who have shared their knowledge and wisdom with us all! This is simply a note to remember gratitude as it is key to a fulfilling career.  Links: Self Care 101  Finding Joy in Coffee w/ Nathanael May

Working the cash register is not often seen as legit barista work. We'd rather be on the machine because we are closer to the actual product. Fact is, the register is perhaps more important than the machine as it sets up the entire experience for the guest. Either they will get a great first impression or they will have a disappointing and frustrating one that colors the remainder of their visit. As a result of our view toward this section of the bar, baristas, managers, and owners alike, under-invest in it in favor of machine and drink training. There is a real opportunity to level up your shops service and quality by re-prioritizing the register to a place of honor. Today we will discuss these things plus 6 skills that should be taught and practiced at the register to ensure the guest gets a fantastic experience and that the shop runs smoothly and delivers a truly special experience.  Enjoy! Links: Episode 45: Simple. Powerful. Hospitality. w/ Philip Paul Turner   

SHIFT BREAK #27 : When people come in to our shops they have certain expectations shaped by experiences in restaurants, bars, and other cafes. The average experience is not so great and we have an opportunity to exceed expectations. One way we do this is but the quality of attentiveness and attention we give. Today we will talk about one way to help ensure that you are always focused on the needs of the customers first and foremost.  Enjoy!  

We really do tend to put too much emphasis on what is wrong with us and others. We focus on our weaknesses and simply overlook our strengths. This missing a huge piece of what makes a successful and fulfilling career. Do you want to be able to identify your strengths and use them at work? Would you like to be able to spot the strengths of the people on your team and help them view their roles through the lens of their natural talents? Then today's episode is for you! We are exploring all of these things with Strengths Finder guru Lisa Cummings of Lead Through Strengths. We cover details of what Strengths Finder assessment is and then talk about practical ways to understand and apply it in the cafe that will unlock new levels of morale and productivity for you and your staff. Don't miss this one!  LINKS: www.leadthroughstrengths.com Lead Through Strengths Podcast!  The Assessment : www.gallupstrengthscenter.com List Of Adjectives – Lead Through Strengths – StrengthsFinder  

SHIFT BREAK #26 : Gossip, we have all done it and in the moment it feels good to commiserate, but gossip is a poison that destroys culture and relationships in the cafe. When things annoy you and the opportunity arises to participate in tearing down a co-worker, what should you do instead? How should we be investing into building community in the cafe by building each other up? Today we talk about this very critical issue and I hope it helps you address it with your staff and in your own career.  Link: Ep 52 : Solving Coworker Conflict w/ Tom Henschel

SHIFT BREAK #25 : When the weather turns cooler and the holidays get closer, business gets busier. Ironically, at the same time as our shop pick up steam, we seem to lose it. Our capacity to show hospitality tends to drop in the presence of heavy traffic but it is precisely these times where great hospitality is most needed. On this edition of Shift Break we talk about this issue and some solutions to implement as we enter into the busy holiday season.     Need training or consultation? Email: [email protected] 

Social media is a vast landscape filled with both great and terrible representations of people's brands. At best we enhance a customer's view of us and create an even bigger fan -At worst we introduce confusion, boredom, or anger into the relationship and drive people away. In order to give customers a truly excellent representation of your business on-line you need to know the fundamental best practices that lay the foundation for success. In today's episode we chat with coffee marketing professional, Jenn Chen Jenn guides us through several critical areas that we need to be on top of with our company's social media. When should you outsource? What are the absolute no-no's of social media? How do you engage with people online? All of these and more are answered by one our industries brightest and most sought after media pros.  Enjoy! LINKS: www.jennchen.com  Twitter: @THEJENNCHEN IG: @THEJENNCHEN Airline Study Brands That Take a Stand When to Outsource Blog Posts  

Training baristas effectively is a hugely important task. When done well, it sets them up for long term success in the cafe and in their career. When done poorly, it leaves them without essential tools for understanding the nature of coffee and the work of a barista which leads to frustration and stagnation. If you want learn to excel as trainers then look no further because we have the privilege of talking with 2009 WBC Champion and barista trainer, Gwilym Davies! In this episode we talk about his hospitality based training, the evolution of training approaches over the years, why we should check our ego, needs vs. wants, how to structure your training sessions, preparing yourself to train others, and many other very helpful and practical insights that will help you become a great and effective trainer! LINKS: www.gwilymdavies.cz Instagram @gwilymbarista Twitter @gwilymbarista     

It's Founder Friday! Today we get to sit down and learn from the founders of Phil and Sebastian Coffee Roasters, Phil Robertson and Sebastian Sztabzyb! In the course of 11 years, Phil and Sebastian have gone from a small farmers market stall, to an award winning and internationally respected roaster retailer with 5 thriving cafes, a robust wholesale program, and roasting and sourcing operation that regularly pushes the boundaries of quality coffee and raises the bar for the specialty coffee industry.  In this conversation we talk about an incredible range of subjects from the challenges and lessons of their formative years with staffing, leadership, operations, and service standards- to their philosophy and practices in green sourcing , quality control, roasting, and training. We cap it all off with some really great advice for those looking to venture into the world of cafe/roastery ownership.  I am in awe of the pace that Phil and Sebastian sustain in their pursuit of great coffee and after listening to this interview I think you will agree. Be sure to visit their website to learn even more!  Links:  www.philsebastian.com Instagram: @Philandseb Twitter: @philandseb  

Shift Break #24 : Every day, in coffee shops around the world, baristas notice things that are broken, see things that can be improved, and have ideas that could take the cafe to a new level. The problem is that so much of it never gets heard. Today we will be talking about how managers can give voice to these ideas and also how baristas should go about relaying them. Amazing things happen when you make improvement a grassroots effort when barista and manager are working to help each other make the best cafe possible.     

Coffee and cocktails. Baristas and Bartenders. These are basically two sides of the same bar. Today we are going to get to know the craft cocktail and bartending side a little better with the help of coffee and spirits professional, Amanda Whitt! We will be talking about Amanda's journey to becoming a pro in both disciplines, the way bartenders think about drink building and flavor, making great coffee cocktails, mistakes we make combining the two, and tons of insights and tips for how to successfully integrate spirits into your beverage program. Plus we chat about the use of cold brew in coffee cocktails, etiquette for using others recipes, and tresources for further learning.   When these two worlds successfully meet it showcases both the coffee and the spirits in new delicious ways. I hope this episode inspires some great drinks!  Links: Amanda's Instagram   www.gazregan.com The Bartenders Bible -Gary Regan I'm Just Here For The Drinks -Sother Teague  https://www.uscoffeechampionships.org/cigs-qualifying-competition/  

SHIFT BREAK #23 : We all have had moments where a customer orders something "Off Script" and depending on our attitude we can either see it as an annoyance and hassle, or as an opportunity. Today we discuss how we can see these alterations and requests as opportunities for showing genuine hospitality and truly serving the needs of the guest and what we can practically do to make it a matter of policy.   

Coffee shops have become a symbol of gentrification, a process that is made up of a mix of opportunism, policy, and politics resulting in the displacement of communities. As people who tout the love of community and people as being core in our values this issue should worry us. Understanding gentrification is key to being able to take steps in fighting it. Today on the show we are talking with one of the world foremost authorities on the issue of gentrification, Dr. Stacey Sutton. Dr. Sutton is Assistant Professor of Urban Planning and Policy in the College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs (CUPPA) at the University of Illinois Chicago. In this conversation we discuss her work in researching gentrification, the misconceptions people have about it, what is the difference between urban renewal and gentrification, what mindsets do we harbor in retail that contribute to the momentum of gentrification, what is coffee's role in this and how can we take the first steps to being part of the solution?  I am so honored to have Dr. Sutton on the show. This is a huge subject and I would encourage you to research further and use this episode as a springboard for learning more about the unpleasant realities of gentrification. I have provided lots of links below to help in this process. Please do reach out to you local schools of urban planning and neighborhood associations to start a dialogue. The coffee shop is often called the 3rd place. A location where people go to gather that is not work or home that contributes to the deep bonds of a community. We cannot hope to offer a great third place unless we put as much effort into how we place ourselves and serve in communities as we do in the coffee we aim to serve those communities. When we do this I think we will see disinvestment and displacement begin to slow, and coffee, for these communities, can move from a symbol of displacement, to a true expression of place.  LINKS: Dr. Sutton's Faculty Page  Talk at TEDx NY Dr. Sutton Lecture at CUPPA (Spotty Audio) EMAIL: [email protected] Resource: Next City Journal   Links to Published Research (Prefaces) Sutton, Stacey. 2018. “Gentrification and the Increasing Significance of Racial Transition in New York City 1970-2010” Urban Affairs Review  Sutton, Stacey. 2014. “Are BIDs Good for Business? The Impact of BIDs on Neighborhood Retailers in New York City” Journal of Planning Education Research, 34(3): 309-324.  Sutton, Stacey. 2010. Rethinking Commercial Revitalization: A Small Business Perspective Economic Development Quarterly, 24(3): 352-371. Sutton, Stacey. 2007. Dissertation: “Contested Spaces and Countervailing Practices: Inner-City Revitalization and the Agency of Neighborhood Minority Entrepreneurs”    Podcasts: Episode 25 of Boss Barista: "There was Nothing Here Before This!"  Ashley and Jasper talk with great clarity about the ugliness of  gentrification    

SHIFT BREAK #22 :  One of the main sources of stress and chaos in the coffee bar is the absence of clearly defined standards and procedures for the work.  Turn over is, in part, due to a constant feeling of uncertainty related to the quality and accuracy of ones work. Developing and well thought out set of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) is one of the most important elements in solving this problem and many other problems in the cafe. They create clarity, certainty, and achievable goals. Today we talk about the importance of SOPs and some of the main steps you will need to take to successfully put them into practice.    Be sure to also listen to these episodes: KTTS 057: SOPs FTW KTTS 007: 4 Keys to an Effective Checklist    Visit our Sponsor:  Square Payroll www.square.com/go/keys     

Mobile coffee service is an incredibly important element to a successful coffee operation. Be it farmers markets, luncheons, weddings, or concerts- breaking out of your four walls is the perfect way to get the word out about your brand to your community. It is, however, not without its challenges and does require you to take account of some key differences that you must prepare for to be successful. That's where today's guest Tim Cox comes in. As Co-owner of a brick and mortar shop (Communion Cafe) AND owner of a mobile coffee business (Rail Cart Espresso)he is uniquely positioned to teach us all about what it takes to find success in mobile coffee. We discuss the technical needs, menu design, pricing, site prep, contracts, managing customer expectations, and much more.  Get ready for mobile coffee success!  Links: www.communioncafe.com  

SHIFT BREAK #21 : Working a busy bar AND keeping it clean is one of the biggest challenges we face in the cafe and the importance of how we present the space to customers cannot be understated. Working clean is the key to having a clear head, a ready bar, efficient service, and a cafe that communicates security to the customer. Today we chat about some elements of working clean that will help you create a culture of cleanliness that both you and your customers will love.    Related Episodes: Episode 84: Crushing the Rush Episode 2 "Mastering Your Workflow" w/ Ryan Soeder  4 Keys to Creating an Effective Checklist    

Sprudge is here!!! Founders, Jordan Michaelman and Zachary Carlsen join me on the show talk about their new book, "The New Rules of Coffee". In this conversation we unpack their creative process deciding what to include in the book, their goal for the content and tone taken in writing these "rules", and what this book means for both consumers and pros. We dive into select rules from each section of the book and discuss everything from snotty baristas, coffee's colonial heritage, mine and Zachary's grandmother's "special" coffee, why you don't need fancy equipment to make great coffee at home, and how coffee can save the world.  Jordan and Zachary have been on the leading edge of what is going on in specialty coffee for the better part of a decade through their work with Sprudge. The distillation of what they have learned, seen, and experienced as integral members of the specialty community is written out in an approachable, gently challenging, and refreshingly practical way in this book. With consumers being both our livelihood  as professionals, and the main audience for this book, it would behoove us to take note of these New Rules of Coffee.  Enjoy!   Links to learn more about Sprudge and the book tour: www.sprudge.com Sprudge on Instagram Become a Stockist: [email protected]     This Episode is brought to you by: www.prima-coffee.com www.pacficfoods.com