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Mike Shipley's Page

Mike Shipley 26, Male NW Suburbs of Chicago, United States: 39jxs8wjbzipp; Share

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Barista Competitors (172 members)
Coffee and the Arts (73 members)

Chicago Area Coffee People (21 members)
Trainers & Education (201 members)

Coffee Roasters (216 members)
Greenies (35 members)

Coffee Shops (274 members)

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Mike Shipley's discussions

Transparent Trade vs. Fair Trade

Replied Feb 5

WBC Espresso Machine Test Results

Replied Feb 2

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Black Gold The Movie

Latest Activity

Robert Cheng left a comment for Mike Shipley Jul 21

Mike Shipley replied to the discussion Roasting decafs May 21

Mike Shipley left a comment for Trevor Mar 11

Trevor left a comment for Mike Shipley Mar 7

Profile

What is your position in the coffee industry?: barista, manager, coffee shop owner, barista trainer, coffee roaster, industry professional

Where are you located? ( City and Country ): Crystal Lake, IL. NW Chicago Suburb

How many years have you been in the industry?: 2

If you are a barista or shop, are you interested in a barista exchange with another coffee shop/barista?: yes

Tell us more about your coffee shop or barista skills and what you can offer in regards to an exchange.: I've been truly passionate about coffee for a couple of years now...

It started when my father read an article in Smithsonian Magazine about sustainable coffee farms and their affects on communities and primarily ecosystems.
My parents had wanted to invest in a family business for some time and were long time coffee geeks... so coffee it is.
I jumped on board the summer of 05 and we opened Conscious Cup Coffee in January of 06.
I'm a managing partner and run the shop along with my brother Jason. I act as Service Manager, Roaster and Barista.

What cities or countries are you interested in traveling to?: I would love to get involved at origin. As a roaster and coffee buyer it's my ultimate goal to know all of my coffees and their growers intimately. So... let's go to Guatemala!

About Me:: My BA is English with an emphasis on Education. My original plans right out of college were to take a year off (waiting tables) then begin teaching. Plans changed when I jumped on board the coffee shop.
I'm passionate about coffee and in particular the promise of good coffee as an agent of social and environmental change.

About My Company:: Conscious Cup Coffee is an independent, family owned and operated roastery and cafe in Crystal Lake IL. We specialize but aren't limited to Fair Trade and Organic Coffees. We wholesale and fundraise in addition to our retail shop. At two years old our future is bright and we've got a ten year lease so we're not going anywhere.

Website:: http://consciouscup.com

Stuff to look at...

Watch more videos like this at www.quantumshift.tv

Mike Shipley's Photos

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Mike Shipley's Blog

Customer Service is Everything!

I'll post on this topic more later...

A quick link to a great compliment.

Art Petty on Managment

Posted on January 30th, 2008 at 5:04pm — No Comments (Add)

My greatest blog post ever...

This is the greatest blog I have ever posted...

It all started at 4:15am. I woke up after 4-5 hours of sleep, showered, shaved, dressed... no coffee yet. I get to the shop at 4:56 give or take. Amanda's mom drops her off as I begin the drip coffees. She's been having car trouble, as an owner you've got to appriciate an employee getting her butt to work on time at 5am without a car...

Shots timed and tested, bakery case full, coffees ready, chairs pushed neatly in to lined tabl… Continue

Posted on January 21st, 2008 at 12:08pm — 8 Comments (Add)

Comment Wall (39 comments)

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At 1:35am on July 21st, 2008, Robert Cheng said…: www.hyco.cn
we produce all-in-one automatic bean-to-cup drip style coffee maker.
we like to cooperate with you.
Please visit our website for our products details or send email directly to cd@hyco.cn attn Robert Cheng
Thank you.

At 11:14am on March 7th, 2008, Trevor said…: Mike, did you register for the great lakes comp yet? There's a thread on Barista Guild's forum about the companies that are competing.

At 12:58pm on February 10th, 2008, James Spano said…: I'm in Panajachel on lake Atitlan doing a roasting/barista/business apprenticeship. Opening a shop is in the future for me, but I might need to save up some dough first. Looking for a roaster willing to go to origin to get a good bean (shameless plug)
?

At 10:26pm on February 9th, 2008, James Spano said…: Hi from Guatemala, saw in your info you wanted to come down. You should, I'm having a blast!

At 8:56pm on January 30th, 2008, James Spano said…: Thanks for the friend add. Checked out your site, looks pretty cool. Coming to Guatemala?

At 8:50am on January 28th, 2008, Andrew Hetzel said…: Will see you in MN. Sorry that I can't make it out in March; will be traveling the entire month less 4 days. Combination of busy season and bad planning. :(

At 12:47pm on January 27th, 2008, Andrew Hetzel said…: Hey Mike! Thanks for the comment. 2 Years feels like yesterday. Are you coming out to Minneapolis in May? I get out to Chicago every couple of months or so, but normally don't get to see anything other than the inside of O'Hare.

At 7:57pm on January 23rd, 2008, Trevor said…: Thanks Mike.

At 10:13pm on January 22nd, 2008, Sasha King said…: I will be in Chicago between 4pm on the 25 and , well I need to look at my schedule. I just realized that I only have two full days in New York. but regardless I'll be in Chicago somewhere between the 24th and the 25th and 26th. I'll keep you updated.

At 10:44am on January 22nd, 2008, CodaCoffee said…: It WAS a good experience, actually. The barista and I talked about matté and shot the breeze a bit in the midst of the mid-afternoon doldrums. Lots of things about my visit that I enjoyed. Hope to make a return sometime when I come to town. Hope to shake your hand and exchange reading lists...lol

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