Most owners run into these: - Over-reliance on foot traffic: No online presence? You’re invisible to newcomers. - Treating the café like a hobby, not a business: No system = burnout. - Unmonitored supply costs: Vendors get lazy. Prices creep up. Profits drop. You need to market intentionally and treat your vendor relationships like your payroll.

Every coffee shop should at minimum: - Claim a Google Business Profile (with frequent photo updates) - Register on Yelp, TripAdvisor, HappyCow (if vegan options), and Nextdoor - Create a mobile-first website with current hours, Wi-Fi info, and a menu - Make your Instagram and Facebook active, personal, and local-first

Invite the community in: - Host local artist shows, poetry nights, and music (apply for ASCAP/BMI if needed) - Let wellness instructors or nonprofits use your space during off-hours - Partner with schools, neighborhood groups, and Meetup hosts - Feature a “community shelf” for local flyers, zines, or mini art

You’re not competing with everyone—you’re amplifying each other. - Feature pastries from local bakers or rotating guest vendors - Create a cross-promo loyalty card with local bookstores, yoga studios, or markets - Sell local pantry goods (jams, honey, beans) on consignment

Coffee shop margins are thin. Don’t let vendor creep eat your profits. - Track COGS monthly—small shifts add up - Don’t be afraid to cut vendors that hike prices too fast - Compare wholesale from Costco, WebstaurantStore, Gordon Food Service, or Restaurant Depot - Explore private label beans with local roasters for branding and margin

Your website isn’t just a digital menu. It’s a loyalty magnet. - Highlight what makes you different: eco-conscious cups, inclusive events, dog-friendly patio - Add a calendar of community events - Embed reviews from Google and Yelp - Collect emails for a local-first promo list (free drink on birthday, etc.)

You’ve got the space and the brand. Expand it: - Sell pet-friendly gear, art, or coffee accessories - Offer coworking day passes with a free drink - Launch a small e-commerce store with merch, beans, and gift cards - Add a coffee subscription box using your favorite roasts

People don’t fall in love with products. They fall in love with stories. - Share your origin story on the menu or wall - Spotlight your baristas—let customers know who’s behind the counter - Use storytelling captions on Instagram—not just hashtags

Stay lean and focused with: - Square or Toast for POS and analytics - Canva for easy branded visuals - Later or Buffer for scheduling social posts - QuickBooks or Wave for tracking vendor invoices and cash flow The less you chase paperwork, the more time you have to build relationships.

"We became the go-to spot in our neighborhood once we started hosting open mic nights and featuring local art."

Janelle Reese

Brick & Bean Café

"Cutting one overpriced vendor saved us over $600/month. We now work with a regional supplier and supplement from Costco."

Raymond Chu

Espresso Junction

"Instagram used to stress me out. Now it’s our biggest referral source. Weekly posts with barista stories made all the difference."

Melissa Hart

The Velvet Cup

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