The tech YouTuber who opened a coffee shop
Digest
The episode begins with David Pierce discussing his recent interest in cold brew coffee and the complexities of its preparation. He then interviews David Cogan, a tech creator known as "The Unlocker" on YouTube, who recently opened a coffee shop in Brooklyn. Cogan shares how his coffee obsession, initially a video intro bit, evolved into a full-fledged business venture. He discusses the challenges of balancing his YouTube channel with running a coffee shop, including time commitment, burnout, and the need to find a balance between the two. Cogan highlights the importance of systematization in managing both businesses to create a more sustainable workflow.
Outlines
Cold Brew Coffee and the Creator Economy
David Pierce discusses his interest in cold brew coffee and its preparation methods. He introduces David Cogan, a tech creator who recently opened a coffee shop in Brooklyn.
From Tech Creator to Coffee Shop Owner
David Cogan shares how his coffee obsession, initially a video intro bit, evolved into a full-fledged business venture. He discusses the challenges of balancing his YouTube channel with running a coffee shop.
Balancing YouTube and Coffee Shop Life
David Cogan discusses the challenges of balancing his YouTube channel with running a coffee shop, including time commitment, burnout, and the need to find a balance between the two. He highlights the importance of systematization in managing both businesses.
Keywords
Cold Brew
A coffee brewing method where coarsely ground coffee beans are steeped in cold water for an extended period, typically 12-24 hours, resulting in a smooth, less acidic coffee.
Coffee Check
A catchphrase used by David Cogan in his YouTube videos, often accompanied by a montage of him getting coffee at various locations. It signifies a brief break or transition in the video.
Creator Economy
A growing economic sector where individuals create and distribute content online, often monetizing their work through various platforms and partnerships.
Burnout
A state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged or excessive stress. It is common among creators who face constant pressure to produce content and maintain a consistent online presence.
Systematization
The process of creating standardized procedures and workflows to streamline tasks and improve efficiency. It is often employed by creators to manage their workload and free up time for creative endeavors.
Q&A
How did David Cogan's coffee obsession evolve from a video intro bit to a full-fledged business venture?
Cogan's coffee check became a popular element in his videos, leading to audience requests for more coffee content. He eventually decided to open a coffee shop, combining his passion for coffee with his experience as a creator.
What are the challenges of balancing a YouTube channel and a coffee shop?
Cogan faces a constant time crunch, burnout, and the need to find a balance between the demands of both ventures. He is working to systematize both businesses to free up time and create a more sustainable workflow.
Show Notes
For the last eight months, David Cogen has been living a double life. By day: a YouTuber and creator, the face of the TheUnlockr channel, reviewing phones and testing ebikes and explaining how food smokers really work. By night and morning and every single other available in-between moment: a coffee shop entrepreneur, working to get a Brooklyn spot called Coffee Check up and running. In this episode, the second in the two-part miniseries that we’re calling How To Make It In The Future, Cogen tells the story of how a YouTuber becomes a coffee shop owner — and how to bring those two things together without ruining them both.
Further reading:
- TheUnlockr on YouTube
- David’s Coffee Check announcement
- Coffee Check’s website
- Another fun YouTuber story: Me, Myself, and iJustine
Email us at vergecast@theverge.com or call us at 866-VERGE11, we love hearing from you.
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