Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Java Gem Coffee Drive Thru on August 3, 2009 at 6:50am

I opened a successful coffee shop in 07, with no prior experience as an owner, although I grew up in the food/drink business, If I would have been single at the time, we would still be open. It was great, scary moment opening the doors for the first time wondering if people are going to come in, since this was my first food/drink business ever! I have had other business's mostly computer or web related and was a service business where we went to peoples place of work or their home, this time I had to depend on people coming to my place, actually getting out of their house or place of work and coming to here to make the money and had to be able to keep them there and have them coming back! I miss that place and wish I didn't have to close it. I am working on my second one now and wont have that problem this time! We are looking to open in September or October, hopefully before Halloween. I think the main this you need to have the drive and determination to run a business and be smart about it, knowing what it costs you to run the place and making sure you have money to pay your self at the end, otherwise what is the purpose of opening a business if you cant pay your self, well unless your really really rich and you just want to do it for the love of it, that would be great too!

Permalink Reply by Jon Mitchell on August 3, 2009 at 7:17am

That's cool. But you had experience in the food/drink business prior? As in you worked in some coffee shops or what? I've never worked in a coffee shop before. I have had some training (formally), but I want to know if people think I'm nuts for opening a shop with no previous experience in this industry.

Cyber Infusion Internet Cafe said:

I opened a successful coffee shop in 07, with no prior experience as an owner, although I grew up in the food/drink business, If I would have been single at the time, we would still be open. It was great, scary moment opening the doors for the first time wondering if people are going to come in, since this was my first food/drink business ever! I have had other business's mostly computer or web related and was a service business where we went to peoples place of work or their home, this time I had to depend on people coming to my place, actually getting out of their house or place of work and coming to here to make the money and had to be able to keep them there and have them coming back! I miss that place and wish I didn't have to close it. I am working on my second one now and wont have that problem this time! We are looking to open in September or October, hopefully before Halloween. I think the main this you need to have the drive and determination to run a business and be smart about it, knowing what it costs you to run the place and making sure you have money to pay your self at the end, otherwise what is the purpose of opening a business if you cant pay your self, well unless your really really rich and you just want to do it for the love of it, that would be great too!

Permalink Reply by Java Gem Coffee Drive Thru on August 3, 2009 at 8:20am

Never worked in a coffee shop before and may have only been in 1 or 2 BEFORE I decided to open my shop, now I make it a point to go in every one I see and route out shops on the way to places so I can see others and to also support all the locals and make sure everyone else does as well!

Jon Mitchell said:

That's cool. But you had experience in the food/drink business prior? As in you worked in some coffee shops or what? I've never worked in a coffee shop before. I have had some training (formally), but I want to know if people think I'm nuts for opening a shop with no previous experience in this industry.

Cyber Infusion Internet Cafe said:

I opened a successful coffee shop in 07, with no prior experience as an owner, although I grew up in the food/drink business, If I would have been single at the time, we would still be open. It was great, scary moment opening the doors for the first time wondering if people are going to come in, since this was my first food/drink business ever! I have had other business's mostly computer or web related and was a service business where we went to peoples place of work or their home, this time I had to depend on people coming to my place, actually getting out of their house or place of work and coming to here to make the money and had to be able to keep them there and have them coming back! I miss that place and wish I didn't have to close it. I am working on my second one now and wont have that problem this time! We are looking to open in September or October, hopefully before Halloween. I think the main this you need to have the drive and determination to run a business and be smart about it, knowing what it costs you to run the place and making sure you have money to pay your self at the end, otherwise what is the purpose of opening a business if you cant pay your self, well unless your really really rich and you just want to do it for the love of it, that would be great too!

Permalink Reply by Ken Idskou on August 4, 2009 at 6:42am

I do not think you are crazy for doing this because I am in the same boat. Working on my business plan and doing a lot of research on the industry and coffee houses in my local area such as what they lack and what they are good at. Best of luck with your venture.

Permalink Reply by Jon Mitchell on August 4, 2009 at 6:55am

Ken -

Where are you at in your process? Do you have any experience in food service at all?

Permalink Reply by Ken Idskou on August 6, 2009 at 5:55pm

I am in the middle of writing my business plan. The only food service experience I have is from working in fast food 20 years ago. I have been wanting to start my own business for many years. I had no idea what business to embrace though. After reading an article in the Sunday paper about a local coffee roaster/shop owner, the entrepreneurial juices started flowing again.

Jon Mitchell said:

Ken -

Where are you at in your process? Do you have any experience in food service at all?

Permalink Reply by Brady on August 6, 2009 at 7:38pm

A question for those here that are contemplating opening a shop with no prior coffee experience...

Why?

Why would you do this? Why would you make such a huge investment, risk, and time commitment in something that you have no idea that you'd enjoy or be good at? I know we make it look like fun, and I personally love it... but its not for everyone.

Why leave something like this to chance? Why not go work in a shop for a while to see if you like it?

Not challenging or trying to be negative, I'm just really curious.

Permalink Reply by Clay Eiland on August 6, 2009 at 7:59pm

Take your time. Really look around and understand equipment. To many times I see cafe owners put money in all their finish out only to have a small portion for equipment. Having experience in running a restaurant will help because a lot of the same applies. IF there is anyone you know that can help you with labor hours, cogs, and waste that would help a lot. We usually visit customers on startup and train depending where they are so a roaster that can do that would be gold. Having a passion for coffee is only a very small step. The business side is where you really need experience. There are groups that donate time to help with business plans and analyzing an ongoing business. You should be able to find some in Conway. The business side is the downfall to most shops. Hope that helps.

Permalink Reply by Jon Mitchell on August 6, 2009 at 8:31pm

Hey thanks Clay. Are you in Texas? I believe my wife and I are friends with your cousin Jessica and her husband Cody. If that's not you....then sorry.

Clay Eiland said:

Take your time. Really look around and understand equipment. To many times I see cafe owners put money in all their finish out only to have a small portion for equipment. Having experience in running a restaurant will help because a lot of the same applies. IF there is anyone you know that can help you with labor hours, cogs, and waste that would help a lot. We usually visit customers on startup and train depending where they are so a roaster that can do that would be gold. Having a passion for coffee is only a very small step. The business side is where you really need experience. There are groups that donate time to help with business plans and analyzing an ongoing business. You should be able to find some in Conway. The business side is the downfall to most shops. Hope that helps.

Permalink Reply by Michael Canton on August 12, 2009 at 11:14am

I trained in the biz for 6 years before I purchased a failing shop. I knew from the beginning it was not what I wanted in the long run but knew my training was not yet complete. After four years of running it (and learning not just what to do but more importantly what NOT to do) I sold it and am now opening up what I can only describe as my dream cafe.

You will spend much more money opening up a brand new one and worse yet it WILL be your training. Perfect everything first before you put forth the cash! There are lots of inexpensive cafes out there for sale!

Permalink Reply by Brewed Expressions Coffee House on September 22, 2009 at 6:31am

If your starting out w/o any shop know how then I suggest going to a Coffee Fest near you. We waited 3 yrs after we opened to attend. So much great info. Don't get caught up in the high of the show. There are many great salesman/saleswomen who are there to take your money.
Stick w/ your plans.
Were in our 6th year & just rounding the profit corner. Made allot of mistakes but received allot of great learning experiences. Pay tons of attention to the business side of coffee. The service side depends on you attitude to customers & staff. Don't get dragged down by the "poor man Latte's, or the WIFI snipers.. It happens in every business. Take a look at Mc D's .
Good luck