Top Mistakes on How to Open a Coffee Shop

February 6th, 2010 by admin

Many try and fail. Running a coffee shop requires three business qualities that are often overlooked by the majority of entrepreneurs who venture into this industry.

1. Never underestimate the power of the detail: Having a cup of coffee is an experience. Anything that might ruin that is a turn-off. Every little detail in the environment in which your customer is going to enjoy his experience needs to be perfect.

A little spot on the table, a bin full of trash, and even poor taste for decoration contribute for your coffee shop to fail. No one wants to let little displeasures spoil their cherished moment of relaxation, so they will not come back.

Make sure they leave with a “good taste” in their mouths, and a pleasant impression. Follow this step and you will not fail in the starting of your coffee shop.

2. Never stop smiling: Make sure you, and all your staff, NEVER stop smiling. Nothing is more unpleasant than being treated in an inhospitable fashion when walking into a coffee shop. Your customers DO NOT need to buy from you. It is extremely important to show how much you appreciate their business. Smile all the time (and every single time) a customer walks into your coffee shop.

A stressed-out, annoyed expression is awfully distasteful. Make sure no customer will ever have a taste of that, or they will never come back to your coffee shop.

A good technique to use is the “time-out” rule. Simply develop a system whereas someone will always cover for whoever needs a “time-out” in order to unwind. If business become hectic in the coffee shop, you need to be able to avoid losing your grace. Remember, the business you love may quickly become the business you hate if you fall victim to pressure.

3. The quality of your coffee: What a shame it would be to get everything right, only to forget about the coffee itself. Do not forget to drink your own coffee. Is it good for you? If not, why would it ever be good enough for your customer?

The coffee, and all its variations and preparations, need to be deliciously perfect EVERYTIME. A customer who does not see anything particularly exceptional about your coffee has no reason to come back to your coffee shop.

Taste is tremendously important. Buying cheap, tasteless beans will cost you your venture not lasting much. Have love for what you do. If you love your coffee, your customers will love it too.

The correct training must also be delivered to all your staff. Accurate preparation according to the customer’s taste and preference is crucial. Mastering the art of constantly delivering perfection will signify enormous advantage over your competition. It has become increasingly difficult to get your coffee the way you like it nowadays….

If you love what you do, your customers will sense that. They will definitely come back to your coffee shop to repeat the “experience”.