Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Keys To The Shop : Equipping Coffee Shop Leaders
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SHIFT BREAK! The Logistics of Keeping Your Promises | 22 oct. 2026 | 00:09:18 | |
We promise people a lot of things. Whether they are implied by marketing, or stated directly, the biggest differentiator between a cafe that is trusted and one that is not will be whether you have a plan for doing what you say you will do. Related episodes:
KEYS TO THE SHOP CONSULTING Helps You Find Joy Book a free call now: https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
SPONSORS!
Thank you to out sponsors! Everything you need for back of the house operations https://rattleware.qualitybystainless.com/
The best and most revered espresso machines on the planet: www.lamarzoccousa.com
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| 632: Addressing the Biggest Challenge Cafe Owner's Face | 20 oct. 2026 | 00:26:28 | |
People. This is what owners consistently say is one of the biggest challenges they have in running their shops. Why is this? Well, I was just at Coffee Fest in Dallas/Fort-Worth and heard basically the same thing form many experienced owners.
Keys to the Shop Consulting: Consulting to help you and your coffee business thrive Book a free call now: https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
SPONSORS! "Your Brand Cafe" for all your Cups, Sleeves printing and much more!
The worlds best plant based beverages! The Barista Series!
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| SB Cafe Owner! You Don't Have to Keep Up With Others | 15 oct. 2026 | 00:08:18 | |
Am I behind? This was a question I was asked by a coaching client recently. They worried that they may be not to where most people "should be" in their coaching. I have talked with thousands of people in my 3 decades of coffee and one thing that persists is the nagging feeling that you are not as good as others and that you need to keep pace with them or some terrible undefined thing will happen. Whether it is the progress you make in coaching or the growth of your cafe, your situation and journey is yours and no one else's. Related episodes:
KEYS TO THE SHOP CONSULTING Helps You Find Joy Book a free call now: https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
SPONSORS!
Thank you to out sponsors! Everything you need for back of the house operations https://rattleware.qualitybystainless.com/
The best and most revered espresso machines on the planet: www.lamarzoccousa.com
| |||
| Special! Interview and Commentary From Coffee Fest Los Angeles 2026! w/ Kevin Mejia of Bevel Coffee | 15 oct. 2026 | 00:21:49 | |
Coffee Fest LA was awesome and I am finally getting this episode out right before we fly out to Dallas! Stay tuned. In this episode I sat down with one great presenter and give some of my own thoughts on the show and lessons you can apply in your business and area. Kevin Mejia grew up in Monrovia, CA as a skateboarding, cycling, and fitness lover. It was through his love for cycling where he discovered specialty coffee around 2013. Fast forward to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kevin's career started to take a shift when he decided to start learning how to roast out of his garage by watching countless amounts of coffee content online and taking classes with other well known roasting teachers. Kevin's interest in roasting really started to take shape when he started to discover Honduran specialty coffee. As the child of Honduran immigrants in the US, the discovery of something from his parent's home country that he could share with the world became very intruiging to Kevin. In, 2022 Kevin and his fiancé, Dulce, took what little money they had in savings and purchased a 3kg Mill City Roaster and started Bevel Coffee. From that point, Bevel operated as cottage food operation selling roasted coffee and as a pop-up coffee cart which went everywhere from birthday parties and weddings, all the way to farmer's markets and other pop-ups throughout LA. This journey eventually led Kevin and Dulce to the patio of a pizza shop called Prime Pizza in Altadena, where they began to build their roots in the city for a little over a year before the Eaton Fire came through and devastated the community. In an effort to continue the Bevel Coffee journey, Kevin and Dulce stayed put, and kept serving the community, attending any and every event related to the neighborhood, and fostering stronger relationships. Eventually, a year and half after the fires, the pop-up finally became Bevel's first brick-and-mortar on Feb 28 of 2026. Kevin's journey in coffee is very reminiscent of his years spent skateboarding and mountain biking. It required passion, community, and a "get up and do it again," attitude that ultimately led to achieving the goal of opening a cafe where he could share all the coffees he loves with a community he loves even more. In this interview we discuss his cafe's history and his own growth and development as an owner and operator.
Links:
Go check out Coffee Fest Trade Shows Today!
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| 631 Ashley Derrick: The Joys and Challenges of Buying an Existing Cafe | 13 oct. 2026 | 00:49:02 | |
Many owners start in the business of coffee shops by buying an existing cafe. Sometimes there is a lot of work to do. Other times, the cafe is already a successful, well love, and established cafe. The later example is actually a bit more daunting since now there is legacy, community, and great staff to steward, all while learning the ropes yourself! Today is a story of how one woman took on this challenge to take over an iconic cafe and what she has learned thus far. I am excited to be talking with the new owner of the iconic cafe, Taproom Coffee, Ashley Derrick! Ashley and her spouse, Alison, have lived in the East Lake neighborhood of Atlanta GA for 23 years. Ashley has been a Realtor for 19 of those years and has consistently taken her clients to Taproom Coffee - long before she wanted to buy it. Doing good work feeds her soul and she loves spending time with community members trying to figure out how to change the world - all while sipping on a cup of coffee.
Links: https://www.taproomcoffee.com/ https://www.instagram.com/taproomcoffee/
Consulting to help you and your coffee business thrive. Book a free call now: https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
SPONSORS! "Your Brand Cafe" for all your Cups, Sleeves printing and much more!
The worlds best plant based beverages! The Barista Series!
| |||
| SHIFT BREAK! Let Your Cafe Be | 08 oct. 2026 | 00:09:25 | |
In the ecosystem of entrepreneurship we glorify and practice a certain kind of paranoia about our businesses. We are never happy and always suspecting we are behind, or broken in some secret way that we need to find. The result is that, even when we arrive to a good place, our ability to recognize it and rest in it is nonexistent. Today on Shift Break we will be talking about why we sometimes need to just let our businesses be. Rest in what has been made and grown and demonstrate to those you lead how to enjoy and be fully present in the moments that you all have worked hard to bring to bear. Related episodes:
KEYS TO THE SHOP CONSULTING Helps You Find Joy Book a free call now: https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min SPONSORS!
Thank you to out sponsors! Everything you need for back of the house operations https://rattleware.qualitybystainless.com/
The best and most revered espresso machines on the planet: www.lamarzoccousa.com
| |||
| 630: Two Dollar Drip and The Fight For Accessible Menus w/ Tim Riley of Heavy Water Coffee, Los Angeles, CA | 05 oct. 2026 | 00:43:21 | |
The coffee shop experience is one that should be accessible to a wide variety of people. How we go about building a welcoming and hospitable space is not only the work of interior design, workflow, and service standards; it also extends to the menu and what we offer. Enter the 2 dollar drip. An item that represents an intention put into action to offer something to anyone who has less but still wants to experience the beauty of what a coffee shop has to offer its community. One of the people championing this item and the philosophy behind it is the founder of Heavy Water Coffee in LA, Tim Riley. Tim has over a decade of coffee experience from barista, to roaster, and now brick and mortar cafe owner. Heavy water is a family run business that is the culmination of Tim's coffee journey and the lessons of balance between quality, excellence, and genuine hospitality. Today we are going to talk with Tim all about his career, how he has grown as a persona and a professional over the years, and what is behind the 2 dollar drip and the neighborhood focus of Heavy Water. Links: @heavywatercoffee https://www.instagram.com/heavywatercoffee/?hl=en
Consulting to help you and your coffee business thrive. Book a free call now: https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
SPONSORS! "Your Brand Cafe" for all your Cups, Sleeves printing and much more!
The worlds best plant based beverages! The Barista Series!
| |||
| 629: Founder Friday! Stephanie Jones of Mrs. Jones Cold Brew is The OG Cold Brew Queen! | 02 oct. 2026 | 00:42:38 | |
Cold brew only is not a normal thing for a coffee bar. It takes deep dedication, innovation, and focus to drive that concept and offer customers out of the ordinary that they both remember AND love. For ten years now our guest has been blazing a trail for cold brew lovers to experience a fun, hospitable, pure, and deliciously crafted cold brew menu. Consulting to help you and your coffee business thrive. Book a free call now: https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
SPONSORS! "Your Brand Cafe" for all your Cups, Sleeves printing and much more!
The worlds best plant based beverages! The Barista Series!
| |||
| SHIFT BREAK! Don't Build Compromise Into Your Business | 01 oct. 2026 | 00:09:10 | |
What happens when we build into our systems exceptions for the less than desirable habits of staff? Well for starters we rob that staff member of the opportunity to grow and receive correction to meet the standards. We then rob our business of reach its potential as we now erode the foundations from the inside. Lastly we rob the customer of a great experience because all the little compromises and permissions we give to issues that should be addressed, make their way into the cup. Today on Shift Break we will be talking about why operators should not build into their systems and policies, exceptions and leeway that further promotes bad behaviors and habits. It is important that we consistently call ourselves and others up to high standards rather than lowering them for avoidance or convenience. Related episodes:
KEYS TO THE SHOP CONSULTING HELPS YOU MAKE YOU CAFE BETTER! Book a free call now: https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min SPONSORS!
Thank you to out sponsors! Everything you need for back of the house operations https://rattleware.qualitybystainless.com/
The best and most revered espresso machines on the planet: www.lamarzoccousa.com
| |||
| 628: Start With Reasonable Hospitality | 01 oct. 2026 | 00:26:37 | |
We love extremes. Novel services, events, specials, and stunts to catapult us into the consciousness of our customers seem to be what we favor and are fixated on. After all, it proves that we are different, better, and that we care about people and quality!...right? Not exactly.
Consulting to help you and your coffee business thrive. Book a free call now: https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
SPONSORS! "Your Brand Cafe" for all your Cups, Sleeves printing and much more!
| |||
| SHIFT BREAK! The Danger of Fast-Track Training | 25 sept. 2026 | 00:11:43 | |
The temptation for fast-track people during training is a very common one. I would go so far as to say that, half of the reason we see the inconsistencies and quality of product and service issues we do today, comes from pushing people through training and putting them on bar when they are not equipped to succeed. Today on Shift Break we will be talking about the danger of "fast-track" training, some of the reasons I believe are behind this practice, and how we can guard against it so we are actually training people well and setting up them, and our guests for success. Related episodes:
KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS APPLY TO THE 2026 KHCG COHORT! For cafe owners, the way you and your coffee shop grow is determined by how you are supported and nourished by community. The trouble is most owners are isolated, stressed, and are in desperate need of a type of community that is not just generally related to business but is made up entirely of other coffee shop owners who know exactly where you are coming from. That is what Key Holder Coaching Groups are all about. A small group of invested coffee shop owners who are dedicated to encouragement, accountability, insights, and helping each other grow. Our groups are limited 6-7 experienced cafe owners and we meet 12 times over 6 months in our Zoom sessions where we focus on member led topics that are actually relevant to the real life of a cafe owner. Each member received 2 hours of one-on-one coaching through this time and has access to our Circle community where they can keep the connection and conversation going between our calls. I would love to talk with you about how this unique group can make a difference in your life. Look below for a few testimonials of past members and click this link to apply for the Fall 2026 cohort! APPLY TO THE 2026 KHCG COHORT!
Testimonials: My name is Susanna Winters and I am the owner and co -founder of Hilton Head Island Coffee Roasters. We're based out of Hilton Head, South Carolina. I've been part of Chris's key holder coaching group for I guess about five months now. And prior to that, I have participated in a few different business groups and business mentorship programs. And this coaching group has by far been the best and provided some of most value that we've received honestly in the two and a half years that we've been in business. And I think it's a combination of being paired with other business owners who are all at different places in their business. It really helps us take this big picture approach as well as get that really nitty gritty feedback, not only of what we need right now, but also what we might need a year from now. And the group that I was part of, it was honestly just so much fun and so much fun getting to know this group. Everyone provided so much value and they were honest and they were vulnerable and they were so transparent with their businesses and everyone really took that extra step to support each other, which is one of the reasons why I'm signing up to do it for another six months. But I absolutely recommend this coaching group. I think it's one the best things out there for new coffee shops, old coffee shops, anyone looking to elevate their business to the next level. -Susannah Winters/ Hilton Head Coffee Roasters
For us looking back, I think we were at a point of growth that we needed to take the steps to grow, but we were wearing ourselves out and burnout was starting to set it. I feel if we didn't reach out for help with Chris we would have greatly struggled. Both during the coaching and as a result of the coaching. Working with KTTS consulting has been monumental for us as individuals and as a business. We were able to get insight and confidence in areas that we felt like we were really struggling in. We took huge steps with hiring a manager and equipping them to help lead. Chris' structure behind servant leadership really matched well with how we wanted to lead so it allowed a very cohesive development of our foundation for goals, foundations, requirements and leadership. I would HIGHLY recommend KTTS to anyone regardless if you are struggling for feeling as though you are on top of the world with your business. I feel that no matter where you are in your journey, there's always room for growth. I even believe a few years down the road and we are continuing to grow that we would do it again and learn to continue to keep growing in a healthy was as a business and staying healthy as entrepreneurs -Jessica Nguyễn Queen City and Co.
I made the decision to become a part of the Key Holder Coaching Group (KHCG) primarily to establish connections with other professionals who are actively engaged in the coffee business. I have found that through coaching I have been able to improve my productivity, streamlining my operations and have a healthier life/work balance. 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 / Peekskill Coffee Roasting Company / The Peekskill Coffeehouse
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| 627: Why You Need to Work IN Your Business | 23 sept. 2026 | 00:20:18 | |
We hear the advice from the popular author of "The E-Myth" saying that we should work ON our business, not IN it. While I understand and agree with the point being made to not get caught up in tasks perpetually that make you a bottle neck, I believe we have taken it a bit far as of late where many want to skip a crucial step in the process of their growth. Today we are going to be talking about why you need to, and always will work IN your business and why that is a good thing for everyone. How effective we are in working on the business later is based on how well we work in it now. Don't believe the myth that you can be a hands of automated leader. Your people and your business deserve better.
"KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS"! Are you a coffee shop owner looking to join a community of other owners to help bring perspective, insight, encouragement, and accountability in a well curated setting? Then you need to apply to join Key holder Coaching Groups! Applications are now open for Spring 2026 Cohort: Click below to learn more: APPLY TO KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS
KEYS TO THE SHOP CONSULTING HELPS YOU MAKE YOU CAFE BETTER! Book a free call now: https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
SPONSORS! "Your Brand Cafe" for all your Cups, Sleeves printing and much more!
The worlds best plant based beverages! The Barista Series!
| |||
| SHIFT BREAK! Vibes Are a Cheap Replacement For Meaning | 19 sept. 2026 | 00:09:58 | |
I hear the word "vibes" used as a stand in for a lot of different things. Most often it is used to describe a somewhat ambiguous sense of good feelings or peace of mind around a culture or a person. The idea is great, but the issue is that without having specific and meaningful definitions of what brings those vibes to fruition, we end up with more problems than good times. Today on Shift Break we will be talking about how you can avoid making critical decisions around hiring, work, and the operation of your cafe based solely on "vibes", and start to make wise decisions based on standards that are based on more than a feeling.
KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS APPLY TO THE 2026 KHCG COHORT! For cafe owners, the way you and your coffee shop grow is determined by how you are supported and nourished by community. The trouble is most owners are isolated, stressed, and are in desperate need of a type of community that is not just generally related to business but is made up entirely of other coffee shop owners who know exactly where you are coming from. That is what Key Holder Coaching Groups are all about. A small group of invested coffee shop owners who are dedicated to encouragement, accountability, insights, and helping each other grow. Our groups are limited 6-7 experienced cafe owners and we meet 12 times over 6 months in our Zoom sessions where we focus on member led topics that are actually relevant to the real life of a cafe owner. Each member received 2 hours of one-on-one coaching through this time and has access to our Circle community where they can keep the connection and conversation going between our calls. I would love to talk with you about how this unique group can make a difference in your life. Look below for a few testimonials of past members and click this link to apply for the Fall 2026 cohort! APPLY TO THE 2026 KHCG COHORT!
Testimonials: My name is Susanna Winters and I am the owner and co -founder of Hilton Head Island Coffee Roasters. We're based out of Hilton Head, South Carolina. I've been part of Chris's key holder coaching group for I guess about five months now. And prior to that, I have participated in a few different business groups and business mentorship programs. And this coaching group has by far been the best and provided some of most value that we've received honestly in the two and a half years that we've been in business. And I think it's a combination of being paired with other business owners who are all at different places in their business. It really helps us take this big picture approach as well as get that really nitty gritty feedback, not only of what we need right now, but also what we might need a year from now. And the group that I was part of, it was honestly just so much fun and so much fun getting to know this group. Everyone provided so much value and they were honest and they were vulnerable and they were so transparent with their businesses and everyone really took that extra step to support each other, which is one of the reasons why I'm signing up to do it for another six months. But I absolutely recommend this coaching group. I think it's one the best things out there for new coffee shops, old coffee shops, anyone looking to elevate their business to the next level. -Susannah Winters/ Hilton Head Coffee Roasters
For us looking back, I think we were at a point of growth that we needed to take the steps to grow, but we were wearing ourselves out and burnout was starting to set it. I feel if we didn't reach out for help with Chris we would have greatly struggled. Both during the coaching and as a result of the coaching. Working with KTTS consulting has been monumental for us as individuals and as a business. We were able to get insight and confidence in areas that we felt like we were really struggling in. We took huge steps with hiring a manager and equipping them to help lead. Chris' structure behind servant leadership really matched well with how we wanted to lead so it allowed a very cohesive development of our foundation for goals, foundations, requirements and leadership. I would HIGHLY recommend KTTS to anyone regardless if you are struggling for feeling as though you are on top of the world with your business. I feel that no matter where you are in your journey, there's always room for growth. I even believe a few years down the road and we are continuing to grow that we would do it again and learn to continue to keep growing in a healthy was as a business and staying healthy as entrepreneurs -Jessica Nguyễn Queen City and Co.
I made the decision to become a part of the Key Holder Coaching Group (KHCG) primarily to establish connections with other professionals who are actively engaged in the coffee business. I have found that through coaching I have been able to improve my productivity, streamlining my operations and have a healthier life/work balance. 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 / Peekskill Coffee Roasting Company / The Peekskill Coffeehouse
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| 626: Why You Are Not Getting Ahead in Your Career | 16 sept. 2026 | 00:35:25 | |
We all have ambitions and hopes for our career but time passes and we don't see any progress. It would be a mistake to chalk this up to fate instead of a lack of progress that comes from a lack of intentional actions as well as our underlying beliefs. Today we are going to explore what some of those beliefs and actions look like to help you unlock the potential of your career and make meaningful advancements.
KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS! Are you a coffee shop owner looking to join a community of other owners to help bring perspective, insight, encouragement, and accountability in a well curated setting? Then you need to apply to join Key holder Coaching Groups! Applications are now open for Spring 2026 Cohort: Click below to learn more: APPLY TO KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS
KEYS TO THE SHOP CONSULTING HELPS YOU MAKE YOU CAFE BETTER! Book a free call now: https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
SPONSORS! "Your Brand Cafe" for all your Cups, Sleeves printing and much more!
The worlds best plant based beverages! The Barista Series!
| |||
| SHIFT BREAK! It's Got To Hurt If It's To Heal! : The Pins and Needles of Positive Change | 10 sept. 2026 | 00:09:12 | |
All too often we are likely to stick with the comfortable and known dysfunction or the habitual neglect of important areas of our business, than to take the uncomfortable but needed step of fixing and bringing life into those areas. In fact, I believe avoidance of taking action on those areas in need of attention is the first step in business failure. Today on Shift Break we will be talking about embracing the pain associated with bringing attention, resource, and life back into areas that have been cut off and neglected and why doing so is in your coffee shop's best interest. (Episode title credit to Urgl. IYKYK)
KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS APPLY TO THE 2026 KHCG COHORT! For cafe owners, the way you and your coffee shop grow is determined by how you are supported and nourished by community. The trouble is most owners are isolated, stressed, and are in desperate need of a type of community that is not just generally related to business but is made up entirely of other coffee shop owners who know exactly where you are coming from. That is what Key Holder Coaching Groups are all about. A small group of invested coffee shop owners who are dedicated to encouragement, accountability, insights, and helping each other grow. Our groups are limited 6-7 experienced cafe owners and we meet 12 times over 6 months in our Zoom sessions where we focus on member led topics that are actually relevant to the real life of a cafe owner. Each member received 2 hours of one-on-one coaching through this time and has access to our Circle community where they can keep the connection and conversation going between our calls. I would love to talk with you about how this unique group can make a difference in your life. Look below for a few testimonials of past members and click this link to apply for the Fall 2026 cohort! APPLY TO THE 2026 KHCG COHORT!
Testimonials: My name is Susanna Winters and I am the owner and co -founder of Hilton Head Island Coffee Roasters. We're based out of Hilton Head, South Carolina. I've been part of Chris's key holder coaching group for I guess about five months now. And prior to that, I have participated in a few different business groups and business mentorship programs. And this coaching group has by far been the best and provided some of most value that we've received honestly in the two and a half years that we've been in business. And I think it's a combination of being paired with other business owners who are all at different places in their business. It really helps us take this big picture approach as well as get that really nitty gritty feedback, not only of what we need right now, but also what we might need a year from now. And the group that I was part of, it was honestly just so much fun and so much fun getting to know this group. Everyone provided so much value and they were honest and they were vulnerable and they were so transparent with their businesses and everyone really took that extra step to support each other, which is one of the reasons why I'm signing up to do it for another six months. But I absolutely recommend this coaching group. I think it's one the best things out there for new coffee shops, old coffee shops, anyone looking to elevate their business to the next level. -Susannah Winters/ Hilton Head Coffee Roasters
For us looking back, I think we were at a point of growth that we needed to take the steps to grow, but we were wearing ourselves out and burnout was starting to set it. I feel if we didn't reach out for help with Chris we would have greatly struggled. Both during the coaching and as a result of the coaching. Working with KTTS consulting has been monumental for us as individuals and as a business. We were able to get insight and confidence in areas that we felt like we were really struggling in. We took huge steps with hiring a manager and equipping them to help lead. Chris' structure behind servant leadership really matched well with how we wanted to lead so it allowed a very cohesive development of our foundation for goals, foundations, requirements and leadership. I would HIGHLY recommend KTTS to anyone regardless if you are struggling for feeling as though you are on top of the world with your business. I feel that no matter where you are in your journey, there's always room for growth. I even believe a few years down the road and we are continuing to grow that we would do it again and learn to continue to keep growing in a healthy was as a business and staying healthy as entrepreneurs -Jessica Nguyễn Queen City and Co.
I made the decision to become a part of the Key Holder Coaching Group (KHCG) primarily to establish connections with other professionals who are actively engaged in the coffee business. I have found that through coaching I have been able to improve my productivity, streamlining my operations and have a healthier life/work balance. 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 / Peekskill Coffee Roasting Company / The Peekskill Coffeehouse
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| 625: 5 Ways To Make Your Coffee Taste Better | 07 sept. 2026 | 00:42:03 | |
The quality of your coffee is one of the main reasons people choose your cafe vs another. It is the baseline expectation customers have for a specialty coffee shop and today, in spite of our abundant resources and access to information and tools, we are still far from consistently meeting, let alone exceeding, those expectations. On the show today we will cover 5 ways your cafe can make your coffee and your whole menu taste better. I do believe we have claimed victory too soon and have conflated procuring quality products with producing quality products. I hope this episode makes you think and begin to implement intentional systems and cultural norms around quality that actually delivers!
KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS! Are you a coffee shop owner looking to join a community of other owners to help bring perspective, insight, encouragement, and accountability in a well curated setting? Then you need to apply to join Key holder Coaching Groups! Applications are now open for Spring 2026 Cohort: Click below to learn more: APPLY TO KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS
KEYS TO THE SHOP CONSULTING HELPS YOU MAKE YOU CAFE BETTER! Book a free call now: https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
SPONSORS! "Your Brand Cafe" for all your Cups, Sleeves printing and much more!
| |||
| 624: Founder Friday! The Power of Inclusion w/ Lindsay Wrege of 321 Coffee in Raleigh, NC | 05 sept. 2026 | 00:47:14 | |
One of the coolest things about coffee is how it can be used as a catalyst for change. Today we are going to be talking with someone who has built one of the best examples of how a business with a vision can make real progress for inclusion. We discuss
Links:
KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS! Are you a coffee shop owner looking to join a community of other owners to help bring perspective, insight, encouragement, and accountability in a well curated setting? Then you need to apply to join Key holder Coaching Groups! Applications are now open for Spring 2026 Cohort: Click below to learn more: APPLY TO KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS
KEYS TO THE SHOP CONSULTING HELPS YOU MAKE YOU CAFE BETTER! Book a free call now: https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes: SPONSORS! "Your Brand Cafe" for all your Cups, Sleeves printing and much more!
| |||
| SHIFT BREAK! It's The Way You Say It: Tips For Improving How People Receive Your Words | 03 sept. 2026 | 00:09:29 | |
You may have the best advice and information, but then your delivery can often fall flat or even have the opposite effect. This is very common in the cafe leadership environment where things are busy and our emotions feed into how we speak. Today on Shift Break we will be talking about how to start paying attention to and adjusting the spirit behind the words you speak and how to make practical adjustments so what you say will be effective.
KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS APPLY TO THE 2026 KHCG COHORT! For cafe owners, the way you and your coffee shop grow is determined by how you are supported and nourished by community. The trouble is most owners are isolated, stressed, and are in desperate need of a type of community that is not just generally related to business but is made up entirely of other coffee shop owners who know exactly where you are coming from. That is what Key Holder Coaching Groups are all about. A small group of invested coffee shop owners who are dedicated to encouragement, accountability, insights, and helping each other grow. Our groups are limited 6-7 experienced cafe owners and we meet 12 times over 6 months in our Zoom sessions where we focus on member led topics that are actually relevant to the real life of a cafe owner. Each member received 2 hours of one-on-one coaching through this time and has access to our Circle community where they can keep the connection and conversation going between our calls. I would love to talk with you about how this unique group can make a difference in your life. Look below for a few testimonials of past members and click this link to apply for the Fall 2026 cohort! APPLY TO THE 2026 KHCG COHORT!
Testimonials: My name is Susanna Winters and I am the owner and co -founder of Hilton Head Island Coffee Roasters. We're based out of Hilton Head, South Carolina. I've been part of Chris's key holder coaching group for I guess about five months now. And prior to that, I have participated in a few different business groups and business mentorship programs. And this coaching group has by far been the best and provided some of most value that we've received honestly in the two and a half years that we've been in business. And I think it's a combination of being paired with other business owners who are all at different places in their business. It really helps us take this big picture approach as well as get that really nitty gritty feedback, not only of what we need right now, but also what we might need a year from now. And the group that I was part of, it was honestly just so much fun and so much fun getting to know this group. Everyone provided so much value and they were honest and they were vulnerable and they were so transparent with their businesses and everyone really took that extra step to support each other, which is one of the reasons why I'm signing up to do it for another six months. But I absolutely recommend this coaching group. I think it's one the best things out there for new coffee shops, old coffee shops, anyone looking to elevate their business to the next level. -Susannah Winters/ Hilton Head Coffee Roasters
For us looking back, I think we were at a point of growth that we needed to take the steps to grow, but we were wearing ourselves out and burnout was starting to set it. I feel if we didn't reach out for help with Chris we would have greatly struggled. Both during the coaching and as a result of the coaching. Working with KTTS consulting has been monumental for us as individuals and as a business. We were able to get insight and confidence in areas that we felt like we were really struggling in. We took huge steps with hiring a manager and equipping them to help lead. Chris' structure behind servant leadership really matched well with how we wanted to lead so it allowed a very cohesive development of our foundation for goals, foundations, requirements and leadership. I would HIGHLY recommend KTTS to anyone regardless if you are struggling for feeling as though you are on top of the world with your business. I feel that no matter where you are in your journey, there's always room for growth. I even believe a few years down the road and we are continuing to grow that we would do it again and learn to continue to keep growing in a healthy was as a business and staying healthy as entrepreneurs -Jessica Nguyễn Queen City and Co.
I made the decision to become a part of the Key Holder Coaching Group (KHCG) primarily to establish connections with other professionals who are actively engaged in the coffee business. I have found that through coaching I have been able to improve my productivity, streamlining my operations and have a healthier life/work balance. 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 / Peekskill Coffee Roasting Company / The Peekskill Coffeehouse | |||
| 623: Coffee Content Overload! What Matters Most When Consuming Content Today | 02 sept. 2026 | 00:28:59 | |
Today we have an impossibly vast range of resources and content about anything you need to learn or know about coffee and coffee shops. What a time to be alive! The issue that comes with these accessible and abundant resources is the issue of learning but never applying or growing. We have become people who seek information as the end in itself, not the means to an end On this episode I am going to give you some perspective on why we tend to collect content but very rarely apply it, and talk about a framework for approaching the overwhelming amount of advice and instruction so you are more disciplined and get to actually see the benefit that content tends to promise, but only application can deliver.
KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS! Are you a coffee shop owner looking to join a community of other owners to help bring perspective, insight, encouragement, and accountability in a well curated setting? Then you need to apply to join Key holder Coaching Groups! Applications are now open for Spring 2026 Cohort: Click below to learn more: APPLY TO KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS
KEYS TO THE SHOP CONSULTING HELPS YOU MAKE YOU CAFE BETTER! Book a free call now: https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes: SPONSORS! "Your Brand Cafe" for all your Cups, Sleeves printing and much more!
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| SHIFT BREAK! Don't Give Your Staff Invisible Targets | 28 août 2026 | 00:11:39 | |
If we want our staff to succeed, we have to give them clear target to aim for. Unfortunately shocking number of cafes have what I would describe as invisible targets that only appear once the arrow is released. No wonder managers and other staff feel that winning at work is a rigged game. In today's Shift Break we will talk about the importance of providing clear targets, and how to build momentum and confidence in your staff as they grow in their ability to hit them.
KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS APPLY TO THE 2026 KHCG COHORT! For cafe owners, the way you and your coffee shop grow is determined by how you are supported and nourished by community. The trouble is most owners are isolated, stressed, and are in desperate need of a type of community that is not just generally related to business but is made up entirely of other coffee shop owners who know exactly where you are coming from. That is what Key Holder Coaching Groups are all about. A small group of invested coffee shop owners who are dedicated to encouragement, accountability, insights, and helping each other grow. Our groups are limited 6-7 experienced cafe owners and we meet 12 times over 6 months in our Zoom sessions where we focus on member led topics that are actually relevant to the real life of a cafe owner. Each member received 2 hours of one-on-one coaching through this time and has access to our Circle community where they can keep the connection and conversation going between our calls. I would love to talk with you about how this unique group can make a difference in your life. Look below for a few testimonials of past members and click this link to apply for the Fall 2026 cohort! APPLY TO THE 2026 KHCG COHORT!
Testimonials: My name is Susanna Winters and I am the owner and co -founder of Hilton Head Island Coffee Roasters. We're based out of Hilton Head, South Carolina. I've been part of Chris's key holder coaching group for I guess about five months now. And prior to that, I have participated in a few different business groups and business mentorship programs. And this coaching group has by far been the best and provided some of most value that we've received honestly in the two and a half years that we've been in business. And I think it's a combination of being paired with other business owners who are all at different places in their business. It really helps us take this big picture approach as well as get that really nitty gritty feedback, not only of what we need right now, but also what we might need a year from now. And the group that I was part of, it was honestly just so much fun and so much fun getting to know this group. Everyone provided so much value and they were honest and they were vulnerable and they were so transparent with their businesses and everyone really took that extra step to support each other, which is one of the reasons why I'm signing up to do it for another six months. But I absolutely recommend this coaching group. I think it's one the best things out there for new coffee shops, old coffee shops, anyone looking to elevate their business to the next level. -Susannah Winters/ Hilton Head Coffee Roasters
For us looking back, I think we were at a point of growth that we needed to take the steps to grow, but we were wearing ourselves out and burnout was starting to set it. I feel if we didn't reach out for help with Chris we would have greatly struggled. Both during the coaching and as a result of the coaching. Working with KTTS consulting has been monumental for us as individuals and as a business. We were able to get insight and confidence in areas that we felt like we were really struggling in. We took huge steps with hiring a manager and equipping them to help lead. Chris' structure behind servant leadership really matched well with how we wanted to lead so it allowed a very cohesive development of our foundation for goals, foundations, requirements and leadership. I would HIGHLY recommend KTTS to anyone regardless if you are struggling for feeling as though you are on top of the world with your business. I feel that no matter where you are in your journey, there's always room for growth. I even believe a few years down the road and we are continuing to grow that we would do it again and learn to continue to keep growing in a healthy was as a business and staying healthy as entrepreneurs -Jessica Nguyễn Queen City and Co.
I made the decision to become a part of the Key Holder Coaching Group (KHCG) primarily to establish connections with other professionals who are actively engaged in the coffee business. I have found that through coaching I have been able to improve my productivity, streamlining my operations and have a healthier life/work balance. 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 / Peekskill Coffee Roasting Company / The Peekskill Coffeehouse | |||
| What are the Key Holder Coaching Groups? | 26 août 2026 | 00:12:32 | |
For cafe owners, the way you and your coffee shop grow is determined by how you are supported and nourished by community. The trouble is most owners are isolated, stressed, and are in desperate need of a type of community that is not just generally related to business but is made up entirely of other coffee shop owners who know exactly where you are coming from. That is what Key Holder Coaching Groups are all about. A small group of invested coffee shop owners who are dedicated to encouragement, accountability, insights, and helping each other grow. Our groups are limited 6-7 experienced cafe owners and we meet 12 times over 6 months in our Zoom sessions where we focus on member led topics that are actually relevant to the real life of a cafe owner. Each member received 2 hours of one-on-one coaching through this time and has access to our Circle community where they can keep the connection and conversation going between our calls. I would love to talk with you about how this unique group can make a difference in your life. Look below for a few testimonials of past members and click this link to apply for the Fall 2026 cohort! APPLY TO THE 2026 KHCG COHORT!
Testimonials: My name is Susanna Winters and I am the owner and co -founder of Hilton Head Island Coffee Roasters. We're based out of Hilton Head, South Carolina. I've been part of Chris's key holder coaching group for I guess about five months now. And prior to that, I have participated in a few different business groups and business mentorship programs. And this coaching group has by far been the best and provided some of most value that we've received honestly in the two and a half years that we've been in business. And I think it's a combination of being paired with other business owners who are all at different places in their business. It really helps us take this big picture approach as well as get that really nitty gritty feedback, not only of what we need right now, but also what we might need a year from now. And the group that I was part of, it was honestly just so much fun and so much fun getting to know this group. Everyone provided so much value and they were honest and they were vulnerable and they were so transparent with their businesses and everyone really took that extra step to support each other, which is one of the reasons why I'm signing up to do it for another six months. But I absolutely recommend this coaching group. I think it's one the best things out there for new coffee shops, old coffee shops, anyone looking to elevate their business to the next level. -Susannah Winters/ Hilton Head Coffee Roasters
For us looking back, I think we were at a point of growth that we needed to take the steps to grow, but we were wearing ourselves out and burnout was starting to set it. I feel if we didn't reach out for help with Chris we would have greatly struggled. Both during the coaching and as a result of the coaching. Working with KTTS consulting has been monumental for us as individuals and as a business. We were able to get insight and confidence in areas that we felt like we were really struggling in. We took huge steps with hiring a manager and equipping them to help lead. Chris' structure behind servant leadership really matched well with how we wanted to lead so it allowed a very cohesive development of our foundation for goals, foundations, requirements and leadership. I would HIGHLY recommend KTTS to anyone regardless if you are struggling for feeling as though you are on top of the world with your business. I feel that no matter where you are in your journey, there's always room for growth. I even believe a few years down the road and we are continuing to grow that we would do it again and learn to continue to keep growing in a healthy was as a business and staying healthy as entrepreneurs -Jessica Nguyễn Queen City and Co.
I made the decision to become a part of the Key Holder Coaching Group (KHCG) primarily to establish connections with other professionals who are actively engaged in the coffee business. I have found that through coaching I have been able to improve my productivity, streamlining my operations and have a healthier life/work balance. 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 / Peekskill Coffee Roasting Company / The Peekskill Coffeehouse | |||
| 622: Lifting Up Coffee Farmers w/ Ben Carlson of Long Miles Coffee! | 25 août 2026 | 00:55:02 | |
In coffee we can often question the impact of our efforts. Over time though, small consistent steps in the right direction can not only carry you over many miles, it can transform you and those for whom you are working. What may seem like plodding work now, is the foundation for what will be built in the future. Today we are talking with someone whose work has taken several turns over the years. All of which were in the direction of uplifting farmers with whatever means were at hand. Today the massive impact of those consistent actions has led to impact beyond measure. We are talking with Ben Carlson of Long Miles Coffee. Ben Carlson is a coffee industry leader and social entrepreneur with 23 years of global experience, including 16 years on the ground in East Africa. Based in Nairobi, Kenya, Ben serves as the CEO, Chief Culture Creator, and Sales Director of Long Miles Coffee—an impact-driven organization dedicated to producing world-class specialty coffee while uplifting smallholder farming communities out of generational poverty. Ben's journey in East Africa began in 2010 following a quality survey of Burundi's coffee sector. Driven by a vision to challenge exploitative supply chains, he transitioned from coffee trading to hands-on production, founding Long Miles Coffee in 2013 alongside his wife, Kristy. What started with a single washing station serving 180 families in Bukeye, Burundi, has scaled into a multi-country operation employing over 130 team members and supporting more than 9,500 farming families across Burundi and Uganda. Under Ben's leadership, Long Miles has consistently set benchmarks for quality and sustainability, earning numerous Cup of Excellence awards and achieving Burundi's highest coffee sales per pound. His current work focuses on pioneering climate-resilient agriculture, including building Africa's first carbon-neutral, minimal-water coffee processing facility and developing a regenerative model farm on Mount Elgon in Western Kenya. Recognized as Imbibe Magazine's "Coffee Person of the Year," Ben is a frequent international speaker, event host, and competition judge on impact-driven business models and sustainable agriculture. He also serves as the regional distributor for Ecotact protective packaging in Uganda and Kenya. Ben lives in Kenya with his family, continuing his mission to reshape the future of African specialty coffee. We discuss:
KEYS TO THE SHOP CONSULTING HELPS YOU MAKE YOU CAFE BETTER! Book a free call now: https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min Related episodes:
SPONSORS! "Your Brand Cafe" for all your Cups, Sleeves printing and much more!
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| SHIFT BREAK! What It Means To Have Integrity In Our Work | 20 août 2026 | 00:12:33 | |
Integrity is hard to identify unless you are actively looking for and working on it. But what is "it"? Well, in some ways it is consistency, but that is not enough. Integrity is more than production of the same thing the same way, it is more related to the mindset and spirit behind that consistency. In coffee, we have a lot of room to improve our consistency, because we are lacking in how seriously we take integrity. Today on Shift Break we will be talking about what integrity means and where it shows up in the work of the daily operations. If we can consciously build integrity in the moments where it counts, we will se ever aspect of our coffee shops improve.
KEYS TO THE SHOP® CONSULTING HELPS YOU MAKE YOU CAFE BETTER! Book a free call now: https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
Thank you to out sponsors! Everything you need for back of the house operations https://rattleware.qualitybystainless.com/
The best and most revered espresso machines on the planet: www.lamarzoccousa.com
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| 621: Managment, Supply Chain, and Building Great Teams w/ Ewelina Kania! | 18 août 2026 | 00:48:44 | |
In order to provide excellence in the cafe, we need to focus on people. Building, caring for, and managing a team is the cornerstone of any great cafe. The potential of your coffee and hospitality depends on this! Today we are going to be talking with someone who has lead and managed at the highest levels of coffee. With her passion for logistics, people-first leadership, and team development, she has delivered consistent quality for staff and guests alike. I am thrilled to welcome to the show, Ewelina Kania! Ewelina has spent over a decade in hospitality, starting out as a barista before joining Prufrock Coffee in London. As General Manager during an eight-year stretch, she ran the entire operation, tested new concepts, and navigated the less glamorous realities of the industry - including leadership transitions, operational hurdles, and a global pandemic. She later worked as Chief Operating Officer at Barista Hustle Tools, diving deep into product logistics and global supply chains. Today, Ewelina is Head of Operations and Logistics at Natoora Copenhagen, connecting small-scale growers with local chefs. For her, moving from specialty coffee to farm-grown produce is a seamless transition: both industries rely on passionate people who care deeply about origin and quality. Across every role, she stays focused on one core principle: a happy, supported team leads to a stronger business and a better guest experience. We discuss:
Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ew__ka__/ Natoora: https://www.instagram.com/natoora/
KEYS TO THE SHOP CONSULTING HELPS YOU MAKE YOU CAFE BETTER! Book a free call now: https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min Related episodes:
SPONSORS! "Your Brand Cafe" for all your Cups, Sleeves printing and much more!
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| SHIFT BREAK! Challenge and Affirmation: Why You Need Both In Your Coffee Shopp | 14 août 2026 | 00:09:49 | |
If we know anything it is that striking a balance in our communication is very difficult. It often feels like we are neglecting affirmation for fear of not addressing issues, or we neglect addressing issues and challenging our staff because we worry about how they will take it. So we stick to simply working a lot and mostly doing both poorly. No more! Today on Shift Break we will be talking about why you and your staff need challenge and affirmation to both be real and regular practices in the daily work and life of the shop. How we view people and how we speak with and to them has an incredible impact on everything in your operation. I think this short Shift Break may have in it the key to unlocking the kind of culture and relationships you hope for in your cafe.
KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS ARE BACK! The industry's premier coffee shop owner support and coaching cohort 'Key Holder Coaching Groups" is taking new applications now for the Fall 2026 cohort. If you are a coffee shop owner with at least 2 years experience in running your shop then you know how isolating it can be to run the business. Key Holder Coaching Groups (Apply Here ) Are purposeful 5-6 person groups that meet regularly over 6 months to help each other with encouragement, perspective, problem solving, and peer coaching that nourishes and advances you and your business. We are taking new application for the Fall 2026 cohort! Put in your application today! https://keystotheshop.com/key-holder-coaching-groups/
Sign up for 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email chris@keystothshop.com OR... book a free call now to talk about working together https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes: | |||
| 620: Creating Spaces For Joyful Hospitality w/ Mo Maravilla of Studio Tigre | 10 août 2026 | 00:53:49 | |
As we continue to see specialty coffee shops grow and expand into the furthest reaches of the globe, one thing remains an enduring value to customers. That feeling of belonging. A sense that the hospitality and the good will of those providing it are genuine makes every cup taste sweet and the memory of the experience even sweeter. Perhaps no professional in recent years better embodies these values than today's guest, Monique (Mo) Maravilla! Mo is a Filipino entrepreneur, coffee roaster, educator, traveler, and champion of joyful hospitality. Her journey began on the guest side of the bar, appreciating the way a single cup could hold identity, story, and connection all at once. Her passion for community and representation led her to open Kindness and Mischief Coffee Roasters in the Highland Park neighborhood of Los Angeles in 2016. Noticing a severe lack of women — and particularly women of color — behind the bar, at the roaster, and at the helm of their own shops, she started learning to roast in 2017 and became the first Filipino woman roaster in Los Angeles. We discuss:
REGISTER NOW FOR THE SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES! Build a Stronger Coffee Shop: One Step at a TimeGreat coffee shops don't happen by accident. They are built by hiring the right people, training them well, and leading them with clarity and consistency. In this live three-part Summer Webinar Series, Chris Deferio shares the practical systems and coaching insights that have helped coffee businesses build stronger teams, healthier cultures, and more resilient operations. Each webinar includes:
Register for the individual sessions that fit your current needs, or scroll down to save 20% on the complete Summer Webinar Series. REGISTER NOW FOR THE SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES!
of book a free call now: https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
SPONSORS! "Your Brand Cafe" for all your Cups, Sleeves printing and much more!
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| Special! Interviews From Coffee Fest Chicago 2026! w/ Lan Ho (Fat Miilk), Miranda Haney (Barista Friend), Asia Vo (Loba Pastry and Coffee)) | 10 août 2026 | 00:43:01 | |
Every Coffee Fest we sit down with presenters and speakers to talk about their field of expertise and learn from their experience in coffee. This time we had a wonderful time talking with three professionals at Coffee Fest Chicago! Lan Ho is the founder and CEO of Fat Miilk, a Chicago-based Vietnamese coffee company redefining the role of Robusta in modern coffee. Through a platform spanning direct sourcing, roasting, retail cafés, and consumer packaged goods, she is building a brand that connects origin to everyday ritual. With a background in pharmacy, Lan brings a systems-driven mindset to an industry often led by tradition. She left a six-figure healthcare career to pursue entrepreneurship and has since been featured on CNBC and appeared on Gordon Ramsay's Food Stars. Fat Miilk opened its first Chicago storefront in 2024, with a second location in Naperville set to open this summer. Deeply interested in consumer psychology, Lan approaches coffee through the lens of lifestyle, how people drink, feel, and connect through daily habits. She is a leading voice in advancing Robusta's place in the global coffee conversation.
Links: http://instagram.com/fatmiilk/
Next we are talking about approachable and joyful coffee training and eduction with Miranda Haney of Barista Friend! Miranda Haney is a coffee educator and consultant based in Austin, TX. She is the founder of Barista Friend, a mobile barista training service for home and professional baristas. Hailing from a long line of teachers, Miranda is especially passionate about delivering information in a way that's engaging and easy to understand. She's a permanent fixture at the local latte art competitions, a two-time U.S. Barista Championships national competitor, runner-up in the 2024 Barista League, Denver, and currently serves as vice president of the Austin Coffee Collective. Most recently, she was a 2025 Coffee Sustainability Fellow with The Chain Collaborative.
Links: https://www.instagram.com/baristafriend/ https://baristafriend.substack.com/
Finally we talk with Asia Vo of Loba Pastry and Coffee Asia Vo is a Chicago-based artist devoted to curating intentional food and beverage experiences. In her present role as the Beverage Director of Loba Pastry, Vo honors craftsmanship through her continual pursuit of authentic creation and curiosity.
Links: https://www.instagram.com/asia__vo/
Go check out Coffee Fest Trade Shows Today!
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| SHIFT BREAK! Walking Out Effective Leadership and Management | 07 août 2026 | 00:14:08 | |
Leading and managing are only as effective as your knowledge and understanding of the who, what, and why of your cafe. Sadly many people with the title of manager or in positions of leadership are going day-to-day putting out fires, chasing down tasks, but never getting ahead in developing and supporting their staff in meaningful ways.
REGISTER NOW FOR THE SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES! Build a Stronger Coffee Shop: One Step at a TimeGreat coffee shops don't happen by accident. They are built by hiring the right people, training them well, and leading them with clarity and consistency. In this live webinar Chris Deferio shares the practical systems and coaching insights that have helped coffee businesses build stronger teams, healthier cultures, and more resilient operations. Webinar includes:
REGISTER NOW FOR THE SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES!
Sign up for 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email chris@keystothshop.com OR... book a free call now to talk about working together https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes: | |||
| 619: 4 Mindset Shifts Every Cafe Owners Needs | 04 août 2026 | 00:25:38 | |
How we think determines how we act. This is especially true when it comes to pressurized situations like the kind that we find in a busy coffee shop environment. We talk a lot about leader, ship, tactics, and principles, and aspire to be better leaders, but if we don't fix our thinking, our actions will not be effective in our efforts will fall flat. On today's episode we will be discussing for major mind set shif that every coffee shop leader needs to make in order to properly serve the people they work with and for. We cover:
Sign up for the leadership and management webinar below!
REGISTER NOW FOR THE SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES! Build a Stronger Coffee Shop: One Step at a TimeGreat coffee shops don't happen by accident. They are built by hiring the right people, training them well, and leading them with clarity and consistency. In this live three-part Summer Webinar Series, Chris Deferio shares the practical systems and coaching insights that have helped coffee businesses build stronger teams, healthier cultures, and more resilient operations. Each webinar includes:
Register for the individual sessions that fit your current needs, or scroll down to save 20% on the complete Summer Webinar Series. REGISTER NOW FOR THE SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES!
of book a free call now: https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
SPONSORS! "Your Brand Cafe" for all your Cups, Sleeves printing and much more!
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| 618: Founder Friday! w/ Tim Wendelboe | Oslo, Norway | 31 juil. 2026 | 00:57:27 | |
It's Founder Friday and I am so pleased to finally welcome the one an only Tim Wendelboe! Tim Wendelboe runs his own roastery and espresso bar in Oslo, Norway where he imports, roast and serve high quality coffees. Apart from winning 8 Nordic Roaster Competitions with his team, he was the 2004 World Barista Champion and the 2005 World Cup Tasting Champion and has also published several books on coffee. Tim spends a lot of time working together with the producers he buys coffee from in order to improve the quality of their coffees. He is also working on his own coffee farm, Finca el Suelo, in Colombia where he uses his knowledge in soil biology to grow coffee free from pesticides and mineral fertilizers. This was a great time talking about a wide range of subjects all related to pursuing excellence in operations, trade, leadership, and craft. In todays discussion we cover:
Links: https://www.instagram.com/timwendelboe/
REGISTER NOW FOR THE SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES! Build a Stronger Coffee Shop: One Step at a TimeGreat coffee shops don't happen by accident. They are built by hiring the right people, training them well, and leading them with clarity and consistency. In this live three-part Summer Webinar Series, Chris Deferio shares the practical systems and coaching insights that have helped coffee businesses build stronger teams, healthier cultures, and more resilient operations. Each webinar includes:
Register for the individual sessions that fit your current needs, or scroll down to save 20% on the complete Summer Webinar Series. REGISTER NOW FOR THE SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES!
of book a free call now: https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
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| SHIFT BREAK! Start Small | 30 juil. 2026 | 00:08:44 | |
Seemingly in balance to our episode with Kwame Christian on big swings, we need to talk about small starts! Making decisions about size, scope, and scale of our cafes can set us up for success or it can set us up for disappointment. I see this play out time and time again where people over commit to something and bite of more than they can chew. This leads to al sorts of downstream issues.
REGISTER NOW FOR THE SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES! Build a Stronger Coffee Shop: One Step at a TimeGreat coffee shops don't happen by accident. They are built by hiring the right people, training them well, and leading them with clarity and consistency. In this live three-part Summer Webinar Series, Chris Deferio shares the practical systems and coaching insights that have helped coffee businesses build stronger teams, healthier cultures, and more resilient operations. Each webinar includes:
Register for the individual sessions that fit your current needs, or scroll down to save 20% when you bundle the last two in our series. REGISTER NOW FOR THE SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES!
Sign up for 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email chris@keystothshop.com OR... book a free call now to talk about working together https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes: | |||
| 617: Kwame Christian On How To Take Big Swings in Your Career and Business | 27 juil. 2026 | 00:48:43 | |
There is wisdom in taking well considered steps in your life and business. The trouble is that sometimes, when the best move is a big one, we can write it off as unwise or reckless. How can we overcome what holds us back from making the right big moves? Well I am pleased to welcome back to the show someone who has lived out and navigated this problem. My friend and world renowned expert in communication and negotiation, Kwame Christian! Kwame Christian, Director of the American Negotiation Institute. He is the author of two bestselling books: Finding Confidence in Conflict and How to Have Difficult Conversations About Race He is a highly sought after keynote speaker and was a recent featured guest on the Mel Robbins Podcast. Kwame is dedicated to empowering others and has helped countless individuals overcome the fear, anxiety, and emotion often associated with difficult conversations through a branded framework called Compassionate Curiosity. As an attorney and mediator with a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology, a Master of Public Policy, and a Juris Doctorate (Law Degree), Kwame brings a unique multidisciplinary approach to making difficult conversations easier. We discuss:
Links:
REGISTER NOW FOR THE SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES! Build a Stronger Coffee Shop: One Step at a TimeGreat coffee shops don't happen by accident. They are built by hiring the right people, training them well, and leading them with clarity and consistency. In this live three-part Summer Webinar Series, Chris Deferio shares the practical systems and coaching insights that have helped coffee businesses build stronger teams, healthier cultures, and more resilient operations. Each webinar includes:
Register for the individual sessions that fit your current needs, or scroll down to save 20% on the complete Summer Webinar Series. REGISTER NOW FOR THE SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES!
of book a free call now: https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
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| SHIFT BREAK! Are You Holding Your Business Back? Let it Grow! | 22 juil. 2026 | 00:08:11 | |
I had a conversation with a successful cafe and roastery client recently. We talked about delegation and what was standing in the way of them giving tasks and authority to others. It came out that they were worried about relinquishing control and that they want things to be perfect. Of course this owner is in good company, we all have this feeling that ultimately holds things back. Today on Shift Break we will be talking about how we can not just let go of the limiting beliefs preventing us from empowering others, but how we can reframe how we talk to ourselves about giving up control so our people, and out business can grow more fully into what it needs to be.
REGISTER NOW FOR THE SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES! Build a Stronger Coffee Shop: One Step at a TimeGreat coffee shops don't happen by accident. They are built by hiring the right people, training them well, and leading them with clarity and consistency. In this live three-part Summer Webinar Series, Chris Deferio shares the practical systems and coaching insights that have helped coffee businesses build stronger teams, healthier cultures, and more resilient operations. Each webinar includes:
Register for the individual sessions that fit your current needs, or scroll down to save 20% when you bundle the last two in our series. REGISTER NOW FOR THE SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES!
Sign up for 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email chris@keystothshop.com OR... book a free call now to talk about working together https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
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| 616: How to Run a Boardgame Cafe w/ Kevin Kerkhof of Hitherto Coffee and Gaming Parlour! | 21 juil. 2026 | 01:01:41 | |
Boardgames and coffee! The two were meant for one another. Gathering around a table to share an experience with your friends and family is core to how community happens. In the last decade we have seen an explosion of gaming and coffee cafes meeting a need for connection over shared dice, boards, cards and cups. Todays guest has been a pillar in this community for over 7 years and brings an incredible depth of knowledge and skill in hospitality, leadership, and culinary to the gaming table. We are talking with Kevin Kerkhof of Hitherto Coffee and Gaming Parlour in Greenfield, IN! Kevin J. Kerkhof is an entrepreneur, hospitality executive, educator, and culinary professional with more than 30 years of experience in foodservice, specialty coffee, retail operations, business development, and hospitality management. Throughout his career, he has built a reputation for combining operational excellence with a passion for culinary innovation, hospitality, team development, and creating exceptional guest experiences. Since 2019, Kevin has served as the Founder, Principal Owner, and General Manager of Hitherto Coffee & Gaming Parlour in Greenfield, Indiana. Under his leadership, Hitherto has grown into a unique community-focused destination that blends specialty coffee, food service, tabletop gaming, retail, and events. Prior to founding Hitherto, Kevin served as the Founding Chef and General Manager of Greyhouse Coffee & Supply Co. in West Lafayette, Indiana. During his tenure, he helped shape the organization's culinary and operational vision while providing leadership and oversight for hundreds of employees throughout the years. He played a key role in concept development, menu creation, facility design, budgeting, organizational leadership, and operational growth. Kevin earned a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Purdue University and an Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts from Johnson & Wales University. He has worked with and supported organizations including McDonald's, Whole Foods Market, Ecolab, Tyson Foods, Purdue University, the Culinary Institute of America, and the Specialty Coffee Association.
In our conversation about his career and boardgame cafe concept we discuss:
REGISTER NOW FOR THE SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES! Build a Stronger Coffee Shop: One Step at a TimeGreat coffee shops don't happen by accident. They are built by hiring the right people, training them well, and leading them with clarity and consistency. In this live three-part Summer Webinar Series, Chris Deferio shares the practical systems and coaching insights that have helped coffee businesses build stronger teams, healthier cultures, and more resilient operations. Each webinar includes:
Register for the individual sessions that fit your current needs, or scroll down to save 20% on the complete Summer Webinar Series. REGISTER NOW FOR THE SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES!
of book a free call now: https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
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| SHIFT BREAK! Avoid Burnout By Serving Your Managers | 15 juil. 2026 | 00:08:42 | |
We serve 2 types of customers. External and internal. The external customer is the one that comes in for a coffee and spends money and time with us as guests in the cafe. The internal customer comes in for a job and spend their energy and time helping us serve the first customer well. In this environment, managers are critical leaders in caring for both groups. Not only this, managers are under pressure to serve the big vision of the business and those who own it. No wonder management burns out as much as they do! Today on Shift Break we will be talking about serving your managers. The servant leadership model is one that fits neatly in coffee and we will discuss how to adjust our mindsets and schedules to properaly and actually care for those who care for others. This shift makes all the difference. I have noticed a lot of noise in the industry. The coffee shop and its owner are the targets of a crushing and never ending stream of marketing that does not care about your success, but only moving units. The uncertainty that was supposed to be solved, is made worse, and the simple desire to serve coffee professionally, gets over complicated. No wonder we burn out so often. Today on Shift Break we will be talking about how simplicity is the best strategy for any coffee shop and is worth establishing as a central pillar of the business so you can navigate the pressured environment of entrepreneurship and build something on a stable foundation.
REGISTER NOW FOR THE SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES! Build a Stronger Coffee Shop: One Step at a TimeGreat coffee shops don't happen by accident. They are built by hiring the right people, training them well, and leading them with clarity and consistency. In this live three-part Summer Webinar Series, Chris Deferio shares the practical systems and coaching insights that have helped coffee businesses build stronger teams, healthier cultures, and more resilient operations. Each webinar includes:
Register for the individual sessions that fit your current needs, or scroll down to save 20% when you bundle the last two in our series. REGISTER NOW FOR THE SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES!
Sign up for 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email chris@keystothshop.com OR... book a free call now to talk about working together https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
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| 615: The Key to Excellent Cafes, Sales, and Wholesale Support w/ Sam Lewontin! | 15 juil. 2026 | 00:51:59 | |
In the world of specialty coffee, the relationship between roaster and cafe is one of the most vital. In a healthy relationship, there is a support for the client that mirrors the hospitality and quality that the roaster hopes the cafe produces using their coffee. There may be nobody more qualified to speak to both side of this relationship of mutual support than today guest, Sam Lewontin! Sam is a veteran coffee professional whose nearly 30 year career has taken him from barista in many small and obscure shops, to owning and growing one of NYC best Cafes Everyman Espresso along with Sam Penix. Sam Lewontin carved out a niche for himself as one of coffee's most thoughtful, clear, and intentional operators as well as decorated barista competitors. After a long career in barista work and cafe hospitality and ownership, Sam took the listening, communication, and service skill he honed in th shop, and applied it to the world of sales and wholesal support for Stumptown Coffee Roasters and now most recently is representing Counter Culture Coffee! Literally every time you interact with Sam, he is not just enthused to see you, but in genuinely interested in your good. This is why we are talking with him today to learn about how we can develop our hospitality approach in like fashion, but take a page from him play book in sales to truly help our clients solve problems and thrive in their business. We discuss:
REGISTER NOW FOR THE SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES! Build a Stronger Coffee Shop: One Step at a TimeGreat coffee shops don't happen by accident. They are built by hiring the right people, training them well, and leading them with clarity and consistency. In this live three-part Summer Webinar Series, Chris Deferio shares the practical systems and coaching insights that have helped coffee businesses build stronger teams, healthier cultures, and more resilient operations. Each webinar includes:
Register for the individual sessions that fit your current needs, or scroll down to save 20% on the complete Summer Webinar Series. REGISTER NOW FOR THE SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES!
of book a free call now: https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
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| SHIFT BREAK! The Best Strategy is Simplicity | 09 juil. 2026 | 00:11:02 | |
I have noticed a lot of noise in the industry. The coffee shop and its owner are the targets of a crushing and never ending stream of marketing that does not care about your success, but only moving units. The uncertainty that was supposed to be solved, is made worse, and the simple desire to serve coffee professionally, gets over complicated. No wonder we burn out so often. Today on Shift Break we will be talking about how simplicity is the best strategy for any coffee shop and is worth establishing as a central pillar of the business so you can navigate the pressured environment of entrepreneurship and build something on a stable foundation.
REGISTER NOW FOR THE SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES! Build a Stronger Coffee Shop: One Step at a TimeGreat coffee shops don't happen by accident. They are built by hiring the right people, training them well, and leading them with clarity and consistency. In this live three-part Summer Webinar Series, Chris Deferio shares the practical systems and coaching insights that have helped coffee businesses build stronger teams, healthier cultures, and more resilient operations. Each webinar includes:
Register for the individual sessions that fit your current needs, or scroll down to save 20% on the complete Summer Webinar Series. REGISTER NOW FOR THE SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES!
Sign up for 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email chris@keystothshop.com OR... book a free call now to talk about working together https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
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| 614: 3 Areas to Prioritize for Your People's Success | 07 juil. 2026 | 00:27:35 | |
A cafe's culture is built by intentionally investing in values, hiring, training, and leadership structures and behaviors. These areas are integral to any cafe's success. The issue is that for many, they tend to be rushed or even afterthoughts, leaving the people part of our coffee shops under developed and the resulting culture fragile. In this episode we will go over the three areas we are covering in an upcoming webinar series and how each of them factor into your cafe's success. Today we will discuss:
REGISTER NOW FOR THE SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES! Build a Stronger Coffee Shop: One Step at a TimeGreat coffee shops don't happen by accident. They are built by hiring the right people, training them well, and leading them with clarity and consistency. In this live three-part Summer Webinar Series, Chris Deferio shares the practical systems and coaching insights that have helped coffee businesses build stronger teams, healthier cultures, and more resilient operations. Each webinar includes:
Register for the individual sessions that fit your current needs, or scroll down to save 20% on the complete Summer Webinar Series. REGISTER NOW FOR THE SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES!
of book a free call now: https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
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| SHIFT BREAK! Every Manager Should Have This Trait | 02 juil. 2026 | 00:09:00 | |
We are notorious in coffee for promoting people into management based only on technical skills or that they might not be quite as unreliable as others on the team. We also rush good people who need more time to develop resilience into the position and set them up for failure. In order to make good decisions, there are many traits we need to look for in a a manager, but one in particular is important enough that I feel every manager should possess at least the beginnings of it.
Today on Shift Break we will be talking about the need for a particular kind of resiliency that I have seen the best managers have. If you look for this in your team and in those who apply for roles in the shop it will set them up for success in their technical, admin, and leadership responsibilities well into the future.
Worth a note is the fact that owners are also hugely responsible for how they bring in, train, and provide standards and structures for leadership. You cannot lead based on intuition and some "it" factor. The argument here is not that management make up for and excuse the the lack of systems and structures, but that they would be and can be part of the process of helping lead others in those things and help advance them as well. Sign up for 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email chris@keystothshop.com OR... book a free call now to talk about working together https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
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| 613: Challenges and Opportunities in Changing the Industry w/ Writer Sarah Charles of Underscore Communication | 30 juin 2026 | 01:00:22 | |
Today we have access to information about the world of coffee that is unprecedented. At times it can be overwhelming to consider all the areas of the coffee industry that need fixing while we also work daily to care for those we have immediately with us. The trick is to tune into sources that convey not just the reality of the problem, but can also feature stories that showcase hope as we work to make progress. Today we get talk with someone whose work in writing about coffee has helped countless people grapple with and take steps to address our industry's most pressing issues. Sarah Charles is the founder of Underscore Communications, former Editor of Coffee Intelligence, and Senior Communications Officer at the International Trade Centre (ITC/WTO agency). A principal author of the ITC Coffee Guide 4th Edition, she writes for print and online publications and produces industry reports and books covering coffee trends, trade, and development. Her work makes sense of the world's messiest systems – climate, trade, culture, food – through sharp storytelling, fresh angles, and analysis. She holds an MSc in Sustainable Development from SOAS, University of London and is a founding member of the Greek IWCA chapter. Today we will discuss:
Links: https://www.instagram.com/unprincipledwriter/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-e-charles/ https://iwcagreece.org/ https://www.intracen.org/resources/publications/the-coffee-guide-fourth-edition
KEYS TO THE SHOP OFFERS CONSULTING + COACHING If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email of book a free call now: https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
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| SHIFT BREAK! Getting The Hint From Your Customers | 25 juin 2026 | 00:09:59 | |
Sometimes we hope against hope that we can eventually win the customer over to that one flavor, those later hours of your cafe, or the new menu item that the internet said was a sure-fire winner. Whether it is our own pride or some other reason, we can hang on to things a bit too long and damage our business in the process. Today on Shift Break we will be talking about the signals your customers are sending you regarding your coffee shops hours, menu etc and how we can get the hint, get over our stubbornness, and free ourselves to make discussions informed from the conversation we have with our community.
Sign up for 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email chris@keystothshop.com OR... book a free call now to talk about working together https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
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| 612: Founder Friday! w/ Yaren Maya of Cafeto Cacao in Oaxaca, Mexico! | 24 juin 2026 | 00:46:59 | |
I am so glad that I came across this jewel of a cafe in Oaxaca City, Oaxaca, Mexico. We hear often about direct trade relationships, local sourcing, excellent hospitality, and servant leadership all as aspirations of mindful operators. This place is living these aspirations as a part of the daily rhythm. Coffee and Cacao from their backyard. Signature drinks and a food menu made from ingredients direct from local farms. A deep focus on Oaxacan culture and tradition.
Links:
KEYS TO THE SHOP OFFERS CONSULTING + COACHING If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email of book a free call now: https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
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| 611: What Colin Harmon Knows About Growing Coffee Shops! | 23 juin 2026 | 01:03:58 | |
As hard as starting a coffee shop can be, growing that shop is where the real work begins. The industry is riff with examples of cafes and roasteries that have suffered and even failed as a resulting how they approach growth. The industry also has many whose businesses have grown well but we can only admire their work as outsiders to the work that was done to get there. Enter Colin Harmon. Just like he did with his first book "What I know About Running Coffee Shops", Colin once again give us a look behind the curtain in his new book, "What I Know About Growing Coffee Shops! Colin Harmon is a 4x Irish Barista champion and founder of the iconic cafe and roastery 3fE in Dublin, Ireland. Under Colin's leadership 3fE has grown to 8 cafes, a massive roasting and wholesale program, and stands as an example of a what a thriving quality focused specialty coffee business looks like. Today we get to welcome Colin back to the show 9 years after his first appearance in 2017 shortly after the release of his first book to open up the ages of his new book and share with us his hard earned lessons and perspectives on growing a coffee shop! We Discuss:
Links:
Keys to the Shop CONSULTING + COACHING If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email of book a free call now: https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
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| SHIFT BREAK! Are You Ready To Scale? | 18 juin 2026 | 00:13:42 | |
As time goes on, opportunities to grow your business will present themselves and you need to make a decision on whether you will say yes, no, or not yet. In order to make a good decision there are a few things you should consider. Today on Shift Break we will be talking about six areas of your current business that need to be healthy in order to set your next venture up fopr success. Whether it is adding services and departments to your current business or expanding to another location, this episode will challenge you to attend to the foundations before adding on.
Sign up for 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email chris@keystothshop.com OR... book a free call now to talk about working together https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
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| 610: What People Love and Hate in a Coffee Shop |Research Results from Chicago Coffee Fest | 16 juin 2026 | 00:35:42 | |
What do customers love and hate about coffee shops? It feels like a question that is too easy to answer and as a result I believe we do not spend nearly enough time researching it. This past weekend I spoke in Chicago at Coffee Fest. In preparation we analyzed the most positive reviews and negative reviews of the worst rated and best rated cafes on Google and Yelp in the Chicago area. The results fell in line with some assumption I had based on what I have seen from my own years in coffee and consulting. In addition though, when compiled and organized, there were a few things that I found very interesting that we all need to think deeply about. So today we are going to be going over the list of things that people love and hate about coffee shops from this research and how this speaks to the greater issues in how we approach running our shops and the the path forward from here.
1:1 CONSULTING + COACHING! If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email of book a free call now: https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
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| SHIFT BREAK! Why You Need To Cross-Train Staff | 11 juin 2026 | 00:07:49 | |
In too many cafes we find staff trained only in the areas they work in with minimal to no knowledge or understanding in other parts of the business. This derails a cafes growth and effectiveness. Staff in the front are not equipped to speak with understanding and confidence to customers and those those who work in the back or in production areas are isolated from the up-steam results of their work. Today on Shift Break we will be talking about why cross training staff is the way forward for fostering understanding between departments, effective sales and hospitality, and a deeper bench of talent to draw from across your employees. This is especially important for FOH staff as they are the ones representing all you offer to the customer.
Sign up for 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email chris@keystothshop.com OR... book a free call now to talk about working together https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min Related Episodes: 424: Developing Menu and Hospitality Guides Taste the Rainbow! : Menu knowledge, tasting, flavor, coffee cupping approach to your offerings Taste the Rainbow! : Menu knowledge, tasting, flavor, coffee cupping approach to your offerings 582: Maximizing Existing Opportunities in Your Cafe 583: Unifying Teams Across Multiple Cafes SHIFT BREAK! How to Have Healthy Communication Between your Cafe's Departments | |||
| 609: Lessons On Running a True Community Space w/ Blew Kind of D'griot Cafe | Philadelphia, PA | 09 juin 2026 | 00:51:14 | |
More than just a 3rd space, some cafes are platforms for ideas, catalysts for change, and a space specifically organized and designed to grow and nurture their communities. Led by people with deep convictions and a vivid vision for what can be, these spaces transform and help support the community beyond the coffee. Today we get to catch up with someone who has spend decades pouring into her community and has learned a lot of very valuable lessons to help you do the same. Inspired by her afro-indigenous lineage, Blew kind creates transformational experiences where folks can connect deeper within themselves and each other toward their highest self. She offers moments of pause, conversation, and discovery where we can experience daily magic, while being open to heal individually and collectively. Her play involves poetry, crafting, dance, listening to stories, and community space making. Blew kind has developed multiple cultural community organizations in Philadelphia including Franny Lou's Porch cafe, Koku-Roko Learning Co-operative, d'griot café & gallery, and rad.Love; a non-profit fiscally sponsored by the Painted Bride Arts Center to support community programming. Grateful to be involved in the good work, Blew also supports other black, brown, and community leaders on their journey through public speaking and coaching. We discuss:
KEYS TO THE SHOP ALSO OFFERS 1:1 CONSULTING + COACHING! If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email of book a free call now: https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
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| SHIFT BREAK! Why It's Hard To Find Good Help These Days | 04 juin 2026 | 00:09:49 | |
We have heard this phrase before and, if we are honest, we have said it a couple times too. The statement is problematic since it assumes that the world around us is the reason we can't seem to find the help we want. Today on Shift Break we will be talking about why it seems like we can't find good help, and the reality of how our own behaviors, lack of preparation, and well thought through systems related to hiring and leader support are the real cause behind this illusion.
Sign up for 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email chris@keystothshop.com OR... book a free call now to talk about working together https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min Related Episodes:
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| 608: The Best Behaviors for Building Resilient Cafe and Roastery w/ Tracy Allen of Brewed Behavior Consulting | 02 juin 2026 | 01:03:44 | |
Our businesses are the results of the small and large decisions we make over the years. It is our behavior in the business that ultimately determines the success and Impact we can realize. Some have said that the 4th wave is ,marked by more passionate coffee balancing that passion with good business practice and strategy. Today will be talking with someone who has been hugely influential in teaching solid and sustainable business behavior to countless coffee professionals and companies world wide. I happy to welcome Tracy Allen to the show! Tracy Allen founded Brewed Behavior, a global consulting and education firm dedicated to advancing the specialty coffee industry worldwide in 2008.
We Cover:
Links:
KEYS TO THE SHOP ALSO OFFERS 1:1 CONSULTING + COACHING! If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email of book a free call now: https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
447: Understanding the Business of Coffee w/ Maxwell Colonna-Dashwood 283 : 5 Bad Reasons to Open a Coffee Shop SHIFT BREAK! Become Immune to Fear-Based Coffee Marketing 327: Founder Friday! w/ Phuong Tran of Lava Java 489: Tips for Creating a Resilient Cafe 223 : Building a Financially Resilient Business w/ Andrew Carroll
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| Founder Friday! w/ Amos Gillespie of Wheelhouse Coffee, Kentville, Nova Scotia, CA | 29 mai 2026 | 00:47:42 | |
The best coffee businesses are built on solid values, local community, and small consistent steps taken toward deeper connection through hospitality and excellence in the product. The story of Wheelhouse Coffee is one that demonstrates the power of intentional people-first work over time and what happens when you make growth a conversation with those your serve. I am thrilled to get to talk with the founder of Wheelhouse Coffee in Nova Scotia, CA, Amos Gillespie! Wheelhouse Coffee began with an eight-year-old Amos sharing morning coffee with his dad. By 17, that simple joy had grown into a coffee dream. After an espresso machine, a barista job, and a life-changing Portland coffee show, Amos launched Wheelhouse in 2018. However, being a single owner with a small sample roaster and a full-time job became increasingly challenging. In 2020, after a beautiful summer wedding, he and his wife set out to grow Wheelhouse together. From basement beginnings to a thriving café, their journey is driven by their love for coffee and the people they serve. We discuss:
KEYS TO THE SHOP ALSO OFFERS 1:1 CONSULTING + COACHING! If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email of book a free call now: https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
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