Opening A Coffee Shop?

Question

I want to open a coffee shop. I am only 15 years old, so obviously this is a plan for when I turn 18 or so. How can I do this? Thanks.

Answer 1

I respect the other answerer's point of view being a coffee lover myself, but most people wouldn't know an "amazing" coffee from a "good" coffee.

I also suggest you DO go work at Starbucks. They're a successful company that would have systems in place that would be important to get your head around. An independent coffee shop might have sloppy procedures and systems.

If I wanted to start my own burger joint, I'd go work at McDonalds. Everyone knows they can make better burgers (or coffee), but not everyone knows how to systematize their business so its working as smoothly as McDonalds. Don't mistake this advice with "make your store like McDonalds", I'm just telling you that systems that let your staff make good coffee consistently, and carry out their work efficiently is very, very important.

Then go and read all you can about marketing and sales. Your coffee store, if its going to be successful, will need its own "angle". Is it going to make the fastest coffee in the world, the best tasting, have the friendliest service, be decorated in African colors where you get your beans? Will it be a cool lazy hang about or a joint where business people storm through in 2 minutes flat on their way elsewhere?

Your systems, sales, and marketing are what you need to study... after you learn how to make a coffee of course!

Answer 2

I would definitely work at a coffee shop first. The capital needed to start a coffee shop can get wicked expensive. But no one is going to come if you don't become a master barista.

You'll also have to decide where to get your beans. We have a great coffee shop here in my town that gets their beans directly from their source (with Ethiopia being the exception) and roasts them on-site every night.

Definitely work at an independent shop first. No Starbucks!