Advertise on podcast: Keys To The Shop : Equipping Coffee Shop Leaders

Last year we did many interviews live at Coffee Fest. I got to chat with Ian WIlliams of the famed sneaker/coffee concept Deadstock Coffee in Portland Oregon while on the show floor.  In this brief conversation Ian shared some very helpful insights around marketing, entrepreneurship, and staying true to values and culture while growing a business.  Deadstock began as a cart and has operated a sneaker-themed coffee shop in the Old Town Chinatown neighborhood since August 2015. Since then the company has won numerous accolades. Ian and his team have steadily grown the business through genuine hospitality, unique partnerships, and establishing themselves as a leading voice for black owned coffee shops.  Ian has been speaking on coffee, marketing, diversity, and business around the country for a while now and you can find him on the Coffee Fest circuit this year again doing just that.  I hope this interview helps you greatly and stay tuned for more interviews like this soon as we get ready to go to the first Coffee Fest show of 2024 in NYC! Links: Ian on IG: @eeweezie https://deadstockcoffee.com/   Related episodes:  SPECIAL: Coffee Fest Live! Chicago 2022 Part 2 w/ Marissa Childers, Jess Gulino, and Tony Dreyfuss SPECIAL! Part 1| Coffee Fest Anaheim 2023 w/ Kenneth Davids and Madeleine Longoria Garcia SPECIAL: Coffee Fest Live! Chicago 2022 Part 1 w/ Luke Waite, Kris Christian, and Perfect Cube Sponsor: www.coffeefest.com Use code KEYS15 to get 15% off your General Admission!  

It is very difficult to take criticism. Especially when you may be fully aware of the imperfections of those offering the feedback on your performance. Trust me, I have lived the rage of those moments in full, and have come to see how many opportunities I wasted being upset vs taking the feedback and using it to improve and grow.  Today on Shift break we will be talking about how we should take the imperfect criticism and feedback we receive and own our part and our response... especially when we occupy the position of barista and may be young in the industry.    Listen to these related episodes next: SHIFT BREAK : The Scourge of Nitpicking Bosses SHIFT BREAK : Candid Advice for Baristas, Managers, and Owners The Courage to Correct Baristas Are Not Magic An Essential Habit for Every Coffee Shop Worker Owners need community too! Want to be a part of a dynamic group of fellow coffee shop owners all working together for each other's success?  Apply for Key Holder Coaching Group today!    Hey Managers!  In my consulting work through KTTS Consulting, working with managers as a career coach is one of the services I offer.   Would you like to work with me 1:1 to help you thrive in coffee? Click below for a discovery call and lets have a conversation!  https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min Thank you to out sponsors! Custom branded apps for your coffee shop: www.espressly.co   The best and most revered espresso machines on the planet: www.lamarzoccousa.com    

Special announcement! Applications are still open for the next round of Key Holder Coaching Groups!  The Key Holder Coaching Group is a select group of coffee shop owners who love coffee, people, and want to see their business and others succeed!    Insights, perspective, accountability, and growth.   These are just some of the benefits I have seen change lives through consulting and over my years facilitating workshops and trainings. ​ ​I have personally been in a group for podcasters for the last 6 years and have also hired coaches, consultant, and been a part of an online community. It has all been indescribably transformational. ​ ​For the last few years I have wanted to bring to more people, that same kind of transformational experience in a small group setting and now we are now ready to launch the second round of peer-to-peer mastermind groups! ​ ​About the groups: ​ ​🔑 Key Holder Coaching Groups will be hosted by myself and consist of a curated group of 5-6 coffee shop owners. ​ ​🔑 We will meet together 2x per month for 2 hours over a 6 month period. 12 calls total! ​ ​🔑 This structured group will allow each member to have multiple hot seat opportunities to present specific issues to the group and gain insight, feedback and direction to help them develop themselves, their people, and their business. ​ ​🔑 In addition we will be consistently updated on each others progress and have opportunity to speak into each others lives. ​ ​🔑 Key Holder Coaching members will have access to each other via the Signal app as well.   ​ ​I will be keeping applications open for the rest of this month (February) ​ ​Selected members will be notified end of February and beginning of March. New rounds of groups will begin in March!     If you have questions or want to reach out for anything else, including one-on-one coaching and special consulting projects then email chris@keystotheshop.com. -Chris Deferio  President | Host  Keys to the Shop   Want to be a part of a dynamic group of fellow coffee shop owners all working together for each other's success?  Apply for Key Holder Coaching Group today!    A couple testimonials:    "The most beneficial aspect of the KHCG has been getting the opportunity to explore topics from multiple perspectives. I have found that even If I am not in the “Hot Seat” I am gaining valuable information that is relative to my business in some way. KHCG has proven to be a safe space for me to be vulnerable, increase my self-worth and positively adjust my mindset to get the most out of the experience. As business owners, we are, without a doubt, our most valuable asset. Investing in ourselves, stepping outside of our patterns and opening up to fellow business professionals within our field will absolutely bring fresh perspectives to solve problems and reminders to celebrate wins. You do not have to do it all or do it all alone, KHCG will be a valuable ally on your journey to success."   -Sunny Cover   Founder ~ The Boss The Peekskill Coffee House Peekskill Coffee Roasting Company Ryze Collective Inc     "I've been part of quite a few different mentorship programs, and coaching programs and the Key holder coaching group has by far provided the most value. I loved being part of a group with businesses that are all so different because you learn so much that isn't just applicable now, but what might apply 1 or 2 years down the road. Chris does a great job facilitating the group in a way that everyone feels comfortable contributing, and can be honest and vulnerable. I'm blown away by the generosity of the group!" -Susannah Winters Hilton Head Coffee  

People don't leave jobs, they leave managers. This is an old but still true saying that, for me, underscores the importance of selecting the right person to take on a management role in the cafe. A bad manager makes the work miserable, and a good manager makes the work rewarding and just like a conductor, orchestrates the talents of the players into a harmonious experience. But how do you find this person and what should you be looking for when it is time to put an manager in place? This week we are going to discus several key character traits and behaviors you will want to make certain are present in the person you have in mind to be a manager. Your coffee shop's future actually does depend on it! We cover: Why we get management wrong Your role in a manager's success Personal resilience Patience with change and trust Communication and Self awareness Ability to earn trust Big big picture + detail focus Caring and Kindness Related episodes:  383 : How to Train a Manager 261 : The Basics of Managing Managers 378: 5 Areas to Develop in Managers 229 : 7 Tips for New Managers 141 : The 27 Challenges Managers Face w/ Bruce Tulgan   Want to be a part of a dynamic group of fellow coffee shop owners all working together for each other's success?  Apply for Key Holder Coaching Group today!    Hire Keys to the Shop Consulting to work with you 1:1 to transform your coffee shop operations, quality, and people.   Custom consulting for your unique business. Schedule a free discovery call now! https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min   Thank you to our amazing sponsors! Get the best brewer and tool for batch espresso, iced lattes, and 8 minute cold brew! www.groundcontrol.coffee   The world loves plant based beverages and baristas love the Barista Series! www.pacificfoodservice.com

When some people see a need or an opportunity, they dream about who will meet it or make it happen. Others, like today's guest on Founder Friday, task it upon themselves to take action and create the reality they want to see for the benefit of others. Kymme is owner of Bushwick Grind, a speciality coffee shop and cafe, established in 2015. Here she hosts the 2Fish5Loaves community fridge which provides hundreds of pounds of free food to local residents. She is also a technologist with a tenure of over 30 years in the IT sector, employed with Weight Watchers International for 25 years, currently in the role of Principal Technical Project Manager and is a graduate of Hofstra University School of Business , LI NY. Over the nearly 10 years Bushwick Grind has been awarded 2022 HEINZ Black Kitchen Cast Iron Trophy, 1010 Wins Small Biz Pitch Competition, 2018 Brooklyn Cornerstone Biz of the Year, and many more honors due to Kymme and her team's dedication to community, quality, and nourishing others through the companies varied services.  In this episode we will be talking all about how Kymme first started on this journey, what she has learned along the way, and her advice for how to run an impactful people-focused cafe business. We discuss: The genesis of Bushwick Grind Learning coffee and focusing on simple offerings Community, networking, and taking action to make a difference Introducing food and working with other organisations The importance of having a strong team that vibes with your vision Working full time outside of running the shop. How?! Harnessing the power of ideation to unlock possibilities  Becoming a mentor and paying it forward Links: https://www.bushwickgrind.com/ IG: @bushwickgrind   Related episodes: 337: Founder Friday w/ Diana Martinez of Cafe Calle, Los Angeles 236 : Founder Friday! w/ Meil Castagna-Herrera & Curtis Herrera of Cafe Corazon! 316 : Founder Friday! w/ Jim Sanders of Heartwood Coffee Roasters, Cleveland, Ohio 359 : Founder Friday! w/ Nigel Price of Drip Coffee Makers NYC Hire Keys to the Shop Consulting to work with you 1:1 to transform your operations, quality, and people. Schedule a free discovery call now! https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min Thank you to our amazing sponsors! Get the best brewer and tool for batch espresso, iced lattes, and 8 minute cold brew! www.groundcontrol.coffee   The world loves plant based beverages and baristas love the Barista Series! www.pacificfoodservice.com  

There is nothing as frustrating as working on and getting served from a busy bar that was not designed appropriately. From size, placement, equipment selection, and more, there are many areas to consider when designing a space that runs well. Unfortunately bars get built quickly and without the right kind of thought put in at the start.  Today on Shift break we will be talking a two of the most important considerations you need to make sure you nail if you want your baristas and the business to mitigate stress and be set up for success    Listen to these related episodes: 367 : Designing Your Coffee Shop for Community w/ Dr. Lisa Waxman The Wrong Way to Improve Morale 240 : What to do before your Build your Bar 051 : The Power of Design in Coffee w/ Liz Chai OWNERS! DO YOU NEED HELP AT YOUR SHOP? In my consulting work through KTTS Consulting, Layout and design are one of the main conversations we have. Working to create clarity, understanding, and systems for success in leadership has a compound effect on the rest of the business. Would you like to work with me 1:1 to help your cafe thrive in quality, operations, and people?  Click below for a discovery call and lets have a conversation!  https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min Thank you to out sponsors! Custom branded apps for your coffee shop: www.espressly.co   The best and most revered espresso machines on the planet: www.lamarzoccousa.com    

Looking back is not only a great way to take stock of how you have developed professionally and as a person, but also to bring back into focus what we have to be thankful for. A couple years back my wife convinced me to let her interview me about my career and along the way we also talk about how coffee brought us together. I typically shy away from telling stories of my own career, opting instead to highlight the guests or the principles we talk about on the show. But my wife was right, and this conversation was well received when it first came out 2 years back.   So today we are re-airing this fun episode for your listening pleasure. Let this inspire you to examine your story and to really allow yourself to find joy in the blessing of the people in your life that have joined you along the way! We cover: How I got into coffee Competitions and how they shaped me Lessons I have learned in my career How we met through latte art The why and how of starting KTTS   Links:  Apply for the next Key Holder Coaching Group!   Related episodes:  323 : Reflecting on 5 Years of Keys to the Shop w/ my Wife Lynnsy Deferio 328 : Relationships and Resiliency w/ Xavier Alexander of Metric Coffee 367 : Designing Your Coffee Shop for Community w/ Dr. Lisa Waxman 331 : The 7 Deadly Sins of my Career   Want to be a part of a dynamic group of fellow coffee shop owners all working together for eachother's success?  Apply for Key Holder Coaching Group today!      Want to run an amazing coffee shop? Hire Keys to the Shop Consulting to work with you 1:1 to transform your coffee shop operations, quality, and people.   Custom consulting for your unique business. Schedule a free discovery call now! https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min   Thank you to our amazing sponsors! Get the best brewer and tool for batch espresso, iced lattes, and 8 minute cold brew! www.groundcontrol.coffee   The world loves plant based beverages and baristas love the Barista Series! www.pacificfoodservice.com

It's the age old question, "Should we be able to use our phones behind the bar?". Simple right? Well, yes in some ways but the way we approach answering this question has downstream impact on the overall experience both our staff and guests have in our shops, and in turn how they view the industry itself.  Today on Shift break we will be talking about why it is best practice to have policies that help us avoid distractions and bad optics behind the bar for the sake of keeping tuned into the day's work, creating a consistently great impression, and being able to manage the details of the service we offer to the guests.  Listen to these related episodes: Using Slow Times Well as a Barista Managing Expectations in Systems The Problem with "Should" Reasonable Expectations Example > Words Things the Owner Can't do for You DO YOU NEED HELP IN YOUR SHOP? In my consulting work through KTTS Consulting, management and leadership structures are one of the main conversations we have. Working to create clarity, understanding, and systems for success in leadership has a compound effect on the rest of the business. Would you like to work with me 1:1 to help your cafe thrive in quality, operations, and people?  Click below for a discovery call and lets have a conversation!  https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min Thank you to out sponsors! Custom branded apps for your coffee shop: www.espressly.co   The best and most revered espresso machines on the planet: www.lamarzoccousa.com    

John Luke Roberston is the founder and roaster at Kings Lane Coffee in West Monroe, LA. You may be familiar with the TV show Duck Dynasty that follows the lives of John Luke's family and their duck call business, Duck Commander. As John Luke grew and pursued his education, he developed a love for coffee and charted his own course by diving straight into owning and running a multi-cafe and coffee roasting business, Railway Coffee. I was honored to get to consult and coach him through the beginnings of this venture and over many years Railway continued to offer great coffee and service through its shops and roasting business, even expanding to a mobile trailer.  Eventually as life changed, John Luke sold the business but kept roasting and is now pursuing roasting and collaborative prjects through Mapmaker Coffee. Most recently collaborating with the family business and releasing a coffee that quickly sold out. This is a great conversation detailing an intense and immersive experience entering into the coffee industry and finding a place in roasting, and learning incredibly valuable lessons about coffee, management, business, and connecting with people along the way.  We cover: Consistency as key in the specialty coffee industry, and importance of training staff Seeking help and delegating responsibilities  Focusing on your strengths and prioritizing your time. Expanding to a mobile operation  Logistical and management challenges Public attention and social media following do not always translate into increased sales Why building a loyal customer base is most important Roasting coffee offers the opportunity to create unique blends and collaborate with others to meet different customer preferences. Links:  www.johnlukerobertson.com @johnluke_robertson    Related episodes:  412 : Founder Friday! w/ Lem Butler and Kyle Ramage of Black and White Coffee Roasters 295 : Founder Friday! w/ Justin Shepherd of Spencers Coffee, Bowling Green, KY 217 : Should you roast your own Coffee w/ Joe Marrocco of List & Beisler 196 : Understanding Customer Preferences w/ Peter Giuliano Transcript ROR #23 : How to Close the Industry-Consumer Flavor Gap w/ Phil Beattie, Dillanos Coffee Roasters   Want to run an amazing coffee shop? Hire Keys to the Shop Consulting to work with you 1:1 to transform your coffee shop operations, quality, and people.   Custom consulting for your unique business. Schedule a free discovery call now! https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min   Thank you to our amazing sponsors! Get the best brewer and tool for batch espresso, iced lattes, and 8 minute cold brew! www.groundcontrol.coffee   The world loves plant based beverages and baristas love the Barista Series! www.pacificfoodservice.com

Can you have too much of a good thing? When it comes to managers and bosses in the coffee shop the answer is a resounding and exasperated YES! Why do we do needlessly multiply leaders in the shop like Oprah giving our free cars and as a result frustrate our staff and the leaders themselves? Today on Shift break we will be talking about the issue of having too many leaders and managers in the shop, why it is a problem,  and what a healthy approach to delegating leadership looks like.  Listen to these related episodes: SHIFT BREAK: Questions Are Not Threats SHIFT BREAK: Your Manager Has No Time To Manage! Being the Point of Clarity 425 : Some Thoughts on Supporting Your Manager 261 : The Basics of Managing Managers Do You Need to be the Best Barista in Your Cafe? DO YOU NEED HELP IN YOUR SHOP? In my consulting work through KTTS Consulting, management and leadership structures are one of the main conversations we have. Working to create clarity, understanding, and systems for success in leadership has a compound effect on the rest of the business. Would you like to work with me 1:1 to help your cafe thrive in quality, operations, and people?  Click below for a discovery call and lets have a conversation!  https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min Thank you to out sponsors! Custom branded apps for your coffee shop: www.espressly.co   The best and most revered espresso machines on the planet: www.lamarzoccousa.com    

Coffee competitions have grown to be a dominant force for how professionals and consumers alike view the role of a barista, the industry, and coffee itself. Mindsets, businesses, and the supply chain itself has been shaped by the influence of competitions and today, understanding this world is critical to understanding coffee.  To talk about this today we are joined by one of the most respected, prolific, and knowledgable WCE Competition head judges out there, Scott Conary! As Owner of award-winning Caffe Driade, Perennial & Open Eye Café in Chapel Hill, NC; along with Wholesale Roastery Carrboro Coffee Roasters; Scott Conary has had many opportunities to travel, teach and learn about coffee production, harvest, selection, blends and trends for the last 25+ years. He is an active educator in the Industry in most all disciplines and consults for companies, restaurants, and cafes nationally & around the world while also serving as a WCE Representative and Certified Head Judge for the World Barista Championship since 2005. He has been a head Judge & Instructor for the Alliance for Coffee Excellence & the Cup of Excellence program since 2015. Scott trains Barista’s and coffee professionals as a consultant, in the U.S. and around the world, for skill, knowledge and competition. In this episode we get to discuss competitions, judging, what makes a "good" barista, and the role these things have played and continue to play (both good and bad) in shaping the environment we operate in We cover: The Mentorship Aspect of Competitions The Evolution of Competitions and the Role of Judges The Influence of Baristas and competitions on the Supply Chain and Public Perception of Coffee The Universal Takeaways from Competitions Defining a "Good Barista" The Importance of Connection and Care Technical Innovation and Connecting with Customers Utilizing Innovation and Making a Connection Expanding Beyond Barista Competition Aligning with Organizations and Seeking Transparency Celebrating Coffee and Affecting Change Progress through Relationships and Collaboration Getting Involved and Opening Doors Links: https://carrborocoffee.com/ https://caffedriade.com/ https://openeyecafe.com/ https://www.perennial.cafe/ Instagram: @coffeescott Want to run an amazing coffee shop? Hire Keys to the Shop Consulting to work with you 1:1 to transform your coffee shop operations, quality, and people.   Custom consulting for your unique business. Schedule a free discovery call now! https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min Thank you to our amazing sponsors! Get the best brewer and tool for batch espresso, iced lattes, and 8 minute cold brew! www.groundcontrol.coffee   The world loves plant based beverages and baristas love the Barista Series! www.pacificfoodservice.com  

Caring for people and their experience, both as employees and as customers, is at the heart of a successful coffee shop. In order to consistently pursue that, an operator needs to have a strong grounding of personal values that directs their decisions and helps them weather the storms of entrepreneurship. Today we are talking with someone whose mission to facilitate community, caring, and connection through coffee has been a driving force behind the success of his company.  Nick Kassouf is the founder and owner of Tru Bru Organic Coffee and Humbowl Juice bar. With la roastery and locations in Orange, CA and Laguna Hills, CA, plus Henderson, NV, Nick and his team are keeping busy providing nourishing and meaningful spaces for their guests to slow done and enjoy coffee and good company.  In the years of operating and growing the coffee business and starting the juice bar, Nick has had to grow just as much personally. Today we will be exploring the story of Tru Bru and how this family run business runs and the why behind the operations that has led to their success.  I love the focus Nick has on creating a business that delivers more than just a product but reinforces a way of life that I think we all could benefit from adopting.  We discuss: Family History and Origins of True Brew Creating a people-first culture and focusing on hospitality  Hiring and Behavioral-Based Interviewing Choosing the right people who embody the mission and values of the business  Being willing to lead from the front and develop oneself in all aspects of the business  Addressing toxicity and cultural challenges early on to prevent negative impacts on the business and team. Taking action and not succumbing to complacency as the key to maintaining a healthy culture and driving business growth.  Why creating a caring and vibrant culture is crucial for fostering human connection in a coffee shop. Genuineness and a genuine care towards others Links: https://trubrucoffee.com/ IG: @TRUBRUCOFFEE Related episodes: Founder Friday! Youth, Foster Care, and Human Connections Through Coffee | w/ Miah Sommer of Astute Coffee in Omaha, NE 380 : Founder Friday! w/ Cary and Cindy Arsaga of Arsaga’s Coffee Roasters 337: Founder Friday w/ Diana Martinez of Cafe Calle, Los Angeles 327: Founder Friday! w/ Phuong Tran of Lava Java 194 : Encore Episode! Leadership in the Cafe: 10 Steps to being a People First Leader | Aired January 17 2017 Hire Keys to the Shop Consulting to work with you 1:1 to transform your operations, quality, and people. Schedule a free discovery call now! https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min Thank you to our amazing sponsors! Get the best brewer and tool for batch espresso, iced lattes, and 8 minute cold brew! www.groundcontrol.coffee   The world loves plant based beverages and baristas love the Barista Series! www.pacificfoodservice.com