Owning a coffee shop is one of the most rewarding careers if you have the passion for it. Cafes give owners a chance to create their own atmosphere while pursuing something they care about - but this job is not right for everyone. A coffee shop is like a restaurant on a smaller scale, and require similar management skills.

Become an Expert

You can’t expect to go into the coffee industry without some solid knowledge, just like you wouldn’t open a clothing store without having a clue about fashion trends. Learn about coffee and where it comes from, along with all the types of coffee and related items. You and your employees are expected to be experts in this field of knowledge, just in case a customer gets curious.

You’ll also want firsthand experience with a coffee shop’s daily workings. The best thing you can possibly do for yourself is to spend some time working at a coffee shop. This way you can experience the atmosphere and requirements of running a coffee shop from the bottom up. You can then decide if owning a coffee shop is right for you.

Make a Business Plan

Drawing up a business plan is absolutely necessary for any business, and a cafe is no exception. Include things like the general goals of your business, scope of your menu, estimated start-up finances, and what makes you unique. Always keep your plan in mind; it will help you organize your thoughts and stay on track. You will probably need to show this to whoever will be financing your business.

Know the Field

Opening a coffee shop next-door to two popular chain cafes is probably not going to be your best bet, so thoroughly research the current market. If you can, speak with other coffee shop owners or customers you may know to learn more. What qualities will make you stand out from your competitors? Where will you be located? What will your hours of operation be? These factors all affect each other, so make sure you are as prepared as possible.

Obtain Financing

Once you have done the proper research, you can begin financing your business. In your business plan, you probably indicated how you will get the money - business loans, partners, out-of-pocket etc. If someone will be helping you finance, bring your completed business plan to them so they can have something to look at.

Keep it Simple

When you are starting out, it’s a good idea to keep your menu simple. Sometimes new cafe owners try to cater to too many people by including every possible item they can think of. This can be overwhelming and turn new customers off. Some items will barely sell, but removing them will be out of the question if they have already become personal favorites.

I recommend starting out with staple items that everyone is used to. As you establish yourself in your area, you can expand your menu by offering more flavors or drink categories.

As you can tell, owning a cafe requires dedication and a willingness to take chances. But if you’re well prepared, your coffee shop can become the talk of the town in no time!

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