Keys To The Shop : Equipping Coffee Shop Leaders – Details, episodes & analysis

In our world of coffee shops we feel if we can get through the day without too many disasters or fires that we are doing well. The people we put into various roles adopt a similar mindset of avoidance of bad is equal to accomplishing good. but when you reflect back on your day and even career, when you have this mindset you are left with a bag full of air. No substance to show you did a good job because none of us were identifying and work toward specifics, we were working to avoid problems and accept vague generalities.

Today on shift break we will be talking about how to set up yourself, and everyone else for success by defining the work and what a good job looks like so we can have sustainable work that fills us with the evidence of a good job, not just a bad job avoided. 

Related Episodes: 

• 172 : Why Tracking Performance is a Must!
• 489: Tips for Creating a Resilient Cafe
• SHIFT BREAK: How to Assess a Barista's Performance
• The One-on-One : How one meeting can dramatically impact your coffee shop's culture and morale.
• 244 : Top 10 Ways to Lose Employees

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 

chris@keystothshop.com

of book a free call now: 

https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min 

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

At this show we believe that the onus for setting people up for success and being the chief servant of those above them is squarely on the leader or owner of the cafe. they have more power, say, and responsibility. With that said we must not pretend that they are the only ones who have power, authority, influence or responsibility. Baristas also have these things and how well they do in their career or how good they feel about the work they do is in no small part based on stewarding the things they have taken on when choosing to represent the coffee, the company, and the well being of their co-workers and guest. How well a barista does here can determine what future leadership in cafes looks like. But there are some beliefs we need to address.

Today on the show we venture into the world of myths that baristas believe and breakdown the nuances surrounding many assumptions that take root that are not always so helpful in producing the kind of positive change we want to see advanced in coffee.

We cover:

• The owner is probably exploiting you
• The cafe is where I get to express myself
• I don't owe anyone my emotional labor
• Customers are the worst
• educating myself in coffee and
• success in competitors means I am a good barista
• This is my bar

Related episodes:

• Baristas Are Not Magic
• 561: How to Motivate Baristas
• SHIFT BREAK! How Not To Be a Jerk When Training Baristas
• SHIFT BREAK: Evil Owners and Lazy Baristas
• The Barista Slump : Thoughts on how to deal with times of love-loss, uncertainty, hardship, and weariness in your coffee career
• 031 : Essential Advice for New Baristas : Tips to help you successfully navigate and thrive in your new coffee career
• Reasonable Expectations
• 014 : A Barista's Guide to Advancing: How to take full advantage of where you are and set yourself up for success in coffee

KEYS TO THE SHOP ALSO OFFERS 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

of book a free call now: 

https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min 

SPONSORS

Want a beautiful coffee shop? All your hard surface, stone, Tile and brick needs! 

www.arto.com

Visit @artobrick

The world loves plant based beverages and baristas love the Barista Series! 

www.pacificfoodservice.com

Sharing is caring!...but when you overshare with your managers it can easily be the opposite. You have a lot on your mind and often not a lot of people to share it with. The closest person is most often the manager or GM and they "get" to hear all about your plans, hopes, crazy ideas etc. Feels good for you, but for them it can be a huge burden that distracts them from their main work.

Today on Shift Break we will be talking about why oversharing is a trap that should be avoided and what your discourse and relationship to your management team should look like to avoid burnout, overwhelm, distraction, and confusion. 

• Toxic Vulnerability : Barista care, leadership, vulnerability, thoughtful management, coffee culture, coffee family , professionalism
• SHIFT BREAK: Respecting Your Barista's Professional Boundaries
• 363 : Setting Boundaries in the Coffee Shop w/ Tom Henschel
• SHIFT BREAK: Don't Celebrate Unhealthy Wins
• SHIFT BREAK: Owners, It's OK to Make Mistakes

HIRE KTTS 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

of book a free call now: 

https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min 

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

Coffee shops are created through intention and reflect the values and often the personality of first the ones who begin them, and then those who work in them and the community that makes it their regular destination. There is a mix of service and transaction, with various layers of relationship built on trust. 

Today on Founder Friday we explore the story of one coffee shop and roastery that does a great job embodying these elements to serve both the locals and tourists with warmth and provide a sustainable and fulfilling vocation for their staff. 

Thrilled to welcome to the show, Bow Smith of Rowan Coffee!

Bow Smith is a coffee professional in Asheville, NC with nearly a decade of experience of barista work, roasting, and cafe management. Smith founded Rowan Coffee in 2020 with the goal of building a cafe and roastery grounded in integrity, hospitality, and creativity, while fostering fulfilling and lasting coffee careers. 

In this conversation we talk about:

• Bow's Experience as a Coffee Pro and Teaching Coffee
• The Ephemeral Nature of Coffee
• The Collaborative Efforts in Establishing Rowan
• Trust Is Crucial and Leadership in Coffee Shops
• Why Empathy in hiring is crucial for enhancing customer experiences
• Why Consistency in product is important, but experience is equally vital.
• Creating a Unique Cafe Experience
• Resilience in Community After Helene
• Building Culture in Business

Links:

www.rowancoffee.com

Instagram: @rowancoffee

Related and recommended episodes: 

• 420: Design Meaningful Roles in the Cafe
• 483: Encore: 6 Essential Qualities of Coffee Shop Leaders
• 067 : 6 Truths About Power : The Responsible Approach to Power Dynamics in the Cafe
• 430 : Embracing "Unreasonable Hospitality" w/ Will Guidara | Thank You NYC + The Welcome Conference
• 492: How to be The Best Coffee Shop
• SHIFT BREAK! Building Trust Credit

ATTENTION CAFE OWNERS w/ 2+ Years of running your brick and mortar....

-

LOOKING FOR A COMMUNITY OF SUPPORT, ACCOUNTABILITY, INSIGHT, AND ENCOURAGEMENT? 

-

The Key Holder Coaching Group master-mind are now taking new applicants for our 4th cohort launching in march! 

Click below to fill out your application now!

KEY HOLDER COACHING APPLICATION

INTERESTED IN 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

of book a free call now: 

https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min 

Want a beautiful coffee shop? All your hard surface, stone, Tile and brick needs! 

www.arto.com

Visit @artobrick

The world loves plant based beverages and baristas love the Barista Series! 

www.pacificfoodservice.com

Pursuing personal growth and development is one of the cornerstones of success and fulfillment in work and in life. Often we can get into such a rhythm of the day-to-day at work that we forget that there is a whole world of resources at our finger tips. Jared Truby of Cat and Cloud Coffee talks with us today about how seeking personal development with tenacity and purpose has helped shape his life and gives key tips and insights on how we can more effectively pursue personal development through studying outside resources and maximizing our present opportunities.

 Who we are in the future depends on the decisions and we make everyday. It is my hope the this episode will help motivate you to take the reigns of your career and bring you closer to your goals. 

Enjoy!

Links:

www.catandcloudcoffee.com

Instagram

Books Recommended: 

"Getting Naked" by Patrick Lincionni 

"Legacy" James Kerr

"Be our Guest" Disney

Setting the Table by Danny Meyer

Leadership and Self Deception by The Abridger Institute 

Welcome to another Founder Friday! We are talking with Nathan Quillo, Founder of Quills Coffee. You will get to learn about the methods, values, and vision that makes Quills Coffee tick / The importance of buy-in and communication / What are some of the keys to their success / and the three things Nathan think every owner should do. This was a fun talk and Nathan offers up some really great tools and perspective that I think you will be greatly helped by. 

ATTENTION!!! Please Consider donating to The Memorial Fund for Quills Barista Francis Feeney: Link: Gofundme

Links:

Quills Coffee

The E Myth Revisited

www.keystotheshop.com

As we build our careers we take on more responsibility and authority. Building trust and helping build the community around you is a critical part of your success and how that plays out in your cafe will determine how it plays out in the industry. As a long time trainer and industry leader, Reggie Elliott has embodied these values. We get to talk about his career, how he helped build the coffee community wherever he was, how he trains baristas, and his advice for trainers, leaders, and whoever else has position of influence. Reggie is someone you should listen to. 

Enjoy!

LINKS:

• Reggie Instagram
• Reggie Twitter
• DMV Coffee
• Restaurant: A Rakes Progress
• La Colombe

Conflict at work is inevitable but it does not have to take a negative turn. Hard conversations and confrontations handled well can actually enhance your relationships, the team in the cafe, and benefit our industry as a whole. This week it is an absolute privilege that we get to learn from world renowned executive coach and communications expert, Tom Henschel.

In this episode Tom give us the tools and shows us how to use them to help work through both our inner and outer conflicts. I really hope you give this a couple listens and get the notes as well. Just like the conversations discussed here, skillfully handling conflict is crucial to our success. 

    -Chris 

LINKS:

www.essentialcomm.com

Tom's Linkedin Page

Recommended Book: Crucial Conversations

When people experience our coffee they are left with an impression that is largely made up of what they saw. What kind of impact does design have a customer's experience of your business? What are the keys to good design? What are the first steps you need to take to assess the state of design in your business? This week we are joined by the amazing designer Liz Chai. Liz works 100% in the specialty coffee industry and shares with us what she  has learned about effective design for coffee. You're going to want to listen up! 

Enjoy!

Links:

www.chai.coffee

twitter: @chaiamericano 

Instagram: @chaiamericano 

It's the 50th Episode of Keys to the Shop and I had the opportunity to interview 5 people live at the Kentuckiana Coffee Champs Pre-lims this past weekend. In this 2nd edition of Baristas Speak Nathan Quillo, Sam Miers, Cimara Dunn, Matt Park, and Rita Kaminsky join me to give their thoughts on the role of the barista, lessons they have learned, and advice to current and future baristas all of which you will definitely want to hear.

Let me just say...Thank you for listening to Keys to the Shop! 50 episodes later and there is still so much to talk about. It's been great to grow and learn along with you and I'm looking forward to what the next 50 holds!

Links:

- Nathan Quillo / Quills Coffee

- Sam Miers / Kaldi's Coffee

- Cimara Dunn / Quills Coffee

- Matt Park / Plus Coffee

- Rita Kaminsky / Snowdrift Coffee & Workspace