Cat & Cloud Podcast

Cat & Cloud Podcast  Cat & Cloud Coffee www.catandcloud.com/ Finding Joy in Every Season of Work: Part I – Ep #440 Summary In this episode, Chris and Jared (plus Casey) reflect on the early days that pulled us into specialty coffee and how those experiences shaped the work we’re still doing today. From skateboarding friendships and barista competitions to building cafés and leading teams, we talk about how the things that bring joy evolve over time. As careers grow and responsibilities expand, the work changes—and sometimes the parts you loved most become harder to hold onto. We explore the idea that every season of life and business brings different sources of meaning, and that part of the real work is finding the through lines that keep the joy alive. This conversation looks back at where it all started while asking an ongoing question: how do you stay connected to the things that made you love the work in the first place? Chapters 00:00 – Missing the Old Days: Skate Culture, Community, and the Idea of “a Place”
 05:00 – What Attracted you to Coffee and the Industry?
 10:30 – Origin and Drive Around Being a Competitive Barista
 15:00 – Competition, Connection, and Energy
 20:00 – Competitions as a Frontier of New Ideas, and Judging 27:10 -- Barista Origins and Attitudes in the Business DNA Today
 31:00 – Competition and Competition Evolution 38:00 – Transitioning to Career Focus 40:45 – Moving Forward and End of Part 1 Cat & Cloud: Instagram www.instagram.com/catcloudcoffee/ Webstore www.catandcloud.com/ Roasters Choice Subscription www.catandcloud.com/collections/subscriptions Wholesale Partners! Interested in serving our coffee at your business? Learn more about our Partner Program https://catandcloud.com/wholesale Cat & Cloud Coffee was founded in 2016 by three friends who believe experiences and connections shape our lives. Former barista champions and lifelong coffee professionals, they envisioned a better way to do business and set out to create a values-driven organization that put culture first. Our mission is to inspire connection by creating memorable experiences. Whether it's with guests in our 4 retail locations in Santa Cruz, our team members, or our wholesale partners across the country, we strive to leave everyone better than we found them.  The Cat & Cloud Podcast is a space for us to share our experiences and adventures in coffee and business in hopes of inspiring more people to create culture and values-driven organizations.  Hosted by Chris Baca and Jared Truby Produced by Casey Ryan March 2026

Cat & Cloud Podcast  Cat & Cloud Coffee www.catandcloud.com/ On-Stage, Off-Stage: Why Owners Stand in Line (And Other Hospitality Go’s & No-Go’s) – Ep #439 Summary In this episode, Jared, Chris, and Casey riff on authenticity and then dig into hospitality as “on-stage vs off-stage” work—treating a café like a live performance where everything guests see, hear, and feel (cleanliness, order, smell, noise, staff energy) shapes the experience before they even taste the coffee. They unpack “clubhousing” as a major no-go—when staff get lost in their own conversations or tasks and fail to include guests—and argue that the goal isn’t robotic service but a shared framework that helps people be more present and human. A key leadership practice is cafe/restaurant owners standing in line and experiencing the business like a guest to spot friction and keep perspective. Chris closes with his biggest hospitality deal-breakers: letting the register conversation drag while a line builds, ignoring “hovering” guests who need help, and creating perceived unavailability—because being seen and acknowledged is often the difference between a tense room and a great one. Chapters 00:00 Cold Open 05:00 On-stage vs off-stage behavior in service 08:00 First impressions: cleanliness, orderliness, and “do they care?” 17:30 Club Housing: what it is and why it’s toxic to guest experience 26:30 Loving something vs Loving it and acts of service 30:30 Leadership Habits: Witness user touch-points, and Standing in Line 36:40 Remember to Place yourself in Guest Mindset 42:40 Hot Takes and Hospitality No Goes! 46:45 Perceived unavailability + the easiest fix: acknowledge people 52:30 Strong Opinions matched with Empathy and a Growth Mindset Cat & Cloud: Instagram www.instagram.com/catcloudcoffee/ Webstore www.catandcloud.com/ Roasters Choice Subscription www.catandcloud.com/collections/subscriptions Interested in serving our coffee at your business? Become a Wholesale Partner! Learn more about our Partner Program https://catandcloud.com/wholesale Cat & Cloud Coffee was founded in 2016 by three friends who believe experiences and connections shape our lives. Former barista champions and lifelong coffee professionals, they envisioned a better way to do business and set out to create a values-driven organization that put culture first. Our mission is to inspire connection by creating memorable experiences. Whether it's with guests in our 4 retail locations in Santa Cruz, our team members, or our wholesale partners across the country, we strive to leave everyone better than we found them.  The Cat & Cloud Podcast is a space for us to share our experiences and adventures in coffee and business in hopes of inspiring more people to create culture and values-driven organizations.  Hosted by Chris Baca and Jared Truby Produced by Casey Ryan Feb 2026

Cat & Cloud Podcast Cat & Cloud Coffee www.catandcloud.com/ Specialty Coffee Ambassador: Meeting Guests Where They Are - Ep# 438 EPISODE SUMMARY Chris, Jared, and Casey dig into a classic specialty coffee problem: the gap between “coffee nerd language” and what customers actually need to have a great experience. They unpack why trust and hospitality come before origin stories and point scores, and how to guide people with simple, confidence-building choices instead of overwhelm. Along the way they riff on the limits of the 80+ point mindset, why the market ultimately decides what’s valuable, and how cafés can create “stair steps” that help guests level up over time. The thesis is simple: make it welcoming, make it relatable, and help people win on their first step. CHAPTER TITLES 00:00 Cold Open: Fruit and Chocolate, and Casey on the Mic 05:00 Scrum Boards and the “Smallest Viable” Way to Improve 15:00 Sharing in Specialty Coffee: Engage and Build Trust 21:00 It’s a Party not a Club. Welcoming others into Specialty Coffee 26:00 Specialty Scores, Coffee Assessment, and What “Value” Really Means 35:00 Specialty Coffee Industry Shifts 45:00 Knowing and Responding to the Guest Cat & Cloud: Instagram www.instagram.com/catcloudcoffee/ Webstore www.catandcloud.com/ We LOVE our Wholesale Partners! Interested in serving our coffee at your business? Learn more about our Partner Program https://catandcloud.com/pages/wholesale Links – The Home of Scrum: scrum.org Scrum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time - by Jeffrey Sutherland and J.J. Sutherland (book) Cat & Cloud Coffee was founded in 2016 by three friends who believe experiences and connections shape our lives. Former barista champions and lifelong coffee professionals, they envisioned a better way to do business and set out to create a values-driven organization that put culture first. Our mission is to inspire connection by creating memorable experiences. Whether it's with guests in our 4 retail locations in Santa Cruz, our team members, or our wholesale partners across the country, we strive to leave everyone better than we found them. The Cat & Cloud Podcast is a space for us to share our experiences and adventures in coffee and business in hopes of inspiring more people to create culture and values-driven organizations. Hosted by Chris Baca and Jared Truby Produced by: Casey Ryan Feb. 2026

Cat & Cloud Podcast The Evolution of Leadership: From Barista to Business Owner - Episode #437 Cat & Cloud Coffee www.catandcloud.com/ Summary In Episode #437, Chris and Jared explore the real shift that happens when you move from barista to business owner. What once felt like fast-paced camaraderie and clear wins on bar becomes a slower, more complex game of systems, sacrifice, and long-term responsibility. They talk through the hidden cost of leadership, the tension between collaboration and independence, and why owners often see a hundred problems before they see progress. The takeaway: leadership evolves, satisfaction changes, and the key is choosing agency—building momentum on purpose instead of drifting through the role. Chapters 00:00 “Is Someone Dead?”: Walking Into a Silent Roastery Meditation 06:00 Love and Hate with Chris Baca 14:00 From Barista to Boss 20:00 The Cost of Leadership, Herb Brooks and Miracle:The Boys of ‘80 26:00 Where do you find satisfaction? 31:00 Business owners often only see what needs to be done 41:00 Agency: Stop Drifting and Choose Your Next Season Cat & Cloud: Instagram www.instagram.com/catcloudcoffee/ Webstore www.catandcloud.com/ We LOVE our Wholesale Partners! Interested in serving our coffee at your business? Learn more about our Partner Program https://catandcloud.com/pages/wholesale Links – Miracle: The Boys of '80 | Official Trailer, Netflix 2026 Cat & Cloud Coffee was founded in 2016 by three friends who believe experiences and connections shape our lives. Former barista champions and lifelong coffee professionals, they envisioned a better way to do business and set out to create a values-driven organization that put culture first. Our mission is to inspire connection by creating memorable experiences. Whether it's with guests in our 4 retail locations in Santa Cruz, our team members, or our wholesale partners across the country, we strive to leave everyone better than we found them. The Cat & Cloud Podcast is a space for us to share our experiences and adventures in coffee and business in hopes of inspiring more people to create culture and values-driven organizations.

What Matters Most When Opening a Coffee Shop- and Where to Spend Your Money - Episode #436 Cat & Cloud Coffee www.catandcloud.com/ Summary Thinking about opening a coffee shop? Here’s where your money actually matters—and where it doesn’t. In this episode, Chris Baca and Jared Truby…aka Dale ;) unpack what actually matters when you’re opening (or refreshing) a café: create a real feeling of place without overspending on flashy build-out, “blow the bag” on the essentials (espresso machine, grinders, and water filtration), and don’t get distracted by optional prestige projects like roasting, direct trade, or origin travel before the core experience is dialed. They also zoom out on how café design has evolved since early third-wave homogeneity and land on a grounded definition of “sustaining excellence”: either innovate with intention or “plus the show” by obsessively maintaining the details that signal care—because culture is what people learn to accept as normal. Chapters 00:00 Monterey and Coffee 07:00 Opening a New Coffee Shop? 13:30 Business reflects the people who started it 21:00 Should I Roast Myself? 29:00 Homogeny in Coffee Shop Design 33:20 What’s Worth It vs. What’s Hype 42:00 Plus the Show Cat & Cloud: Instagram www.instagram.com/catcloudcoffee/ Webstore www.catandcloud.com/ We LOVE our Wholesale Partners! Interested in serving our coffee at your business? Learn more about our Partner Program https://catandcloud.com/pages/wholesale Links – Six Over Coffee https://www.instagram.com/sixovercoffee/?hl=en Cat & Cloud Coffee was founded in 2016 by three friends who believe experiences and connections shape our lives. Former barista champions and lifelong coffee professionals, they envisioned a better way to do business and set out to create a values-driven organization that put culture first. Our mission is to inspire connection by creating memorable experiences. Whether it's with guests in our 4 retail locations in Santa Cruz, our team members, or our wholesale partners across the country, we strive to leave everyone better than we found them. The Cat & Cloud Podcast is a space for us to share our experiences and adventures in coffee and business in hopes of inspiring more people to create culture and values-driven organizations.

Scaling Excellence Without Losing The Soul of Your Company In this episode, Jared, Chris, and Charles wrestle with the challenge of scaling excellence while protecting culture. Drawing from a recent leadership offsite, they explore why growth doesn’t dilute a company’s soul—unprotected culture does. The conversation breaks down the role of founder-led vision, repeatable systems, and strong local leadership in turning values into daily behavior, while addressing hiring, pruning, and the real costs of doing things well. At its core, this episode is about choosing intentional growth, aligning people and purpose, and doing the hard work required to scale with integrity. Chapters: 0:00 – Cold Mornings, Ramen Bars, and Pajama Parties
 5:00 – The Core Question: Can You Scale Without Losing Your Soul?
 11:30 – Scaling Culture, Not Just Stores
 15:30 – Founder-Led Vision and Intentional Obsession
 22:30 – Systems Don’t Kill Culture—Neglect Does
 29:30 – Hiring and the Cultural Fit
 36:30 – Can Excellence Be Scaled at All?
 45:00 – Growth as a Choice, Not a Requirement
 50:00 – Final Reflections: Protecting the North Star
 Links – Bici Coffee @ Rosewood Hotel https://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/sand-hill-menlo-park/dining/bici-coffee Cat & Cloud: Instagram www.instagram.com/catcloudcoffee/ Webstore www.catandcloud.com/ We are Cat & Cloud Coffee. Started by three friends trying to pursue their passions with the mission to inspire connection by creating memorable experiences, and we created this podcast to continue forming those connections inside and out of our cafes. The Cat & Cloud podcast was created as a space for us to share our experiences in the coffee industry and starting a business. Each week we sit down to talk about new challenges as business owners, how we utilize our mission and values to make decisions, and answer questions from our listening community. If you’re looking to expand your coffee knowledge, get some advice for your own small business, or just like the vibes, give us a listen! Enjoy!

In this week’s episode, Jared and Chris explore the difference between creating procedures people follow and building systems people believe in. They explore New Zealand’s coffee culture, why team buy-in matters instead of just compliance, and what happens when employees are asked to adopt systems they didn’t help create. Along the way, they discuss how strong teams embrace challenges during change — and why respected long-term employees often become the key stewards of lasting system improvement. (00:00) Coffee Culture on the other side of the Planet (05:00) Kiwi Coffee Organizations (11:25) Buy-in vs Compliance (19:25) Employee Ownership of a System They Didn’t Create (23:00) Teams Embracing Challenge During Change (34:00) Veteran Employees as System Stewards 🔗 Links – Brenè Brown - Dare to Lead (2018) https://brenebrown.com/book/dare-to-lead/ Bob Chapman - Everybody Matters: The Extraordinary Power of Caring for you People Like Family (2015) https://www.barrywehmiller.com/bobchapman/book Cat & Cloud: Instagram www.instagram.com/catcloudcoffee/ Webstore www.catandcloud.com/ We are Cat & Cloud Coffee. Started by three friends trying to pursue their passions with the mission to inspire connection by creating memorable experiences, and we created this podcast to continue forming those connections inside and out of our cafes. The Cat & Cloud podcast was created as a space for us to share our experiences in the coffee industry and starting a business. Each week we sit down to talk about new challenges as business owners, how we utilize our mission and values to make decisions, and answer questions from our listening community. If you’re looking to expand your coffee knowledge, get some advice for your own small business, or just like the vibes, give us a listen! Enjoy!

This week on the podcast we are chatting about what could be in the new year and ultimately touch on a few things that could go a long way to help – Getting away from it all. From things like vacations all the way to just not having your phone on you, especially during a shift behind the bar, there are a lot of things you can do to make sure your perspective is refreshed and ready for what’s next. Ultimately we are just excited about things to come. This new year has a lot of opportunities for us and we are excited to go into it with the best mindsets. Our heads are clean, clear, and under control. 🔗 Links – Cat & Cloud: Instagram www.instagram.com/catcloudcoffee/ Webstore www.catandcloud.com/ We are Cat & Cloud Coffee. Started by three friends trying to pursue their passions with the mission to inspire connection by creating memorable experiences, and we created this podcast to continue forming those connections inside and out of our cafes. The Cat & Cloud podcast was created as a space for us to share our experiences in the coffee industry and starting a business. Each week we sit down to talk about new challenges as business owners, how we utilize our mission and values to make decisions, and answer questions from our listening community. If you’re looking to expand your coffee knowledge, get some advice for your own small business, or just like the vibes, give us a listen! Enjoy!

In this episode, we explore the collaborative spirit of the coffee industry and why we value sharing knowledge even with our peers and competitors. We discuss how adopting standards and certifications helps us evolve and allows us to better serve large-scale partners. Throughout the conversation, we reflect on the importance of community connection and the unique local culture that defines how we live out our business. We also address the challenges of "craft under pressure," focusing on how leaders can navigate financial stress and industry disruptions with resilience. We share our thoughts on the necessity of unlearning old habits to adapt to a changing environment and avoid the trap of burnout. Ultimately, we encourage you to approach your career and leadership with intentionality, balancing achievement with a sustainable focus on self-care. 🔗 Links – Cat & Cloud: Instagram www.instagram.com/catcloudcoffee/ Webstore www.catandcloud.com/ We are Cat & Cloud Coffee. Started by three friends trying to pursue their passions with the mission to inspire connection by creating memorable experiences, and we created this podcast to continue forming those connections inside and out of our cafes. The Cat & Cloud podcast was created as a space for us to share our experiences in the coffee industry and starting a business. Each week we sit down to talk about new challenges as business owners, how we utilize our mission and values to make decisions, and answer questions from our listening community. If you’re looking to expand your coffee knowledge, get some advice for your own small business, or just like the vibes, give us a listen! Enjoy!

This episode is a wide-ranging conversation about how coffee businesses support people at different stages, from new partners to experienced teams. Marc joins the show to talk about wholesale, training, and why the goal isn’t to force one “right” way of doing things, but to help partners find systems that actually work for their reality. Along the way, the conversation touches on craft, technology, and hospitality — how simplicity can be more empowering than complexity, why consistency matters more than perfection, and how good tools and thoughtful training help teams take better care of guests. At its core, the episode is about meeting people where they are and building coffee programs that balance quality, accessibility, and real-world execution. 🔗 Links – Marcs clown nightmare fule: https://catandcloud.com/pages/podcast-show-notes Cat & Cloud: Instagram www.instagram.com/catcloudcoffee/ Webstore www.catandcloud.com/ We are Cat & Cloud Coffee. Started by three friends trying to pursue their passions with the mission to inspire connection by creating memorable experiences, and we created this podcast to continue forming those connections inside and out of our cafes. The Cat & Cloud podcast was created as a space for us to share our experiences in the coffee industry and starting a business. Each week we sit down to talk about new challenges as business owners, how we utilize our mission and values to make decisions, and answer questions from our listening community. If you’re looking to expand your coffee knowledge, get some advice for your own small business, or just like the vibes, give us a listen! Enjoy!

This week is a classic “how did we get here?” episode — starting with the pain of losing a recording, then jumping into what’s been happening in our world, from a surprise New York Times mention to a hospitality-heavy event with Mazzer at Sightglass. We talk about what makes coffee service feel special without getting stuck in inside-baseball language, and how energy, flow, and intention can shape the whole experience. From there we spiral into specialty coffee in places built for speed, using Downtown Disney as the example: expectations, wait times, identity, and why “special” has to be obvious and deliver fast if it’s going to work in high-volume environments. We close out nerding on espresso size and extraction trends — how coffee’s swung from tiny ristretto culture to modern big shots — and what all of that says about where coffee (and our own work) is headed. 🔗 Links – New York Times, 5 Podcasts to Help You Savor Coffee: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/29/arts/podcasts-coffee-cuppings-brewing.html Reuters, Nestlé explores sale of Blue Bottle Coffee: https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/nestl-explores-sale-blue-bottle-coffee-sources-say-2025-12-01/ Cat & Cloud: Instagram www.instagram.com/catcloudcoffee/ Webstore www.catandcloud.com/ We are Cat & Cloud Coffee. Started by three friends trying to pursue their passions with the mission to inspire connection by creating memorable experiences, and we created this podcast to continue forming those connections inside and out of our cafes. The Cat & Cloud podcast was created as a space for us to share our experiences in the coffee industry and starting a business. Each week we sit down to talk about new challenges as business owners, how we utilize our mission and values to make decisions, and answer questions from our listening community. If you’re looking to expand your coffee knowledge, get some advice for your own small business, or just like the vibes, give us a listen! Enjoy!

This episode explores how company culture is shaped by the balance between craft and hospitality. We talk about what happens when standards exist without care, and when care exists without standards — and why both extremes create problems for teams and guests alike. Culture, in this sense, becomes the set of signals that tell people how to make the right call in real moments. At its core, the conversation is about clarity and support. When leaders clearly communicate what matters and back it up through consistent decisions, teams don’t have to guess whether perfection or people come first. The goal isn’t choosing one over the other, but building a culture where craft and hospitality work together to create experiences that feel both thoughtful and human. 🔗 Links – Cat & Cloud: Instagram www.instagram.com/catcloudcoffee/ Webstore www.catandcloud.com/ We are Cat & Cloud Coffee. Started by three friends trying to pursue their passions with the mission to inspire connection by creating memorable experiences, and we created this podcast to continue forming those connections inside and out of our cafes. The Cat & Cloud podcast was created as a space for us to share our experiences in the coffee industry and starting a business. Each week we sit down to talk about new challenges as business owners, how we utilize our mission and values to make decisions, and answer questions from our listening community. If you’re looking to expand your coffee knowledge, get some advice for your own small business, or just like the vibes, give us a listen! Enjoy!

This week’s episode is all about culture — what it is, why it matters, and how it actually shows up in the day-to-day. We talk about how culture isn’t a slogan or a vibe; it’s the collection of choices, habits, and behaviors that shape how a team works together. From communication to expectations to how people support each other, culture becomes real through what consistently happens inside the business. At the core of the conversation is the idea that culture isn’t fixed. It has to be built, protected, and sometimes rebuilt. When leaders set clear examples, hold standards, and create space for honest conversation, culture becomes a tool that helps everyone thrive. When they don’t, it drifts. This episode is a look at how to be intentional about the environment you’re creating — and why that intention makes all the difference. 🔗 Links – Cat & Cloud: Instagram www.instagram.com/catcloudcoffee/ Webstore www.catandcloud.com/ We are Cat & Cloud Coffee. Started by three friends trying to pursue their passions with the mission to inspire connection by creating memorable experiences, and we created this podcast to continue forming those connections inside and out of our cafes. The Cat & Cloud podcast was created as a space for us to share our experiences in the coffee industry and starting a business. Each week we sit down to talk about new challenges as business owners, how we utilize our mission and values to make decisions, and answer questions from our listening community. If you’re looking to expand your coffee knowledge, get some advice for your own small business, or just like the vibes, give us a listen! Enjoy!

This week we talk about what it really looks like to think ahead in a business. Instead of getting stuck reacting to today’s problems, we look at how small, intentional planning can make everything smoother — from scheduling and staffing to equipment, goals, and long-term projects. It’s about choosing direction instead of drift. The big idea is simple: forward thinking isn’t fancy. It’s noticing what keeps tripping you up, fixing it before it becomes a pattern, and giving yourself space to plan for what’s coming. When you do that consistently, the future gets a lot easier to manage. 🔗 Links – Cat & Cloud: Instagram www.instagram.com/catcloudcoffee/ Webstore www.catandcloud.com/ We are Cat & Cloud Coffee. Started by three friends trying to pursue their passions with the mission to inspire connection by creating memorable experiences, and we created this podcast to continue forming those connections inside and out of our cafes. The Cat & Cloud podcast was created as a space for us to share our experiences in the coffee industry and starting a business. Each week we sit down to talk about new challenges as business owners, how we utilize our mission and values to make decisions, and answer questions from our listening community. If you’re looking to expand your coffee knowledge, get some advice for your own small business, or just like the vibes, give us a listen! Enjoy!

This week we dig into The Predictive Index and how tools like it can help leaders better understand the people on their team. Instead of guessing at strengths, motivations, or communication styles, PI creates a clearer picture of how someone naturally works — and how to set them up for success. We talk about why these insights matter, how they can guide hiring and coaching, and where they fit alongside culture, values, and real-world performance. At its core, this episode is about using data to support people, not define them. PI isn’t a shortcut or a replacement for good leadership; it’s a way to communicate better, set clearer expectations, and build teams that function with more empathy and alignment. When leaders combine tools like this with strong values and intentional culture, they create workplaces where people actually thrive. 🔗 Links – The Predictive Index: https://www.predictiveindex.com/ Cat & Cloud: Instagram www.instagram.com/catcloudcoffee/ Webstore www.catandcloud.com/ We are Cat & Cloud Coffee. Started by three friends trying to pursue their passions with the mission to inspire connection by creating memorable experiences, and we created this podcast to continue forming those connections inside and out of our cafes. The Cat & Cloud podcast was created as a space for us to share our experiences in the coffee industry and starting a business. Each week we sit down to talk about new challenges as business owners, how we utilize our mission and values to make decisions, and answer questions from our listening community. If you’re looking to expand your coffee knowledge, get some advice for your own small business, or just like the vibes, give us a listen! Enjoy!

This week we’re doing something special: sharing an episode from Good Folks Doing Good Work that dives deep into branding, clarity, and the heart behind the work we do. It’s a conversation about understanding who you are, what you’re trying to say, and how the choices you make — from design to customer experience — shape the way people connect with your brand. At its core, this episode is a reminder that branding isn’t about trends or aesthetics. It’s about intention. When you know your values and you communicate them clearly, you build something people can feel. We loved this conversation, and we’re excited to pass it along because it captures the kind of thoughtful, purpose-driven creativity we believe in. 🔖 Chapters – 00:00 intro 02:04 First coffee you remember 03:57 Most memorable coffee 06:03 Consistent coffees are the goat 10:20 Marketing for your audience 16:20 Approach for established vs new brand 31:12 Key things in the marketing space 48:55 What trend in coffee design should go away 01:03:26 Book Recommendations 01:07:21 Dream house followup 🔗 Links – Pomelo Coffee Consulting: Good Folks, Doing Good Work Podcast open.spotify.com/show/0BY3tPEogHxfqTenU1p4qJ?si=6730f165aa434a25 Website www.pomelocoffeeconsulting.com/ Instagram www.instagram.com/pomelocoffeeconsulting Lukes New Book www.pomelocoffeeconsulting.com/pomelo-book Cat & Cloud: Instagram www.instagram.com/catcloudcoffee/ Webstore www.catandcloud.com/ We are Cat & Cloud Coffee. Started by three friends trying to pursue their passions with the mission to inspire connection by creating memorable experiences, and we created this podcast to continue forming those connections inside and out of our cafes. The Cat & Cloud podcast was created as a space for us to share our experiences in the coffee industry and starting a business. Each week we sit down to talk about new challenges as business owners, how we utilize our mission and values to make decisions, and answer questions from our listening community. If you’re looking to expand your coffee knowledge, get some advice for your own small business, or just like the vibes, give us a listen! Enjoy!

This week’s conversation starts with a late-night rabbit hole on legendary chef Marco Pierre White and turns into a deeper reflection on obsession, mastery, and meaning. We explore the fine line between excellence and excess—how far to push detail before it stops serving the guest—and what that tension looks like in coffee. It’s an episode about passion meeting perspective. From Michelin-level precision to café hospitality, we ask what really defines quality: flawless technique or the feeling it creates for people. In the end, craft only matters if it connects. 🔗 Links – Values Worksheet: https://tinyurl.com/CatandCloud Cat & Cloud: Instagram www.instagram.com/catcloudcoffee/ Webstore www.catandcloud.com/ We are Cat & Cloud Coffee. Started by three friends trying to pursue their passions with the mission to inspire connection by creating memorable experiences, and we created this podcast to continue forming those connections inside and out of our cafes. The Cat & Cloud podcast was created as a space for us to share our experiences in the coffee industry and starting a business. Each week we sit down to talk about new challenges as business owners, how we utilize our mission and values to make decisions, and answer questions from our listening community. If you’re looking to expand your coffee knowledge, get some advice for your own small business, or just like the vibes, give us a listen! Enjoy!

This week, we dive into how defining your personal and professional values can simplify the choices you make every day. From career goals to family priorities, values act like a compass — helping you decide what to say yes to, what to let go of, and where to focus your time and energy. We explore how setting clear intentions can bring more meaning and alignment to your work, your relationships, and even how you plan for the year ahead. At its heart, this episode is about clarity and purpose. When you know what truly matters to you, decisions get easier, opportunities become clearer, and your sense of fulfillment grows. Whether you’re running a business, raising a family, or just trying to stay grounded in a busy world, leading with your values turns day-to-day choices into something intentional and deeply rewarding. 🔖 Chapters – 00:30 Chucks notebook 04:36 Core Values 14:29 Bacas core values 20:22 what to do with your core values 28:02 chucks plans 35:15 chucks current goals 🔗 Links – Values Worksheet: https://tinyurl.com/CatandCloud Cat & Cloud: Instagram www.instagram.com/catcloudcoffee/ Webstore www.catandcloud.com/ We are Cat & Cloud Coffee. Started by three friends trying to pursue their passions with the mission to inspire connection by creating memorable experiences, and we created this podcast to continue forming those connections inside and out of our cafes. The Cat & Cloud podcast was created as a space for us to share our experiences in the coffee industry and starting a business. Each week we sit down to talk about new challenges as business owners, how we utilize our mission and values to make decisions, and answer questions from our listening community. If you’re looking to expand your coffee knowledge, get some advice for your own small business, or just like the vibes, give us a listen! Enjoy!

This week, we tackle a listener question about how important brand identity is before opening your first shop. The conversation breaks down what “brand” really means and how it’s not just logos or design, but the promise you make to your guests and how you deliver on it. We emphasize that while visuals can evolve, the essentials of flow, hospitality, and guest connection matter far more than the color of your walls or the font on your cups. Ultimately, your brand starts with your values and how they show up in the day-to-day. Great design might get people in the door, but consistency, care, and clarity in the guest experience are what keep them coming back. It’s not about chasing trends or perfect aesthetics, but rather it’s about building a space that feels intentional, functional, and true to who you are. 🔖 Chapters – 02:34 whats cooking – coferments 12:21 Listener question 20:53 Brand means more 24:08 Look around 🔗 Links – Cat & Cloud: Instagram www.instagram.com/catcloudcoffee/ Webstore www.catandcloud.com/ We are Cat & Cloud Coffee. Started by three friends trying to pursue their passions with the mission to inspire connection by creating memorable experiences, and we created this podcast to continue forming those connections inside and out of our cafes. The Cat & Cloud podcast was created as a space for us to share our experiences in the coffee industry and starting a business. Each week we sit down to talk about new challenges as business owners, how we utilize our mission and values to make decisions, and answer questions from our listening community. If you’re looking to expand your coffee knowledge, get some advice for your own small business, or just like the vibes, give us a listen! Enjoy!

This week we reflect on what it really means to invest in your team—beyond payroll, bonuses, or budgets. From traveling for competitions to origin trips and team dinners, we talk about how creating experiences, connection, and shared memories pays dividends that can’t be measured on a spreadsheet. Investing in people isn’t just money out; it’s energy in, the kind that builds culture, loyalty, and long-term impact. At its core, this episode is about the ripple effect of care. When you show people they matter through opportunity, trust, and small moments of generosity, that energy comes back through better hospitality, stronger relationships, and a deeper sense of purpose. The real ROI isn’t just retention or performance—it’s a team that feels seen, inspired, and proud to carry the vision forward. 🔖 Chapters – 00:47 The Ritual thang 05:55 Where people go after coffee 11:09 How it was – Baca’s dream of the good ol’ days where people just talked sh!t 16:31 Investing vs. money out 29:56 The Payoff 🔗 Links – Cat & Cloud: Instagram www.instagram.com/catcloudcoffee/ Webstore www.catandcloud.com/ We are Cat & Cloud Coffee. Started by three friends trying to pursue their passions with the mission to inspire connection by creating memorable experiences, and we created this podcast to continue forming those connections inside and out of our cafes. The Cat & Cloud podcast was created as a space for us to share our experiences in the coffee industry and starting a business. Each week we sit down to talk about new challenges as business owners, how we utilize our mission and values to make decisions, and answer questions from our listening community. If you’re looking to expand your coffee knowledge, get some advice for your own small business, or just like the vibes, give us a listen! Enjoy!