Keys To The Shop : Equipping Coffee Shop Leaders

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        

Being a small roastery is beautiful thing. Agility, lower waste, and a different flavor intentionality and flexibility offer many advantages that can aid in building an engaged community around your coffee. Today on Rate of Rise, brought to you by our friends at Mill City Roasters, we will be talking with Adrian Seligman whose small batch roastery, Scandinavian Alps Coffee Roasters, has exemplified these traits with a community of customers who have joined him in his coffee journey.  Adrian Seligman is the founder of Scandinavian Alps Coffee Roasters, an independent specialty coffee roastery based in Hemsedal, Norway. Blending his passion for the mountains with a dedication to precision and storytelling, Adrian has built a small-batch roasting company known for its clean, expressive Nordic-style coffees, fun easy going blends, and creative collaborations with brands like Salomon and Blundstone. His roasting philosophy centers on clarity, terroir, and craftsmanship — treating each batch as a reflection of both nature and discipline. Through Scandinavian Alps Coffee Roasters, Adrian continues to champion quality, consistency, and community from the heart of the Norwegian Alps. We will discuss:  Adrian's journey from ski instruction to coffee roaster Limitations due to the size of available spaces. The power of local community  Why entrepreneurship in remote areas requires creativity The intersection of tradition and modern business. Shifting styles of roasting from feedback  The advantages of small operations     Related Episodes: RoR Live! #9 : Roasting Innovation and Consistency w/ Scott Rao RoR#38 : A Better Way to Think About Roasting Dark, w Erik Johnson of Thinkwell Coffee RoR #35: The Core 7 : Practical Disciplines for a Successful Roastery w/ Luke Waite | Pomelo Coffee Consulting   Our Sponsor for Rate of Rise! www.millcityroasters.com

It's Founder Friday! I am happy to welcome to the show Kenny Kuk, and Hong Shin of Haan Coffee Roasters in Orlando Florida! Haan Coffee has been in operation since 2020 starting first as a roastery and quickly a cafe space to showcase the beautiful coffees and hospitality they are known for. The four friends Suzie Shin, Kenny Kuk, Albert Kang that founded Haan had an affinity for business, coffee, and a desire to serve people and honor their shared Korean culture. Haan Coffee Roasters was born as a project to share these things with the diverse guests in their Orlando, FL community. I have enjoyed their hospitality and coffee several times in recent years and am happy we could sit down with Kenny and Hong to tell the tale. We discuss: The idea that started their coffee journey going from popcorn popper to proper roaster developing the standards for coffee and service how to assemble a winning team leadership with empathy how to curate a coffee menu that is accessible but adventurous communication and working together as an ownership team  The unique Korean culture and architecture that goes into their cafe Why it is critical to know your staff in order to meet their needs Advice to other owners on how to build a people first brand   Related Episodes: 542: Founder Friday! w/ Nori and Tin Burmudez of Corridor Flow, Lomita, CA 391 : Founder Friday! w/ Megan Wilson of Spuds Coffee in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 380 : Founder Friday! w/ Cary and Cindy Arsaga of Arsaga's Coffee Roasters   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        

Coffee shops come in all shapes, styles, sizes, and focus on many different aspects of social experience and craft. If we look back we can see that certain themes emerge. Whether it is the 90's coffee shop with bold colors, self serve airpots, lots of sugar, and no wifi, the early 2000's sparse coffee temples with no sugar, or the modern coffee shops that seem to be serving anything but coffee as long as it sells. (that last one is me being cynical)  The cafe will always be a bit of a litmus test for the culture. In today's Shift Break we will be talking about what I believe is emerging as a new classic coffee shop model and why it just may be the best version to come out yet owing to some timeless traits that may help us make actual progress. This episode was the response to a question a listener asked me. We exchange a few voice memos on IG and I thought it would make a great subject. If you have a question, please reach out!     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          

There are many ways to mess up a perfectly good espresso machine. By contrast, virtually all of them are preventable if you follow only a few specific strategies to care for what is likely to most expensive piece of equipment in your store. Now another question, where can you find these best practices and techniques along with detailed "whys" behind the "whats" of espresso equipment maintenance? Lucky for us, it is not all in one book!  I am thrilled to welcome back to the show long time espresso tech and now author, Jon Ferguson!  Jon Ferguson has worked in specialty coffee for nearly 20 years, with hands-on experience in roasting, green coffee, equipment service, and barista training. He has owned and operated both a roasting company and a coffee tech service business. Jon has served as a volunteer sensory and technical judge for both regional and national coffee competitions, was a U.S. Brewers Cup and U.S. Cup Tasters runner-up in 2012, and has participated as an international juror for the Cup of Excellence on several occasions. A regular speaker at industry events like Coffee Fest, Specialty Coffee Expo, and World of Coffee, Jon has contributed to Barista Magazine, Daily Coffee News, and professional coffee blogs. Coffee Under Pressure: A Guide to Espresso Machine Ownership is his first book, blending his passion for service work with a deep respect for the effort it takes to keep machines running smoothly.    Links:   Buy on Barnes and Nobles   https://www.instagram.com/coffeeunderpressure/     Related episodes:  312 : How to Choose the Right Machine for Your Shop w/ Chad little of La Marzocco 128 : Terry's Top 10 w/ Terry Ziniewicz : Best practices for how not to kill your espresso machine 076 : Talking Tech! w/ Tom Ritz of Workhorse Customs : Best Practices for Machine Maintenance 537: Success as a Coffee Tech : Training and Relationships w/ Brady Butler W/ Trail Braze Coffee Academy 446: Building a People-First Coffee Tech Culture w/ Jason "Double J" Johnson, Black Rabbit Service Co. 238 : Leading, Hiring, and working with your Coffee Tech w/ Hylan Joseph     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      

The only way to really know how your business is doing, is to know how your staff are doing. Do you know, to the person, how each staff member is doing with service, hospitality, and skill in crafting coffee? This seems like it should be a no brainer but an incredible number of owners simply assume rather than verify and in so doing they end up with problems that could have been avoided as well as missing opportunities that go unrecognized.  Today on Shift Break we will be talking about the need to not only now, but to participate the continual development of people, their skills, and the support of all who take on the work that makes the shop possible.  Related Episodes:  Taste the Rainbow! : Menu knowledge, tasting, flavor, coffee cupping approach to your offerings 406 : Five Ways to Immediately Improve Your Coffee Quality 181 : Organizational Self-Knowledge SHIFT BREAK: Evil Owners and Lazy Baristas 485: Your Shop vs The Industry – How to Free Yourself From Dependency 424: Developing Menu and Hospitality Guides Good Baristas aren't born, they're Made     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      

Almost every conversation you see online about coffee focuses on home coffee vs cafe. It is a very interesting and relevant topic in this time of explosive growth where tools, information, and good coffee itself abounds. Another aspect of this conversation though is less discussed and maybe even more relevant, in what ways are cafes themselves positioned to learn from what makes online educators so successful to make their own customers successful in enjoying their coffee. Today's guest is perhaps the best in the space in terms of deepening peoples fascination and enjoyment of coffee globally.  It is always an honor to welcome to the show, James Hoffmann! James Hoffmann is the co-founder of Square Mile Coffee Roasters, a multi-award-winning coffee roasting company based in East London. He was the 2007 World Barista Champion, having won the UK Barista competition in both 2006 and 2007. He has a YouTube channel with over 2.3 million subscribers, where he makes videos about anything and everything to do with coffee. He is the author of The World Atlas of Coffee (first edition 2014, second edition 2018, third edition 2025) and the Sunday Times bestseller How to Make the Best Coffee at Home (2022). We discuss:  The Growing Appetite for Coffee Knowledge Shifting Perspectives on Coffee Education The Fun Side of Coffee Exploration Feedback and Community Engagement The Distinction Between Home and Cafe Coffee The Role of Hospitality in Coffee Experience The State of Coffee Innovation The Importance of Thoughtful Decision-Making Creating Unique Value in Coffee Content Community and Responsibility in Coffee Links:  https://www.youtube.com/@jameshoffmann https://www.jameshoffmann.co.uk/ www.theworldatlasofcoffee.com   Related episodes:    242 : A Conversation with James Hoffmann 404 : Education, Home Brewing, and Launching a Roastery w/ Kyle Rowsell, September Coffee 333: Bridging the Professional and Home Barista Gap w/ Lance Hedrick of Onyx Coffee Lab SHIFT BREAK! What Customers Value and How to Deliver It 480: Focus on What Your Customers Love  Insights into the specialty coffee industry and its challenges. 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 fall 2025 Cohort: Click below to learn more: APPLY TO KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS   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    

The great Danny Meyer said, "Policies are nothing more than guidelines to be broken for the benefit of our guests". I come back to this idea often when trying to balance the tension between the need for structure and boundaries, and the freedom to be flexible in them and sometimes in spite of them. Today on Shift Break we will be talking about when to break the rules you make in your shop, when not to, and why it is critical to delivering on great hospitality to be flexible in how you operate. Related episodes: 414: Secret Ingredients for a Successful Coffee Shop 549: The Power of Great Consistent Work Over Time The Conversational Reality of Your Business : Thought on how to approach creative projects in the new year   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    

Systems are a necessary part of running a great coffee shop, but they do not make the shop great. As much as I talk about systems and structures on this show, the truth is, there are some problems with even the best systems when they are not part of a larger focus. Something that brings it all together. On this episode we are going to be talking about why cafes are far more than systems, what problems can arise when systems are made the end and not the means, and what you can do in your shop to make sure that you have things in their right order. Related Episodes:  330 : Establishing Systems in Your Coffee Shop Empathetic Systems Encore Episode : 6 Truths about Power Keep Systems Simple! 507: How High-Level Systems Help Your Cafe Thrive w/ Preston Lee, The 30% Rule   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  

Who you are cannot be what someone else is or is not. What makes you unique and valuable is not born from comparative analysis and cold execution n what you think a "wimning" formula is. Making and keep specialty coffee special is a simple exercise in growing in knowledge, wisdom, and consistent conversation with yourself, your team, your community, and the greater world around you. Trouble is that we often want to skip the meaningful parts, and borrow other peoples identities as our own in hopes of success.  On today's episode we will be talking about what makes the small independent specialty retailer special. Why Starbucks closure of 400 stores is a warning for us to distance ourselves from the false notions of learning good business from big business, and the simple steps and philosophies that lead to sustainable and fulfilling cafe operation.  Related Episodes:  Excellence In The Things We Hate 181 : Organizational Self-Knowledge 523: Encore: How We Ruin Specialty Coffee Experience The Quality Standards Equation How to talk to Customers about Coffee SHIFT BREAK! What Customers Value and How to Deliver It SHIFT BREAK! Adding Value in the Cafe   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          

I am excited to share with you another set of conversations from Coffee Fest! This time form Los Angeles 2025!   We start with a discussion focusing on the growth of trining and education in coffee and baristas skills in underserved communities w/ LaNisa Williams of Barista Life LA   LaNisa has been in the coffee industry for a total of 20 yrs but the last 10 yr have been devoted to the  specialty coffee industry.  She is the owner and founder of Barista Life LA/ Hustlers Cup and Black in Brew. Barista Life LA  is a full service brand providing education, private consultations, and events in Los Angeles As a veteran at the forefront of accessible coffee education and culture I believe coffee is for all. She has embraced the passion for becoming a coffee master as a way of creating a more sustainable life for for herself and making opportunities for so many others while pursuing educational opportunities and giving back to my community as well as welcoming newcomers to the coffee industry.   Link: https://www.instagram.com/baristalifela/?hl=en Next we get to talk all about effective management and working to serve a team of people as a leader  through communication and operational excellence w/ Kat Padlan!  Kat Padlan is the Founder of KapeBayan, a coffee consultancy focused on creating equitable, human-centered café spaces, and currently serves as Operations Manager at Lucky's Coffee Roasters in Southern California. With over a decade of experience in the specialty coffee and hospitality industry, Kat is passionate about cultivating environments that uplift both guests and teams, especially within marginalized communities. From managing café operations and building educational programming to consulting for emerging coffee businesses, her work centers around accessibility, transparency, and cultural connection. Kat believes inclusivity isn't a trend, but the backbone of a thriving coffee culture and strives to make that a reality in every space she touches. Link: https://www.orderluckys.coffee/ https://kapebayan.com/ We then get to chat about working to serve wholesale clients and help ensure their success through training and focus on the right things to make the biggest difference w/ Darrell Baskin!  Darrell Baskin is the Sales Manager & Training Director, for Groundwork Coffee. He has been working in the coffee industry for 14 years. He has held many roles over time including barista, manager, trainer, director, competition judge and most recently sales manager. Darrell is passionate about the sharing of knowledge and support that helps to build a stronger, more inclusive coffee industry for all.  Link: https://www.groundworkcoffee.com/ Finally we are talking all about taking the journey of learning through competition and business and how to use that experience to deliver real value for your coffee shop customer w/ Seidy Selivanow! Seidy Selivanow is the co-founder of Kafiex Roasters in Vancouver, Washington, where she combines her passion for coffee, community, and education. A nationally recognized competitor, she placed 7th in the 2025 U.S. Barista Championship and 8th in 2024, bringing creativity and storytelling to the stage through her signature drinks and presentations celebrating her Mexican heritage. Beyond competition, Seidy is deeply committed to mentorship and education. She has taught classes at Coffee Fest in both English and Spanish, presented in Mexico City at Exploradores de Café, and spoken two years in a row at the Women-Powered Coffee Summit. She also volunteers regularly with Cup of Excellence Mexico and serves on the Raise the Bar Committee, supporting scholarships for the underrepresented people in coffee. Link:  https://www.kafiex.com/   Related Episodes:       CHECK OUT FUTURE COFFEE FEST SHOWS! WWW.COFFEEFEST.COM      

Yeah sure your staff take the customer's order, give them the change, and direct them to the pick up area, but you want more! Trouble is, even though you have talked about it and told them, you don't see a change. What gives?! Today on Shift break we will be talking about the often desired, always vaguely communicated, and angst inducing topic of how to get baristas to meaningfully engage your customers. The goal is to help you take this on as a collaborative project, one in which much of the onus rests first on yourself and then the staff.  Related Episodes:  527: Thoughts on How to Approach Training and Onboarding 018: Hiring, Culture, and the Future of your Shop Motivating Staff Through Culture 291 : What to do if Your Baristas Wont Listen to You   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  

Knowing all the information and having all the coolest and best gear does not means your shop will succeed. For the purpose of todays conversation let's just say all the things we assemble under the roof of out shop are just the bricks. What's the mortar that holds t all together? People! Today we get to chat all about how to focus on people to fuel the best retail experience for both staff and customers alike w/ Mike Cosentino! Mike Cosentino, CEO of Big Peach. Big Peach is one of the largest and most recognized specialty retailers in North America, with business units spanning the Specialty Running (Big Peach Running Co.) and Bicycling (Big Peach Ride + Run) retail segments. Headquartered in Atlanta, the company serves athletes and fitness enthusiasts of every level beyond its brick-and-mortar locations through a dynamic e-commerce platform (BigPeachRunningCo.com) and innovative mobile retail experience (Big Peach On-Wheels). His new book, It's Not the Bricks, It's the Mortar: Optimize Your Retail Business for Lasting Success offers a battle-tested framework for service-driven retail organizations… from a current operator. No formalities. No fluff. This is not content from an academic researcher, industry consultant or ghostwriter. This is entrepreneur Mike Cosentino sharing powerful lessons from decades of experience, while still leading his own retail enterprises. Whether accelerating growth or withstanding the unexpected, his systems favor the confident empowerment of others – – while disfavoring the constant oversight often required by most leaders. The book includes two life-altering personal events that every reader will relate to, reminding us that success in this industry can't be achieved on hustle alone. Related episodes! 446: Building a People-First Coffee Tech Culture w/ Jason "Double J" Johnson, Black Rabbit Service Co. 416 : People-First Principles for Growing Your Shop w/ Mike McFall of Biggby Coffee 394 : Happy Coffee People w/ Wendelien van Bunnik 194 : Encore Episode! Leadership in the Cafe: 10 Steps to being a People First Leader | Aired January 17 2017 People…not Objects 430 : Embracing "Unreasonable Hospitality" w/ Will Guidara | Thank You NYC + The Welcome Conference   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 fall 2025 Cohort: Click below to learn more: APPLY TO KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS   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    

Roasting excellent coffee should not be relegated to only one finish temp or level of roast. For a significant portion of our history we have favored the lighter and lower temps in specialty coffee. But recently roasters have begun to full embrace more full developed roast profiles in a pursuit of brining that specialty excellence to a wider range of consumer. Today's guest is all about this way mindset and has a specific way to communicate it to his customers.  For this month's RoR to talk with Erik Johnson of Thinkwell Coffee!  Erik Johnson is a founder and the roaster behind thinkwell.coffee. He began as a barista in 2006 and has roasted professionally since 2012, working as head roaster for regional brands. He has worked across the supply chain—from producers to millers, from villages to importers. Now, he runs a production roastery that opens to the public, offering beans (not lattes) for people who value beauty, balance, and brewing at home. He believes that coffee is art, and great coffee is built on harmony: between people, the earth, and the roast itself.    Related episodes: ROR #23 : How to Close the Industry-Consumer Flavor Gap w/ Phil Beattie, Dillanos Coffee Roasters RoR #5: Time and Color in Roasting w/ Morten Munchow of Coffee Mind RoR #31 : Improve your Roasting Range by Focusing on the Fundamentals w/ Willem Boot of Boot Coffee   Our Sponsor for Rate of Rise! www.millcityroasters.com

We all want to make a difference with our work. The trouble is that the busyness of a coffee shop tends to pull our attention in a million different directions and we rarely get an opportunity to see if indeed we are making that difference. This leads to a lot of stress, burn out, and a demoralization that can easily shut down a business by first shutting you down as the leader.  Today on shift break, we are going to be talking about some mindsets and strategies you can use to checkin in on and stay connected to the truth of the situation. The truth is you are doing better than you think and your continued work, when done in honor of your existing good work, is way more sustainable. Times are tough, it's time that you carved out time to see the truth and discipline yourself to reflect on the good as you go.  Related episodes: 111 : Self Care 101: Taking care of yourself while taking care of others   318 : Why Your Shop is Key to the Success of Coffee 100! Why YOU are the Key 545: Breathing Life Into Your Coffee Shop 380 : Founder Friday! w/ Cary and Cindy Arsaga of Arsaga's Coffee Roasters 111 : Self Care 101: Taking care of yourself while taking care of others Emotions, Self-Sabotage, and Telling Ourselves the Truth SHIFT BREAK: Owners, It's OK to Make Mistakes Higher Degrees of Imperfection SHIFT BREAK! The Work of Offering Kindness in the Cafe   APPLY NOW TO 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 fall 2025 Cohort: Click below to learn more: APPLY TO KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS   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  

      Jared Linzmeier is the co-founder of Ruby Coffee Roasters, based in Nelsonville, Wisconsin. After getting his start in specialty coffee with Intelligentsia in Los Angeles and later working in Portland and Seattle, he returned home in 2013 to start Ruby with his wife, Deanna. Named after his grandmother, Ruby has grown from a small garage roastery into a nationally recognized brand known for its vibrant coffees, strong producer relationships, and commitment to community.   Related Episodes:        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 fall 2025 Cohort: Click below to learn more: APPLY TO KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS   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    

I love getting to re-air classics. This one on barista manuals is a great one because it provide a structure for essentials that you can build on. Here is the truth though, manuals do not magically create a difference in your shop. They are only a tools to help you build and are meant to support people in the work toward a common goal. On today's encore episode we will be diving into the original episode from 2018 to go over 10 essential sections to include in your manual. It is my hope you will also explore the episodes linked in the show notes to really go deeper. Coffee is about serving people through coffee and when we discuss systems, structure, and tools, we must always bear in mind that these are meant to benefit our staff and our customers equally.  Related Episodes:    Are YOU Using Your Manual? SHIFT BREAK: Detail Oriented Staff Starts With You SHIFT BREAK! Why Following Through is the Key to Better Coffee Shops Defining Excellence and Success Why You Need to Back up Your Policies 330 : Establishing Systems in Your Coffee Shop   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 fall 2025 Cohort: Click below to learn more: APPLY TO KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS   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    

The difference between dirty, dysfunctional, or neglected, and something that is maintained but has character, is the level of intentionality given to it. In many shops, we find broken and dismal conditions that really should have been maintained and fixed, but are often explained away as simply the age of the café itself as though it adds character. Most of the time we're fooling ourselves. Today on shift break, we are going to be talking about the difference between character and neglect and how to properly give attention to the place that we are welcoming people into so they have fewer distractions from enjoying their experience.  Related episodes: 307 : 10 Simple ways to Level Up your Coffee Shop 240 : What to do before your Build your Bar Working Clean : Tips for keeping the bar looking and working well while you work 523: Encore: How We Ruin Specialty Coffee Experience SHIFT BREAK: Keeping the Shop APPLY NOW TO 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 fall 2025 Cohort: Click below to learn more: APPLY TO KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS   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  

This is a question that seems to be answered by many with desperate incentives and what amounts to just brute force to get their staff to do the things they want them to do in the way they want them to do it. In many ways, it's a favorite past time of owners to just complain about it but how many are taking the time to truly dig deeper and diagnose the cause of the perceived or actual lack of motivation?  On today's episode we will be exploring a few very important ways that will give you a better chance to either motivate your staff, or diagnose ways that you or leaders may have squandered the motivation that was there but never respected and grown.  Related Episodes:  SHIFT BREAK! Holding Baristas (and Yourself!) Accountable SHIFT BREAK! How Not To Be a Jerk When Training Baristas Baristas Are Not Magic 371: Baristas, Don't Be A Hero 291 : What to do if Your Baristas Wont Listen to You Good Baristas aren't born, they're Made   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 fall 2025 Cohort: Click below to learn more: APPLY TO KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS   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