Set your coffee shop up like a business

It is important to control and monitor your business.

You must know your margins and meet deadlines.

There are many things to consider. The majority of these are fun. As it’s your business, you can do whatever you want. Consider that your coffee shop is also a business.

Take care of your back office and you’ll enjoy the front so much more.

Keep it new, exciting and fresh

After you’ve opened your shop, you should keep it exciting and fresh. Your customers will love your product line and you will have a great customer base. How long will this last? It can become a bit dated to do the same thing every day.

Keep your products as consistent as possible. After all, people like to be prepared. You should still have some seasonal items and products in your range. You should try to offer something new every week. You want to be able offer something new and exciting to a customer when they walk in.

All you need is a second coffee grinder to serve guests coffee. Your staff could create a daily sandwich. What about a drink created by your barista? Enjoy a constantly changing menu by getting your staff involved.

Your employees are your greatest asset

It is true. If your staff does not serve your product to the highest standards, then quality will be lacking. You will need outstanding and great staff. Spend time with your staff, train them and educate them. Do your best to make them feel valued and to let them know what you expect.

You will spend most of your time with your employees. They need to be guided, but they don’t want someone watching them constantly. You need to give them some freedom and trust, which is a difficult thing to do. Sometimes you have to trust them and let them take care of your customers.

It is likely that this will be your most difficult task, but it is also one of the most crucial. Look for people who are genuinely interested in service and want to please. It is after all a job in customer service.

Make sure you have systems in place to manage everything

What happens when you’re not around? Is your business still running or at a standstill? Does your shop have a manual explaining how to do all the things? Idealistically, yes. From the opening check list to the serving of a cake, everything you do at the coffee shop must follow a set procedure. Can you get away for one day? What about a week away?

Enjoy your time off if you do it right! You are human, and you need to take time off to refresh your mind and return to work fresh.

You are a royalty to your customers

Does it not go without saying? It can be difficult at times. It is a fact that you will appreciate, but your staff may sometimes see their customers as “difficult”. It’s perfectly fine if some customers are more demanding than others. Your staff must understand that it is the customers who pay for their salaries, not you.

All of you will benefit when your team treats the customer like royalty. You will be treated the same way by others as you are. Always show your appreciation to your customers. Never take them for granted, and always be grateful that they have come through your doors. They have many other places they can go.

Know your numbers

Do you remember your earnings from the last week or month? Do you do better than last year? What coffee is the most popular? Why do you prefer to be quiet? What is your budget for labor? Are you ready with your VAT cash? What is your profit margin?

These numbers would be helpful. Understanding numbers will help you to better understand your business, which will in turn make you feel in greater control.

Plan your own schedule with days off and working in and on the business

Remember that you’re not just a “barista”. Plan your schedule so that you are working both in and on the business. Spend some time working on your business. Enjoy the moments you spend working on your business.

Invest in key equipment like espresso equipment and a cash register

It goes without saying but it’s true. You can save a lot of money by investing in essential equipment like your espresso machine and grinder. You might want to consider leasing if you cannot afford the purchase outright.

You can use some golden rules like:

• Customers will never sit at a dirty dining table
• Always a warm welcome and a sincere thank you
• Give customers time to look at the menu before making a choice (but don’t be too fast!
• The customer experience must be simple and relaxed