This year we got to learn from some of the best owner/operators around in the Founder Friday series. In this episode we go through from the beginning and listen in to some key points made by each of our superstar guests. Looking back at the kind of lessons and insights we heard, I am just amazed and grateful to be in an industry so rich with generous and talented people making a difference in specialty coffee. You definitely not want to miss this episode.
With this episode we conclude a full year of Keys to the Shop. Thank you so much for listening, subscribing, rating, commenting, sharing...all of it. I am blessed by you all and am looking forward to what in store for 2018!
Happy New Year!
P.S. Still time to vote for KTTS for "Best Coffee Podcast" visit: http://sprudge.com/vote
Links to past Founder Friday episodes:
#1: Taylor & Shem Doupe / Cafe Soleil
#2:Maxwell Mooney / Narrative Coffee pt 1
#3:Jonathan Rubenstein / Joe Coffee
#5: Chelsey Walker-Watson / Slate Coffee Roasters
#6: Katie Startzman / Native Bagel Co.
#7: Maxwell Mooney pt 2 (brick and mortar report)
#8: Kathy Turiano / Joe Bean Coffee Roasters
#9: Jason Card / Journeyman Coffee
#10:Nathan Quillo / Quills Coffee
#11:Joshua Boyt / Metronome Coffee
Well 2017 is pretty much in the bag and it has been a year filled with great guests, great topics, insights, information, inspiration, and tools to help us grow. In this episode we go over some of the best lessons learned this year. It is all arranged according to the arc of a coffee career. Starting with lessons for beginning baristas, getting promoted, moving on, being a great boss, serving your people and the customer well, training, and our impact on the coffee farm.
It has been fantastic to see what a wide range of subjects we've been able to learn about this year and I look forward to the adventures ahead of us in 2018 discovering many more Keys to the Shop!
In this episode we covered the following past shows:
1. ep#31:Essential Advice for New Baristas / #14: A Baristas Guide to Advancing / #15: What to do if you Don't Advance
2. ep#52: Solving Co-worker Conflict w/ Tom Henschel
3. ep#28: Why it's OK to be the Boss w/ Bruce Tulgan
4. ep#04: Leadership in the Cafe: 10 steps to being a people first Leader
5. ep#13: Leadership & Management Masterclass w/ Eva Attia
6. ep#25: Mastering the Art of Training w/ Dave Stachowiak
7. #02: Master your Workflow w/ Ryan Soeder
8. ep#19: 10 Reasons to love the Customer / #16 Raising the Bar on your Customer Experience w/ Michael Butterworth
9. ep#55: Keys to Personal Growth and Development w/ Jared Truby
10. ep#60: Serving the Coffee Plant w/ Hanna Neuschwander
Email me : Chris@keystotheshop.com
WWW.KEYSTOTHESHOP.COM
There are a ton of factors that influence the flavor of coffee. Some of the most significant factors happen during the roasting process. Todays guest, Rob Hoos is author of the book Modualting the Flavor Profile of Coffee, a book that breaks down and explores those elements inherent in the roasting process. In this episode we talk about the book, his perspective on the roasting industry, the relationship between production and the shop, how the water and ratio you use in brewing may be giving you an inaccurate view of other roaster's coffees, how best to give feedback to the roaster, and how 83 point coffees can save the world. There's a lot more and I hope you enjoy this conversation with the great, Rob Hoos!
Coffee Technology by Michael Sivets
2017 World Barista Champion, Dale Harris of the of Has Bean Coffee in the UK talks with us about his winning presentation, lessons from both his professional and competition career, his advice to baristas, and what are the most pressing things that we in coffee service should be focusing on and more! Dale brings both an elevated and grounded view of specialty coffee the table and it was just a great honor to get to learn from his experiences. I hope you find this conversation as inspirational as I did.
Links:
Voting for the 9th annual Sprudgie Awards is open!
Vote for Keys to the Shop for "Best Coffee Podcast" Click here
When it comes to coffee, what do you think of when I say "Brazil"? Chances are good that some of the things that come to mind are, in fact misconceptions. On today's episode, Kelly Stein, Host of the Brazilian coffee podcast, Coffea, helps us explore the true bounty and quality that Brazil has to offer, dispel myths that plague the country, and gives us actions we can take to properly relate the coffee of Brazil. The information in this interview can be applied to all coffee and I hope we can walk away from this conversation having a different mindset toward both Brazil and the way we approach origins on the whole.
Enjoy!
COFFEA links:
https://www.facebook.com/portalCOFFEA/
https://www.instagram.com/portalcoffea/
I highly recommend this special episode in English: What you should know about Brazilian coffee.
http://portalcoffea.com/episodes/ep-03-what-you-should-know-about-brazilian-coffee/
OTHER LINKS IN ENGLISH:
http://portalcoffea.com/episodes/coffea01-verticalization-in-coffee/
http://portalcoffea.com/episodes/ep-02-brazilian-women-in-coffee/
http://portalcoffea.com/episodes/ep-03-what-you-should-know-about-brazilian-coffee/
http://portalcoffea.com/episodes/ep-04-coffee-seasonality-in-brazil/
If you want to know my work at the magazines:
STIR Tea&Coffee
http://stir-tea-coffee.com/topics/kelly-stein/
Barista Magazine
http://www.baristamagazine.com/baristas-brazil/
http://www.baristamagazine.com/history-coffee-science-brazil/
http://www.baristamagazine.com/brazil-great-coffee-science/
http://www.baristamagazine.com/10-minutes-martha-grill/
Without the coffee plant we have no coffee industry. The sustainability of coffee plants, farms, and farmers is the cornerstone of what we do and determines everything in regards to what is possible in coffee quality. This week we get to learn from Hanna Neuschwander, Director of Communications at World Coffee Research about the history and current state of both coffee plant and what part the coffee retailer has played, and can play, in shaping its development. There are many challenges that threaten coffee's future, but the more the two ends of the supply chain work together the more likely it is that those challenges will be overcome
Enjoy!
LINKS BELOW
Email: chris@keystotheshop.com
Its Founder Friday and this time we are talking with Joshua Boyt, Founder of Metronome Coffee in Tacoma, Washington!
Joshua brings really amazing passion, energy, and insights as we talk about his beginnings in coffee, founding his cafe and consulting business, running a great business, hiring well, and finding your true purpose.
If you want to get inspired today then you've come to the right place!
LINKS:
Joshuab@tuningforkconsulting.com
Phone: 253-677-3793
Holiday season in the cafe is predictably busy, intense, and stressful. Not just for us but also for the customers! Today we explore 5 things to do to take the stress out of the holiday season in the shop and to create an welcoming and warm environment amidst the frantic pace all around us. With some forethought, planning, and a generous spirit we can come out the other side of this time being stronger and proud of the level of service and care we gave in spite of the obstacles.
Enjoy and happy Thanksgiving!
Related Episodes:
Episode 30:Matching Your Service to Your Quality
Episode 31: Essential Advice for New Baristas
Episode 32: Making Order Out of Chaos
Email: Chris@keystotheshop.com
SOPs FTW!
In order for any operation to be successful it needs to be supported by a set of well crafted Standard Operating Procedures or SOPs. In many a cafe there is a great need for more thorough, clear, and relevant communication around the daily tasks as things often get lost in translation and quality, as a result, is inconsistent. In this episode we walk you through the process of understanding, creating, instituting, and enforcing effective SOPs in your shop.
This was a topic requested by several listeners and I know, from my own experience with seeing SOPs in action, that this content will be very useful to effect positive change in your shop or to maintain a quality standard over the long haul.
ENJOY!
Links:
Email me with comment, questions, and suggestions: chris@keystotheshop.com
Sleepwalking happens to us all at different points in our careers and for a variety of reasons. Though the reasons may vary the results are the same. Missed opportunity, lack of fulfillment, disillusionment, growth stagnates, we may even wonder why we are doing this in the first place! Today we will explore 7 of the main causes for why we check out for lengths of time and how we can wake up, become aware and be intentional with the work and opportunities that surround us.
This episode is of profound importance an I hope you take the suggestions to heart as I know they have been powerful and effective in my own pursuit to stop sleepwalking through my career.
Enjoy!
Links:
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:
Books Recommended:
"Getting Naked" by Patrick Lincionni
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:
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:
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:
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:
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
- Rita Kaminsky / Snowdrift Coffee & Workspace
Are you wanting to start something in your town based a shared passion for coffee? Do you want to invest more into your existing community and want some tips from a seasoned pro? Today's guest will address those question and more. Jason Card is the founder of Journeyman Coffee in Tallahassee, FL and in today's Founder Friday episode we get to talk with him about building community where there is none, founding Journeyman, the importance of enthusiasm, humility, and lessons he has learned along his journey. Jason is such a wise soul and I hope you find this conversation helpful and inspiring.
Enjoy!
LINKS:
Steve Cuevas of Black Oak Coffee Roasters is the 2017 U.S. Cup Tasters Champion and he is here to here to talk to us about learning to taste, tips for developing your palate, and talking to customers about coffee with confidence, and empathy.
His approach to cupping and communicating about coffee to consumers is generous and refreshing and will inspire you to expand your approach too.
Enjoy!
LINKS:
Instagram: @dreadfulvegan
Episodes Mentioned:
Ah Latte art...that ubiquitous often ill used symbol of specialty coffee in the eye of the consumer and to the professional both a creative outlet and a seal given to a well made drink.
This week we sit down to talk all about latte art with four accomplished latte artists: Jibbi Little, Antoine Franklin, Kenny Smith, and Christopher "Nicely" Alameda.
They share their origin story, what latte art means to them and how it's changed over the years, some of the dangers that obsession w/ latte art poses, and advice for how we can improve our art and grow as professionals in the cafe.
I absolutely loved hearing their insights and perspectives and I would bet money you will too! Enjoy!
Links:
Jibbi Little
Antoine Franklin
Kenny Smith
Nicely
In the coffee world, like anywhere else, we love to compare ourselves to other baristas, managers, owners etc. and see how we stack up. Often this can lead to stress, worry, depression, lack of clarity, wasted energy, loss of opportunity, and many other negative consequences. In today's episode we explore some of the ways negative comparisons can damage your shop and your career and ways to avoid getting caught in the comparison trap.
"Comparison is the death of joy" -Mark Twain
LINKS:
Episode 08: Finding Joy in Coffee / Nathanael May
https://bloomerang.co/blog/what-is-your-nonprofits-return-on-mission/
Providing amazing hospitality for the guests in your shop does not have to be complicated. Today's guest, Philip Paul Turner, Manager at Sunergos Coffee, shares his 3 step approach to providing great hospitality that has become his mantra to the staff at his shop and it can transform the way you welcome people into your space. I get to work with Philip and see him put these principles into action very day and can vouch for their effectiveness. I truly know of no better example of genuine and contagious hospitality than Philip so it was great to get him to dive into the things and inspire us to achieve simple, powerful hospitality.
Enjoy!
Links:
Setting the Table - Danny Meyer
Even though mistakes and failure in coffee are a normal part of the learning process they can be hard to deal with, embarrassing, and often can derail our progress. Today we talk about some best practices I have discovered from personal experience for navigating both the small and the serious failures we all have or will encounter as we continue our work in coffee. You will learn how to move through challenges, avoid surprises, recover from major failures in job performance, the importance of humility, and how to truly change a problem behavior for good, and much more.
If you address these issue in the proper way they can be the most important thing that ever happens to you and your career.
This episode is personally challenging as it reflects events from my history in coffee all the way up to events happening today in my work. I do hope this is useful for you for the mistakes and failures you're having to overcome.
Enjoy!
This Founder Friday we talk with Kathy Turiano, Co-Owner of the award winning, Joe Bean Coffee Roasters in Rochester, NY. In this episode you will hear the epic story of how Joe Bean embraced radical change to come back from major set backs early on in the life of the business. I know you will find their example of over coming challenges, learning, collaboration, hospitality, continued exploration, and investment into their team truly inspirational. This was a phenomenal conversation!
Enjoy!
LINKS:
Book:
There are many hands that contribute to specialty coffee ecosystem. In addition to farmers, green coffee importers and roasters supplying our shops we all rely on specialty coffee equipment suppliers to get the gear we need to make great coffee. Just like sourcing great coffee, the best suppliers are very particular with what they stock and offer. Today to explore that process further we get to talk with Steve Reinhart, Brand Manager for our sponsor on Keys to the Shop, Prima Coffee.
Steve talks with us about his journey into coffee, and his role in product curation and testing. We also get to learn the history of Prima Coffee and how empathy drives their company culture. Lastly Steve tells us what he believes are the top three things that we should be considering before purchasing equipment.
Wise words there for sure. Enjoy!
LINKS:
One of the best places we can go to gain inspiration, be educated, find insight, and experience life in a different and deeper way is printed page. In the midst of an endless sea of available content, Standart Magazine stands out as a leader in this arena for specialty coffee. Content Director for Standart Magazine, Luke Adams, talks to us this week about the philosophy and process behind curating the excellent writing and content that makes Standart unique and impactful. We talk about the future of coffee, parallels between great writing and a great cafe experience, among many other things. I believe this will help inspire you to greater heights in your career and hopefully to pursue the kind of learning and engagement with different ideas all around us that will help shape you and our industry for the better.
Enjoy!
LINKS:
www.keystotheshop.com