Anyone successful without extensive training programs?

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Permalink Reply by Denise Smith on June 11, 2008 at 11:47am

Bean Business Basics can be purchased at http://espresso101.com/coffee_espresso_products.html
They also have several DVDs for training and package deals. We received out book when we went to their school and we have used the book and DVDs over and over. We plan on using the DVDs and hands on training to train our baristas.

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Permalink Reply by Tisi on June 11, 2008 at 3:47pm

Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Pangaea Organica on June 12, 2008 at 2:57pm

http://sba.gov/
http://www.score.org/

Hello Tisi -- both the SBA and SCORE have programs to help you develop a business plan. The SBA might also be able to help procure financing in the form of SBA-backed loans.

Best of luck,
Rick

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Permalink Reply by Banks Thomas on June 12, 2008 at 3:31pm

Counter Culture Coffee has a training center in Atlanta. We offer free Barista classes. Check out the web site for details. www.counterculturecoffee.com

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Permalink Reply by Brady on June 13, 2008 at 12:18pm

Hi Tisi,

Yes.

We have an independent shop near Charlotte, and though we are relatively new (6 mo's) we are doing pretty well. Our coffee and espresso programs are both very strong - I'd put our stuff up against anybody. I had 1 year of barista experience going in and our staff went through Dilworth Coffee's free "Espresso 101" class.

Save that money for equipment. No offense to the training guys here, but with your years of experience and the resources available through your roaster (or the CCC guys), I wouldn't think that you'd benefit from pouring money into training.

For business plan stuff, the SBA and SCORE are great free resources.

Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by Matt Milletto on June 13, 2008 at 2:17pm

I encourage you to search out as much training as you can find. There are many great coffee roasters, and baristas who can teach you how to make a good cup of coffee. However, knowing how to run a successful business, from start-up thru opening day, thru marketing and risk management, is what will make you successful. Serving a quality product is imperative to compete, but there are so many hundreds of variables that go into the over all success of a business. That is where working with a coffee business specific professional, a company that has worked hands on with hundreds of start-up retailers can prove invaluable.

Best of luck! The people that have been replying have all made great suggestions so far.

- Matt

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Permalink Reply by Tisi on June 13, 2008 at 2:35pm

Thanks everyone! What a helpful and friendly group of people!

This is OT but while I was replying I got linked to this: http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/healthday/2008/06/13/coffe...

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Permalink Reply by Matt Milletto on June 13, 2008 at 3:00pm

Tisi

We recorded a fun and informative podcast a while back with 4 of our students who were in a similar situation as you ... we talk about the biggest challenges when getting into the industry and much more. Thought you would enjoy it: New Retailer Podcast Link Jason on this podcast is the same Jason that ended up winning the SouthEast regional Barista Competition and compete in the USBC.

Many other podcasts here: http://espresso101.com/podcast/1764

- Matt

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Permalink Reply by Jason Calhoon on June 13, 2008 at 3:39pm

Tisi I was in the same boat as you I just worked and saved enough money to do the school. I attended American Barista and Coffee School last year. Prior to that I myself had done research for a couple of years but after going to the school my eyes were open to a whole new thing. I thought I knew things but I can promise you will not regret going. It's well worth the money you will learn and gain so much knowledge as well as gain so many contacts in the industry. The people at ABC are amazing......http://www.coffeeschool.org/

Jason

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Permalink Reply by Brady on June 13, 2008 at 6:18pm

So, Jason - did you find that the information provided by ABC was far more useful to your business planning activities than what you were able to learn from working with the general non-profit small business support entities, like SCORE and SBA?

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Permalink Reply by Jason Calhoon on June 14, 2008 at 9:24am

Brady I know for me I went with ABC cause that is the one main focus of their company is consulting. I don't know much about the company's you mentioned but I'm sure they can help. Also at ABC you get the chance to work on and play with over 10 different espresso machines as well as coffee brewers blended drinks and all sorts of good stuff. For me that was what I wanted to work with the best and be able to see what machine I liked better verses someone saying buy this one. I'm sure the ones you mentioned can help also but for me the hands on is what I liked.

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Permalink Reply by Jason Calhoon on June 14, 2008 at 9:27am

Also you get to sample over 10 different roasters and see really what you like for coffee and just the contacts alone you gain from them is very helpful and amazing.

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