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A coffee podcast providing coffee shop owners and leaders, with insights, inspiration, and the tools you need to grow and advance your coffee business. We learn from experts both in and outside the coffee industry as they deliver specific, practical, and actionable advice about ownership, optimization, profitability, barista work, employee culture, management, scaling, leadership, personal development, and anything else that will help you achieve success in the coffee shop.
- 1928 - 634: The Book About A Little Bean That Makes a Big Difference w/ Artist and author, Wendra Lynn
Stories are how we communicate something deeper than just information. They help both old shape their worldview and grasp concepts that have far reaching impact on the countless decisions we make through our lives that affect the lives of others. No matter how small, it makes a difference. That is one of the central messages of the book written by today's guest, Wendra Lynn.
Wendra Lynne is an artist and author with a background in commercial art, as a long time member of the Art Directors Guild for Screen and Television. Today, she brings her artistic expertise and love of nature to write and illustrate picture books uniquely painted with real coffee blended into watercolors. Her first book, The Wondrous Cloud Forest, uses coffee-infused illustrations to tell the story of how shade-grown coffee can protect wildlife, support Indigenous communities, and promote sustainability. Her second book, The Little Bean That Grew to Brew, follows a single coffee bean's journey from seed to cup, mirroring a child's journey of growth and discovery while celebrating resilience, finding purpose, and the big difference seemingly small choices can make.
Today we get to talk about Wendra's experiences in art, coffee, writing, and we unpack the lessons she has placed in the Little Bean book as well as the lessons she has learned form her life as an artist that we in the coffee shop world can apply to what we create and who we become as we do.
Links:
https://www.bywendra.com/store/p52/The_Little_Bean.html
Keys to the Shop Consulting:
Consulting to help you and your coffee business thrive
Book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related Episodes:
622: Lifting Up Coffee Farmers w/ Ben Carlson of Long Miles Coffee! 112 : The Power of Story w/ James Harper of Filter Stories Podcast 519: The World of Coffee People w/ Ryan Woldt of The Coffee People Podcast SHIFT BREAK: Why Your Shop Needs to Tell StoriesSPONSORS!
"Your Brand Cafe" for all your Cups, Sleeves printing and much more!
The worlds best plant based beverages! The Barista Series!
Tue, 03 Nov 2026 - 28min - 1927 - SHIFT BREAK! Help! My Baristas Ask me the Same Questions!
Do you find yourself saying this? Over the years I have heard this or a version of this on repeat (the irony!) What is going on? Why do your staff ask you the same things over and over again? Well, the answer may not be what you want to hear, but it may help solve the problem.
Today on Shift Break we will be talking about what the most common reasons are for staff asking and re-asking questions, what it means, and what you can do to solve the real problem or discern whether there is even a problem at all!
This is one of those episodes where you have to come with a mind to take ownership.
Related episodes:
Communicate, Duplicate, Repeat : Key habits that make information stick 541: Repetition, Reminders, and Guidance 490: 7 Vital Things to Include in Daily Shift WorkKEYS TO THE SHOP CONSULTING
Book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Thank you to out sponsors!
Everything you need for back of the house operations https://rattleware.qualitybystainless.com/
The best and most revered espresso machines on the planet: www.lamarzoccousa.com
Thu, 29 Oct 2026 - 13min - 1926 - 633 Making Information Stick in Your Cafe by Removing Yourself as The Obstacle
It is easy to fall into the trap of sitting on helpful information and ideas that can help your business and your people because you feel it needs to be perfect. One more class, one more book, one more podcast and then I will act. Really anything, can and does and it become a tool for avoidance not education. Today we are going to be talking about why we procrastinate on taking action and also how we can avoid taking action compulsively out of self interest or ego. The issue that stands in the way of applying information well is typically us. Not the information. Let's talk about it and remove yo as the obstacle.
Keys to the Shop Consulting:
Consulting to help you and your coffee business thrive
Book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
587: How To Apply Insights To Your Coffee Bar SHIFT BREAK: Getting Over the Awkwardness of Leadership SHIFT BREAK! Taking the First Steps Toward Change in the CafeSPONSORS!
"Your Brand Cafe" for all your Cups, Sleeves printing and much more!
The worlds best plant based beverages! The Barista Series!
Tue, 27 Oct 2026 - 27min - 1925 - SHIFT BREAK! The Logistics of Keeping Your Promises
We promise people a lot of things. Whether they are implied by marketing, or stated directly, the biggest differentiator between a cafe that is trusted and one that is not will be whether you have a plan for doing what you say you will do. Today on Shift Break we will be talking about why keeping promises is perhaps the most important area for operators to focus on and how to approach the logistics that need to be in place to actually fulfill those promises related employment, leadership, menu, and service.
Related episodes:
SHIFT BREAK! What It Means To Have Integrity In Our Work Coffee, Integrity, and A.I. Managing Expectations in Systems 330 : Establishing Systems in Your Coffee ShopKEYS TO THE SHOP CONSULTING Helps You Find Joy
Book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
SPONSORS!
Thank you to out sponsors!
Everything you need for back of the house operations https://rattleware.qualitybystainless.com/
The best and most revered espresso machines on the planet: www.lamarzoccousa.com
Thu, 22 Oct 2026 - 09min - 1924 - SB Cafe Owner! You Don't Have to Keep Up With Others
Am I behind? This was a question I was asked by a coaching client recently. They worried that they may be not to where most people "should be" in their coaching. I have talked with thousands of people in my 3 decades of coffee and one thing that persists is the nagging feeling that you are not as good as others and that you need to keep pace with them or some terrible undefined thing will happen. Whether it is the progress you make in coaching or the growth of your cafe, your situation and journey is yours and no one else's. Today on Shift Break we will be talking about this compulsion we have to always think we should be further along andf how to embrace the road you are walking and steward the people and opportunities you have. This is what brings lasting and fulfilling growth.
Related episodes:
Three Questions for Better Cafe Decisions Your Peers are not your Customers 317 : Encore Episode: Death by Comparison 604: 5 Habits Holding You and Your Team BackKEYS TO THE SHOP CONSULTING Helps You Find Joy
Book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
SPONSORS!
Thank you to out sponsors!
Everything you need for back of the house operations https://rattleware.qualitybystainless.com/
The best and most revered espresso machines on the planet: www.lamarzoccousa.com
Thu, 15 Oct 2026 - 08min - 1923 - 632: Addressing the Biggest Challenge Cafe Owner's Face
People. This is what owners consistently say is one of the biggest challenges they have in running their shops. Why is this? Well, I was just at Coffee Fest in Dallas/Fort-Worth and heard basically the same thing form many experienced owners. Today we will be talking about what is behind this issue and what can be done to begin to unravel and fix the way we view and lead people in our cafes.
Keys to the Shop Consulting:
Consulting to help you and your coffee business thrive
Book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
194 : Encore Episode! Leadership in the Cafe: 10 Steps to being a People First Leader | Aired January 17 2017 579: How to Really Care For People in the CafeSPONSORS!
"Your Brand Cafe" for all your Cups, Sleeves printing and much more!
The worlds best plant based beverages! The Barista Series!
Tue, 20 Oct 2026 - 26min - 1922 - Special! Interview and Commentary From Coffee Fest Los Angeles 2026! w/ Kevin Mejia of Bevel Coffee
Coffee Fest LA was awesome and I am finally getting this episode out right before we fly out to Dallas! Stay tuned.
In this episode I sat down with one great presenter and give some of my own thoughts on the show and lessons you can apply in your business and area.
Kevin Mejia grew up in Monrovia, CA as a skateboarding, cycling, and fitness lover. It was through his love for cycling where he discovered specialty coffee around 2013.
Fast forward to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kevin's career started to take a shift when he decided to start learning how to roast out of his garage by watching countless amounts of coffee content online and taking classes with other well known roasting teachers. Kevin's interest in roasting really started to take shape when he started to discover Honduran specialty coffee. As the child of Honduran immigrants in the US, the discovery of something from his parent's home country that he could share with the world became very intruiging to Kevin. In, 2022 Kevin and his fiancé, Dulce, took what little money they had in savings and purchased a 3kg Mill City Roaster and started Bevel Coffee.
From that point, Bevel operated as cottage food operation selling roasted coffee and as a pop-up coffee cart which went everywhere from birthday parties and weddings, all the way to farmer's markets and other pop-ups throughout LA. This journey eventually led Kevin and Dulce to the patio of a pizza shop called Prime Pizza in Altadena, where they began to build their roots in the city for a little over a year before the Eaton Fire came through and devastated the community.
In an effort to continue the Bevel Coffee journey, Kevin and Dulce stayed put, and kept serving the community, attending any and every event related to the neighborhood, and fostering stronger relationships. Eventually, a year and half after the fires, the pop-up finally became Bevel's first brick-and-mortar on Feb 28 of 2026.
Kevin's journey in coffee is very reminiscent of his years spent skateboarding and mountain biking. It required passion, community, and a "get up and do it again," attitude that ultimately led to achieving the goal of opening a cafe where he could share all the coffees he loves with a community he loves even more.
In this interview we discuss his cafe's history and his own growth and development as an owner and operator.
Links:
Go check out Coffee Fest Trade Shows Today!
Thu, 15 Oct 2026 - 21min - 1921 - 631 Ashley Derrick: The Joys and Challenges of Buying an Existing Cafe
Many owners start in the business of coffee shops by buying an existing cafe. Sometimes there is a lot of work to do. Other times, the cafe is already a successful, well love, and established cafe. The later example is actually a bit more daunting since now there is legacy, community, and great staff to steward, all while learning the ropes yourself!
Today is a story of how one woman took on this challenge to take over an iconic cafe and what she has learned thus far.
I am excited to be talking with the new owner of the iconic cafe, Taproom Coffee, Ashley Derrick!
Ashley and her spouse, Alison, have lived in the East Lake neighborhood of Atlanta GA for 23 years. Ashley has been a Realtor for 19 of those years and has consistently taken her clients to Taproom Coffee - long before she wanted to buy it. Doing good work feeds her soul and she loves spending time with community members trying to figure out how to change the world - all while sipping on a cup of coffee.
Links:
https://www.taproomcoffee.com/
https://www.instagram.com/taproomcoffee/
Consulting to help you and your coffee business thrive.
Book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
COVID-19 Focus : Jonathan Pascual | Taproom Coffee and Beer | Atlanta, Georgia 177 : Founder Friday w/ Jonathan Pascual of Taproom Coffee and Beer in Atlanta, Georgia 542: Founder Friday! w/ Nori and Tin Burmudez of Corridor Flow, Lomita, CASPONSORS!
"Your Brand Cafe" for all your Cups, Sleeves printing and much more!
The worlds best plant based beverages! The Barista Series!
Tue, 13 Oct 2026 - 49min - 1920 - SHIFT BREAK! Let Your Cafe Be
In the ecosystem of entrepreneurship we glorify and practice a certain kind of paranoia about our businesses. We are never happy and always suspecting we are behind, or broken in some secret way that we need to find. The result is that, even when we arrive to a good place, our ability to recognize it and rest in it is nonexistent.
Today on Shift Break we will be talking about why we sometimes need to just let our businesses be. Rest in what has been made and grown and demonstrate to those you lead how to enjoy and be fully present in the moments that you all have worked hard to bring to bear.
Related episodes:
SHIFT BREAK: Rest and Meaningful Work SHIFT BREAK! It's Got To Hurt If It's To Heal! : The Pins and Needles of Positive Change Don't Let The Light Go Out SHIFT BREAK : It's OK to Have Reasonable Tolerances SHIFT BREAK! The Best Strategy is Simplicity 327: Founder Friday! w/ Phuong Tran of Lava JavaKEYS TO THE SHOP CONSULTING Helps You Find Joy
Book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
SPONSORS!
Thank you to out sponsors!
Everything you need for back of the house operations https://rattleware.qualitybystainless.com/
The best and most revered espresso machines on the planet: www.lamarzoccousa.com
Thu, 08 Oct 2026 - 09min - 1919 - 630: Two Dollar Drip and The Fight For Accessible Menus w/ Tim Riley of Heavy Water Coffee, Los Angeles, CA
The coffee shop experience is one that should be accessible to a wide variety of people. How we go about building a welcoming and hospitable space is not only the work of interior design, workflow, and service standards; it also extends to the menu and what we offer.
Enter the 2 dollar drip. An item that represents an intention put into action to offer something to anyone who has less but still wants to experience the beauty of what a coffee shop has to offer its community.
One of the people championing this item and the philosophy behind it is the founder of Heavy Water Coffee in LA, Tim Riley.
Tim has over a decade of coffee experience from barista, to roaster, and now brick and mortar cafe owner. Heavy water is a family run business that is the culmination of Tim's coffee journey and the lessons of balance between quality, excellence, and genuine hospitality.
Today we are going to talk with Tim all about his career, how he has grown as a persona and a professional over the years, and what is behind the 2 dollar drip and the neighborhood focus of Heavy Water.
Links:
@heavywatercoffee https://www.instagram.com/heavywatercoffee/?hl=en
Consulting to help you and your coffee business thrive.
Book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
SPONSORS!
"Your Brand Cafe" for all your Cups, Sleeves printing and much more!
The worlds best plant based beverages! The Barista Series!
Mon, 05 Oct 2026 - 43min - 1918 - 629: Founder Friday! Stephanie Jones of Mrs. Jones Cold Brew is The OG Cold Brew Queen!
Cold brew only is not a normal thing for a coffee bar. It takes deep dedication, innovation, and focus to drive that concept and offer customers out of the ordinary that they both remember AND love. For ten years now our guest has been blazing a trail for cold brew lovers to experience a fun, hospitable, pure, and deliciously crafted cold brew menu. Today we will be talking to Stephanie Jones, Founder of Mrs. Jones Cold Brew in Pensacola, FL Mrs. Jones Cold brew is a brick and mortar cafe that specializes in high end bottled cold brew with a full menu of flights, specials, flavors, a build your own concept, and classics, all with just cold brew. No espresso machine in sight. What started as an idea in her kitchen, grew to farmers markets, and not 3 years into her own cafe, Stephanie Jones is sitting down with us to tell the story of here humble beginnings, lessons learned, and the secrets to serving customers cold brew with genuine warmth. Stephanie is also a 3x Key Holder Coaching Group cohort member! So I have been blessed to see this businesses recent growth. Here community has raved about her and her team for years and I am thrilled to get her on the show to tell her story and show us what is possible with cold brew and a dream.
Consulting to help you and your coffee business thrive.
Book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
430 : Embracing "Unreasonable Hospitality" w/ Will Guidara | Thank You NYC + The Welcome Conference SHIFT BREAK! The Trend of Backwards Hospitality SHIFT BREAK! The Trend of Backwards Hospitality 469: Unremarkable Hospitality and Cafe TerroirSPONSORS!
"Your Brand Cafe" for all your Cups, Sleeves printing and much more!
The worlds best plant based beverages! The Barista Series!
Fri, 02 Oct 2026 - 42min - 1917 - SHIFT BREAK! Don't Build Compromise Into Your Business
What happens when we build into our systems exceptions for the less than desirable habits of staff? Well for starters we rob that staff member of the opportunity to grow and receive correction to meet the standards. We then rob our business of reach its potential as we now erode the foundations from the inside. Lastly we rob the customer of a great experience because all the little compromises and permissions we give to issues that should be addressed, make their way into the cup.
Today on Shift Break we will be talking about why operators should not build into their systems and policies, exceptions and leeway that further promotes bad behaviors and habits. It is important that we consistently call ourselves and others up to high standards rather than lowering them for avoidance or convenience.
Related episodes:
496: Hard Decisions and High Standards Grace and High Standards SHIFT BREAK : Setting and meeting Standards in the Coffee ShopKEYS TO THE SHOP CONSULTING HELPS YOU MAKE YOU CAFE BETTER!
Book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
SPONSORS!
Thank you to out sponsors!
Everything you need for back of the house operations https://rattleware.qualitybystainless.com/
The best and most revered espresso machines on the planet: www.lamarzoccousa.com
Thu, 01 Oct 2026 - 09min - 1916 - 628: Start With Reasonable Hospitality
We love extremes. Novel services, events, specials, and stunts to catapult us into the consciousness of our customers seem to be what we favor and are fixated on. After all, it proves that we are different, better, and that we care about people and quality!...right? Not exactly. Just like Settling the Table before it, Wil Guidara's great book, Unreasonable Hospitality has been making the rounds in the coffee sphere. Many draw inspiration from this book and it helps them make their shops better. Others I have seen take the idea of "unreasonable" and jump over the basics directly into extreme and novel one off efforts or give into the compulsion to reinvent vs refine who they are and what they do. This I feel is a mistake. Today we will be talking about why we need to start with and more successfully maintain reasonable hospitality in order to naturally bring about the kind of moments we can later say were unreasonable, but fit with who we are, vs efforts that we slap on to our shops that are flailing in the basics.
Consulting to help you and your coffee business thrive.
Book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
430 : Embracing "Unreasonable Hospitality" w/ Will Guidara | Thank You NYC + The Welcome Conference SHIFT BREAK! The Trend of Backwards Hospitality SHIFT BREAK! The Trend of Backwards Hospitality 469: Unremarkable Hospitality and Cafe TerroirSPONSORS!
"Your Brand Cafe" for all your Cups, Sleeves printing and much more!
The worlds best plant based beverages! The Barista Series!
Thu, 01 Oct 2026 - 26min - 1915 - SHIFT BREAK! The Danger of Fast-Track Training
The temptation for fast-track people during training is a very common one. I would go so far as to say that, half of the reason we see the inconsistencies and quality of product and service issues we do today, comes from pushing people through training and putting them on bar when they are not equipped to succeed.
Today on Shift Break we will be talking about the danger of "fast-track" training, some of the reasons I believe are behind this practice, and how we can guard against it so we are actually training people well and setting up them, and our guests for success.
Related episodes:
SHIFT BREAK! The Urgent Need for Training in Today's Coffee Shop You Need to Prioritize In-House Training! 339 : What Good Barista Training ProducesKEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS
APPLY TO THE 2026 KHCG COHORT!
For cafe owners, the way you and your coffee shop grow is determined by how you are supported and nourished by community.
The trouble is most owners are isolated, stressed, and are in desperate need of a type of community that is not just generally related to business but is made up entirely of other coffee shop owners who know exactly where you are coming from.
That is what Key Holder Coaching Groups are all about.
A small group of invested coffee shop owners who are dedicated to encouragement, accountability, insights, and helping each other grow.
Our groups are limited 6-7 experienced cafe owners and we meet 12 times over 6 months in our Zoom sessions where we focus on member led topics that are actually relevant to the real life of a cafe owner.
Each member received 2 hours of one-on-one coaching through this time and has access to our Circle community where they can keep the connection and conversation going between our calls.
I would love to talk with you about how this unique group can make a difference in your life.
Look below for a few testimonials of past members and click this link to apply for the Fall 2026 cohort!
APPLY TO THE 2026 KHCG COHORT!
Testimonials:
My name is Susanna Winters and I am the owner and co -founder of Hilton Head Island Coffee Roasters. We're based out of Hilton Head, South Carolina. I've been part of Chris's key holder coaching group for I guess about five months now. And prior to that, I have participated in a few different business groups and business mentorship programs. And this coaching group has by far been the best and provided some of most value that we've received honestly in the two and a half years that we've been in business. And I think it's a combination of being paired with other business owners who are all at different places in their business. It really helps us take this big picture approach as well as get that really nitty gritty feedback, not only of what we need right now, but also what we might need a year from now.
And the group that I was part of, it was honestly just so much fun and so much fun getting to know this group. Everyone provided so much value and they were honest and they were vulnerable and they were so transparent with their businesses and everyone really took that extra step to support each other, which is one of the reasons why I'm signing up to do it for another six months. But I absolutely recommend this coaching group. I think it's one the best things out there for new coffee shops, old coffee shops, anyone looking to elevate their business to the next level.
-Susannah Winters/ Hilton Head Coffee Roasters
For us looking back, I think we were at a point of growth that we needed to take the steps to grow, but we were wearing ourselves out and burnout was starting to set it. I feel if we didn't reach out for help with Chris we would have greatly struggled. Both during the coaching and as a result of the coaching.
Working with KTTS consulting has been monumental for us as individuals and as a business. We were able to get insight and confidence in areas that we felt like we were really struggling in. We took huge steps with hiring a manager and equipping them to help lead. Chris' structure behind servant leadership really matched well with how we wanted to lead so it allowed a very cohesive development of our foundation for goals, foundations, requirements and leadership.
I would HIGHLY recommend KTTS to anyone regardless if you are struggling for feeling as though you are on top of the world with your business. I feel that no matter where you are in your journey, there's always room for growth. I even believe a few years down the road and we are continuing to grow that we would do it again and learn to continue to keep growing in a healthy was as a business and staying healthy as entrepreneurs
-Jessica Nguyễn Queen City and Co.
I made the decision to become a part of the Key Holder Coaching Group (KHCG) primarily to establish connections with other professionals who are actively engaged in the coffee business. I have found that through coaching I have been able to improve my productivity, streamlining my operations and have a healthier life/work balance.
The most beneficial aspect of the KHCG has been getting the opportunity to explore topics from multiple perspectives. I have found that even If I am not in the "Hot Seat" I am gaining valuable information that is relative to my business in some way. KHCG has proven to be a safe space for me to be vulnerable, increase my self-worth and positively adjust my mindset to get the most out of the experience.
As business owners, we are, without a doubt, our most valuable asset. Investing in ourselves, stepping outside of our patterns and opening up to fellow business professionals within our field will absolutely bring fresh perspectives to solve problems and reminders to celebrate wins. You do not have to do it all or do it all alone, KHCG will be a valuable ally on your journey to success.
-Sunny Cover / Peekskill Coffee Roasting Company / The Peekskill Coffeehouse
Fri, 25 Sep 2026 - 11min - 1914 - 627: Why You Need to Work IN Your Business
We hear the advice from the popular author of "The E-Myth" saying that we should work ON our business, not IN it. While I understand and agree with the point being made to not get caught up in tasks perpetually that make you a bottle neck, I believe we have taken it a bit far as of late where many want to skip a crucial step in the process of their growth.
Today we are going to be talking about why you need to, and always will work IN your business and why that is a good thing for everyone. How effective we are in working on the business later is based on how well we work in it now. Don't believe the myth that you can be a hands of automated leader. Your people and your business deserve better.
"KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS"!
Are you a coffee shop owner looking to join a community of other owners to help bring perspective, insight, encouragement, and accountability in a well curated setting?
Then you need to apply to join Key holder Coaching Groups!
Applications are now open for Spring 2026 Cohort:
Click below to learn more:
APPLY TO KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS
KEYS TO THE SHOP CONSULTING HELPS YOU MAKE YOU CAFE BETTER!
Book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
The Myth of Hands Off / Automated Leadership SHIFT BREAK! How to Have Healthy Communication Between your Cafe's Departments 483: Encore: 6 Essential Qualities of Coffee Shop LeadersSPONSORS!
"Your Brand Cafe" for all your Cups, Sleeves printing and much more!
The worlds best plant based beverages! The Barista Series!
Wed, 23 Sep 2026 - 20min - 1913 - SHIFT BREAK! Vibes Are a Cheap Replacement For Meaning
I hear the word "vibes" used as a stand in for a lot of different things. Most often it is used to describe a somewhat ambiguous sense of good feelings or peace of mind around a culture or a person. The idea is great, but the issue is that without having specific and meaningful definitions of what brings those vibes to fruition, we end up with more problems than good times.
Today on Shift Break we will be talking about how you can avoid making critical decisions around hiring, work, and the operation of your cafe based solely on "vibes", and start to make wise decisions based on standards that are based on more than a feeling.
KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS
APPLY TO THE 2026 KHCG COHORT!
For cafe owners, the way you and your coffee shop grow is determined by how you are supported and nourished by community.
The trouble is most owners are isolated, stressed, and are in desperate need of a type of community that is not just generally related to business but is made up entirely of other coffee shop owners who know exactly where you are coming from.
That is what Key Holder Coaching Groups are all about.
A small group of invested coffee shop owners who are dedicated to encouragement, accountability, insights, and helping each other grow.
Our groups are limited 6-7 experienced cafe owners and we meet 12 times over 6 months in our Zoom sessions where we focus on member led topics that are actually relevant to the real life of a cafe owner.
Each member received 2 hours of one-on-one coaching through this time and has access to our Circle community where they can keep the connection and conversation going between our calls.
I would love to talk with you about how this unique group can make a difference in your life.
Look below for a few testimonials of past members and click this link to apply for the Fall 2026 cohort!
APPLY TO THE 2026 KHCG COHORT!
Testimonials:
My name is Susanna Winters and I am the owner and co -founder of Hilton Head Island Coffee Roasters. We're based out of Hilton Head, South Carolina. I've been part of Chris's key holder coaching group for I guess about five months now. And prior to that, I have participated in a few different business groups and business mentorship programs. And this coaching group has by far been the best and provided some of most value that we've received honestly in the two and a half years that we've been in business. And I think it's a combination of being paired with other business owners who are all at different places in their business. It really helps us take this big picture approach as well as get that really nitty gritty feedback, not only of what we need right now, but also what we might need a year from now.
And the group that I was part of, it was honestly just so much fun and so much fun getting to know this group. Everyone provided so much value and they were honest and they were vulnerable and they were so transparent with their businesses and everyone really took that extra step to support each other, which is one of the reasons why I'm signing up to do it for another six months. But I absolutely recommend this coaching group. I think it's one the best things out there for new coffee shops, old coffee shops, anyone looking to elevate their business to the next level.
-Susannah Winters/ Hilton Head Coffee Roasters
For us looking back, I think we were at a point of growth that we needed to take the steps to grow, but we were wearing ourselves out and burnout was starting to set it. I feel if we didn't reach out for help with Chris we would have greatly struggled. Both during the coaching and as a result of the coaching.
Working with KTTS consulting has been monumental for us as individuals and as a business. We were able to get insight and confidence in areas that we felt like we were really struggling in. We took huge steps with hiring a manager and equipping them to help lead. Chris' structure behind servant leadership really matched well with how we wanted to lead so it allowed a very cohesive development of our foundation for goals, foundations, requirements and leadership.
I would HIGHLY recommend KTTS to anyone regardless if you are struggling for feeling as though you are on top of the world with your business. I feel that no matter where you are in your journey, there's always room for growth. I even believe a few years down the road and we are continuing to grow that we would do it again and learn to continue to keep growing in a healthy was as a business and staying healthy as entrepreneurs
-Jessica Nguyễn Queen City and Co.
I made the decision to become a part of the Key Holder Coaching Group (KHCG) primarily to establish connections with other professionals who are actively engaged in the coffee business. I have found that through coaching I have been able to improve my productivity, streamlining my operations and have a healthier life/work balance.
The most beneficial aspect of the KHCG has been getting the opportunity to explore topics from multiple perspectives. I have found that even If I am not in the "Hot Seat" I am gaining valuable information that is relative to my business in some way. KHCG has proven to be a safe space for me to be vulnerable, increase my self-worth and positively adjust my mindset to get the most out of the experience.
As business owners, we are, without a doubt, our most valuable asset. Investing in ourselves, stepping outside of our patterns and opening up to fellow business professionals within our field will absolutely bring fresh perspectives to solve problems and reminders to celebrate wins. You do not have to do it all or do it all alone, KHCG will be a valuable ally on your journey to success.
-Sunny Cover / Peekskill Coffee Roasting Company / The Peekskill Coffeehouse
Sat, 19 Sep 2026 - 09min - 1912 - 626: Why You Are Not Getting Ahead in Your Career
We all have ambitions and hopes for our career but time passes and we don't see any progress. It would be a mistake to chalk this up to fate instead of a lack of progress that comes from a lack of intentional actions as well as our underlying beliefs.
Today we are going to explore what some of those beliefs and actions look like to help you unlock the potential of your career and make meaningful advancements.
KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS!
Are you a coffee shop owner looking to join a community of other owners to help bring perspective, insight, encouragement, and accountability in a well curated setting?
Then you need to apply to join Key holder Coaching Groups!
Applications are now open for Spring 2026 Cohort:
Click below to learn more:
APPLY TO KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS
KEYS TO THE SHOP CONSULTING HELPS YOU MAKE YOU CAFE BETTER!
Book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
617: Kwame Christian On How To Take Big Swings in Your Career and Business 331 : The 7 Deadly Sins of my Career 292 : How to Take Charge and Drive Your Career w/ Ed Evarts 077 : How you can Happen to your Career w/ Scott Anthony Barlow : A frame work for finding the right workSPONSORS!
"Your Brand Cafe" for all your Cups, Sleeves printing and much more!
The worlds best plant based beverages! The Barista Series!
Wed, 16 Sep 2026 - 35min - 1911 - SHIFT BREAK! It's Got To Hurt If It's To Heal! : The Pins and Needles of Positive Change
All too often we are likely to stick with the comfortable and known dysfunction or the habitual neglect of important areas of our business, than to take the uncomfortable but needed step of fixing and bringing life into those areas. In fact, I believe avoidance of taking action on those areas in need of attention is the first step in business failure.
Today on Shift Break we will be talking about embracing the pain associated with bringing attention, resource, and life back into areas that have been cut off and neglected and why doing so is in your coffee shop's best interest.
(Episode title credit to Urgl. IYKYK)
KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS
APPLY TO THE 2026 KHCG COHORT!
For cafe owners, the way you and your coffee shop grow is determined by how you are supported and nourished by community.
The trouble is most owners are isolated, stressed, and are in desperate need of a type of community that is not just generally related to business but is made up entirely of other coffee shop owners who know exactly where you are coming from.
That is what Key Holder Coaching Groups are all about.
A small group of invested coffee shop owners who are dedicated to encouragement, accountability, insights, and helping each other grow.
Our groups are limited 6-7 experienced cafe owners and we meet 12 times over 6 months in our Zoom sessions where we focus on member led topics that are actually relevant to the real life of a cafe owner.
Each member received 2 hours of one-on-one coaching through this time and has access to our Circle community where they can keep the connection and conversation going between our calls.
I would love to talk with you about how this unique group can make a difference in your life.
Look below for a few testimonials of past members and click this link to apply for the Fall 2026 cohort!
APPLY TO THE 2026 KHCG COHORT!
Testimonials:
My name is Susanna Winters and I am the owner and co -founder of Hilton Head Island Coffee Roasters. We're based out of Hilton Head, South Carolina. I've been part of Chris's key holder coaching group for I guess about five months now. And prior to that, I have participated in a few different business groups and business mentorship programs. And this coaching group has by far been the best and provided some of most value that we've received honestly in the two and a half years that we've been in business. And I think it's a combination of being paired with other business owners who are all at different places in their business. It really helps us take this big picture approach as well as get that really nitty gritty feedback, not only of what we need right now, but also what we might need a year from now.
And the group that I was part of, it was honestly just so much fun and so much fun getting to know this group. Everyone provided so much value and they were honest and they were vulnerable and they were so transparent with their businesses and everyone really took that extra step to support each other, which is one of the reasons why I'm signing up to do it for another six months. But I absolutely recommend this coaching group. I think it's one the best things out there for new coffee shops, old coffee shops, anyone looking to elevate their business to the next level.
-Susannah Winters/ Hilton Head Coffee Roasters
For us looking back, I think we were at a point of growth that we needed to take the steps to grow, but we were wearing ourselves out and burnout was starting to set it. I feel if we didn't reach out for help with Chris we would have greatly struggled. Both during the coaching and as a result of the coaching.
Working with KTTS consulting has been monumental for us as individuals and as a business. We were able to get insight and confidence in areas that we felt like we were really struggling in. We took huge steps with hiring a manager and equipping them to help lead. Chris' structure behind servant leadership really matched well with how we wanted to lead so it allowed a very cohesive development of our foundation for goals, foundations, requirements and leadership.
I would HIGHLY recommend KTTS to anyone regardless if you are struggling for feeling as though you are on top of the world with your business. I feel that no matter where you are in your journey, there's always room for growth. I even believe a few years down the road and we are continuing to grow that we would do it again and learn to continue to keep growing in a healthy was as a business and staying healthy as entrepreneurs
-Jessica Nguyễn Queen City and Co.
I made the decision to become a part of the Key Holder Coaching Group (KHCG) primarily to establish connections with other professionals who are actively engaged in the coffee business. I have found that through coaching I have been able to improve my productivity, streamlining my operations and have a healthier life/work balance.
The most beneficial aspect of the KHCG has been getting the opportunity to explore topics from multiple perspectives. I have found that even If I am not in the "Hot Seat" I am gaining valuable information that is relative to my business in some way. KHCG has proven to be a safe space for me to be vulnerable, increase my self-worth and positively adjust my mindset to get the most out of the experience.
As business owners, we are, without a doubt, our most valuable asset. Investing in ourselves, stepping outside of our patterns and opening up to fellow business professionals within our field will absolutely bring fresh perspectives to solve problems and reminders to celebrate wins. You do not have to do it all or do it all alone, KHCG will be a valuable ally on your journey to success.
-Sunny Cover / Peekskill Coffee Roasting Company / The Peekskill Coffeehouse
Thu, 10 Sep 2026 - 09min - 1910 - 625: 5 Ways To Make Your Coffee Taste Better
The quality of your coffee is one of the main reasons people choose your cafe vs another. It is the baseline expectation customers have for a specialty coffee shop and today, in spite of our abundant resources and access to information and tools, we are still far from consistently meeting, let alone exceeding, those expectations.
On the show today we will cover 5 ways your cafe can make your coffee and your whole menu taste better. I do believe we have claimed victory too soon and have conflated procuring quality products with producing quality products. I hope this episode makes you think and begin to implement intentional systems and cultural norms around quality that actually delivers!
KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS!
Are you a coffee shop owner looking to join a community of other owners to help bring perspective, insight, encouragement, and accountability in a well curated setting?
Then you need to apply to join Key holder Coaching Groups!
Applications are now open for Spring 2026 Cohort:
Click below to learn more:
APPLY TO KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS
KEYS TO THE SHOP CONSULTING HELPS YOU MAKE YOU CAFE BETTER!
Book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
SHIFT BREAK! How to Think About Quality SHIFT BREAK! The Difference Between Numbers and Quality Numbers in The Cafe 533: Principles of Quality ControlSPONSORS!
"Your Brand Cafe" for all your Cups, Sleeves printing and much more!
The worlds best plant based beverages! The Barista Series!
Mon, 07 Sep 2026 - 42min - 1909 - SHIFT BREAK! It's The Way You Say It: Tips For Improving How People Receive Your Words
You may have the best advice and information, but then your delivery can often fall flat or even have the opposite effect. This is very common in the cafe leadership environment where things are busy and our emotions feed into how we speak.
Today on Shift Break we will be talking about how to start paying attention to and adjusting the spirit behind the words you speak and how to make practical adjustments so what you say will be effective.
KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS
APPLY TO THE 2026 KHCG COHORT!
For cafe owners, the way you and your coffee shop grow is determined by how you are supported and nourished by community.
The trouble is most owners are isolated, stressed, and are in desperate need of a type of community that is not just generally related to business but is made up entirely of other coffee shop owners who know exactly where you are coming from.
That is what Key Holder Coaching Groups are all about.
A small group of invested coffee shop owners who are dedicated to encouragement, accountability, insights, and helping each other grow.
Our groups are limited 6-7 experienced cafe owners and we meet 12 times over 6 months in our Zoom sessions where we focus on member led topics that are actually relevant to the real life of a cafe owner.
Each member received 2 hours of one-on-one coaching through this time and has access to our Circle community where they can keep the connection and conversation going between our calls.
I would love to talk with you about how this unique group can make a difference in your life.
Look below for a few testimonials of past members and click this link to apply for the Fall 2026 cohort!
APPLY TO THE 2026 KHCG COHORT!
Testimonials:
My name is Susanna Winters and I am the owner and co -founder of Hilton Head Island Coffee Roasters. We're based out of Hilton Head, South Carolina. I've been part of Chris's key holder coaching group for I guess about five months now. And prior to that, I have participated in a few different business groups and business mentorship programs. And this coaching group has by far been the best and provided some of most value that we've received honestly in the two and a half years that we've been in business. And I think it's a combination of being paired with other business owners who are all at different places in their business. It really helps us take this big picture approach as well as get that really nitty gritty feedback, not only of what we need right now, but also what we might need a year from now.
And the group that I was part of, it was honestly just so much fun and so much fun getting to know this group. Everyone provided so much value and they were honest and they were vulnerable and they were so transparent with their businesses and everyone really took that extra step to support each other, which is one of the reasons why I'm signing up to do it for another six months. But I absolutely recommend this coaching group. I think it's one the best things out there for new coffee shops, old coffee shops, anyone looking to elevate their business to the next level.
-Susannah Winters/ Hilton Head Coffee Roasters
For us looking back, I think we were at a point of growth that we needed to take the steps to grow, but we were wearing ourselves out and burnout was starting to set it. I feel if we didn't reach out for help with Chris we would have greatly struggled. Both during the coaching and as a result of the coaching.
Working with KTTS consulting has been monumental for us as individuals and as a business. We were able to get insight and confidence in areas that we felt like we were really struggling in. We took huge steps with hiring a manager and equipping them to help lead. Chris' structure behind servant leadership really matched well with how we wanted to lead so it allowed a very cohesive development of our foundation for goals, foundations, requirements and leadership.
I would HIGHLY recommend KTTS to anyone regardless if you are struggling for feeling as though you are on top of the world with your business. I feel that no matter where you are in your journey, there's always room for growth. I even believe a few years down the road and we are continuing to grow that we would do it again and learn to continue to keep growing in a healthy was as a business and staying healthy as entrepreneurs
-Jessica Nguyễn Queen City and Co.
I made the decision to become a part of the Key Holder Coaching Group (KHCG) primarily to establish connections with other professionals who are actively engaged in the coffee business. I have found that through coaching I have been able to improve my productivity, streamlining my operations and have a healthier life/work balance.
The most beneficial aspect of the KHCG has been getting the opportunity to explore topics from multiple perspectives. I have found that even If I am not in the "Hot Seat" I am gaining valuable information that is relative to my business in some way. KHCG has proven to be a safe space for me to be vulnerable, increase my self-worth and positively adjust my mindset to get the most out of the experience.
As business owners, we are, without a doubt, our most valuable asset. Investing in ourselves, stepping outside of our patterns and opening up to fellow business professionals within our field will absolutely bring fresh perspectives to solve problems and reminders to celebrate wins. You do not have to do it all or do it all alone, KHCG will be a valuable ally on your journey to success.
-Sunny Cover / Peekskill Coffee Roasting Company / The Peekskill Coffeehouse
Thu, 03 Sep 2026 - 09min - 1908 - 624: Founder Friday! The Power of Inclusion w/ Lindsay Wrege of 321 Coffee in Raleigh, NC
One of the coolest things about coffee is how it can be used as a catalyst for change. Today we are going to be talking with someone who has built one of the best examples of how a business with a vision can make real progress for inclusion. We are talking with Lindsay Wredge, Co-founder of 321 Coffee in Raleigh, NC! 321 Coffee is a coffee shop and roaster built on inclusion. Based in Raleigh, NC, 321 currently employs over 50 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). They are the ones roasting the coffee, taking the orders, and making the lattes and in this and many other ways 321 is demonstrating the value of an inclusive business model. The name "321 Coffee" is representative of Down syndrome, which occurs when an individual has 3 copies of the 21st chromosome. The company was founded in 2017 by Lindsay Wrege and Michael Evans. The two met during their freshman year as Park Scholars at NC State University. They had the vision to build a company founded on inclusion. 321 Coffee started with a couple folding tables and a home coffee brewer set up anywhere that would welcome them. These events helped to develop a presence in the community. Raleigh rallied behind the mission and helped 321 grow beyond those folding tables. Today, 321 Coffee operates multiple coffee shops in the Raleigh area and is actively finding new opportunities to expand our impact. We roast our own coffee, offer a full-scale espresso menu, and partner with over 100 different companies to provide them with coffee. Together, we are building a company that stands for inclusion and doing business the right way.
We discuss
The origins of 321 Coffee The importance of inclusive employment and community impact Starting with a low-barrier mobile coffee shop Designing accessible operations and training for employees with disabilities Maintaining quality and integrity at scale while staying true to the mission Leadership qualities and character traits essential for growth Scaling operations from a small cart to multiple cafes and wholesale Strategies for recruiting, training, and retaining diverse talent The role of community and customer relationships in success Future outlook and advice for other coffee businesses interested in inclusionLinks:
KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS!
Are you a coffee shop owner looking to join a community of other owners to help bring perspective, insight, encouragement, and accountability in a well curated setting?
Then you need to apply to join Key holder Coaching Groups!
Applications are now open for Spring 2026 Cohort:
Click below to learn more:
APPLY TO KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS
KEYS TO THE SHOP CONSULTING HELPS YOU MAKE YOU CAFE BETTER!
Book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
SPONSORS!
"Your Brand Cafe" for all your Cups, Sleeves printing and much more!
The worlds best plant based beverages! The Barista Series!
Sat, 05 Sep 2026 - 47min - 1907 - 623: Coffee Content Overload! What Matters Most When Consuming Content Today
Today we have an impossibly vast range of resources and content about anything you need to learn or know about coffee and coffee shops. What a time to be alive! The issue that comes with these accessible and abundant resources is the issue of learning but never applying or growing. We have become people who seek information as the end in itself, not the means to an end
On this episode I am going to give you some perspective on why we tend to collect content but very rarely apply it, and talk about a framework for approaching the overwhelming amount of advice and instruction so you are more disciplined and get to actually see the benefit that content tends to promise, but only application can deliver.
KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS!
Are you a coffee shop owner looking to join a community of other owners to help bring perspective, insight, encouragement, and accountability in a well curated setting?
Then you need to apply to join Key holder Coaching Groups!
Applications are now open for Spring 2026 Cohort:
Click below to learn more:
APPLY TO KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS
KEYS TO THE SHOP CONSULTING HELPS YOU MAKE YOU CAFE BETTER!
Book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
SPONSORS!
"Your Brand Cafe" for all your Cups, Sleeves printing and much more!
The worlds best plant based beverages! The Barista Series!
Wed, 02 Sep 2026 - 28min - 1906 - SHIFT BREAK! Don't Give Your Staff Invisible Targets
If we want our staff to succeed, we have to give them clear target to aim for. Unfortunately shocking number of cafes have what I would describe as invisible targets that only appear once the arrow is released. No wonder managers and other staff feel that winning at work is a rigged game.
In today's Shift Break we will talk about the importance of providing clear targets, and how to build momentum and confidence in your staff as they grow in their ability to hit them.
KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS
APPLY TO THE 2026 KHCG COHORT!
For cafe owners, the way you and your coffee shop grow is determined by how you are supported and nourished by community.
The trouble is most owners are isolated, stressed, and are in desperate need of a type of community that is not just generally related to business but is made up entirely of other coffee shop owners who know exactly where you are coming from.
That is what Key Holder Coaching Groups are all about.
A small group of invested coffee shop owners who are dedicated to encouragement, accountability, insights, and helping each other grow.
Our groups are limited 6-7 experienced cafe owners and we meet 12 times over 6 months in our Zoom sessions where we focus on member led topics that are actually relevant to the real life of a cafe owner.
Each member received 2 hours of one-on-one coaching through this time and has access to our Circle community where they can keep the connection and conversation going between our calls.
I would love to talk with you about how this unique group can make a difference in your life.
Look below for a few testimonials of past members and click this link to apply for the Fall 2026 cohort!
APPLY TO THE 2026 KHCG COHORT!
Testimonials:
My name is Susanna Winters and I am the owner and co -founder of Hilton Head Island Coffee Roasters. We're based out of Hilton Head, South Carolina. I've been part of Chris's key holder coaching group for I guess about five months now. And prior to that, I have participated in a few different business groups and business mentorship programs. And this coaching group has by far been the best and provided some of most value that we've received honestly in the two and a half years that we've been in business. And I think it's a combination of being paired with other business owners who are all at different places in their business. It really helps us take this big picture approach as well as get that really nitty gritty feedback, not only of what we need right now, but also what we might need a year from now.
And the group that I was part of, it was honestly just so much fun and so much fun getting to know this group. Everyone provided so much value and they were honest and they were vulnerable and they were so transparent with their businesses and everyone really took that extra step to support each other, which is one of the reasons why I'm signing up to do it for another six months. But I absolutely recommend this coaching group. I think it's one the best things out there for new coffee shops, old coffee shops, anyone looking to elevate their business to the next level.
-Susannah Winters/ Hilton Head Coffee Roasters
For us looking back, I think we were at a point of growth that we needed to take the steps to grow, but we were wearing ourselves out and burnout was starting to set it. I feel if we didn't reach out for help with Chris we would have greatly struggled. Both during the coaching and as a result of the coaching.
Working with KTTS consulting has been monumental for us as individuals and as a business. We were able to get insight and confidence in areas that we felt like we were really struggling in. We took huge steps with hiring a manager and equipping them to help lead. Chris' structure behind servant leadership really matched well with how we wanted to lead so it allowed a very cohesive development of our foundation for goals, foundations, requirements and leadership.
I would HIGHLY recommend KTTS to anyone regardless if you are struggling for feeling as though you are on top of the world with your business. I feel that no matter where you are in your journey, there's always room for growth. I even believe a few years down the road and we are continuing to grow that we would do it again and learn to continue to keep growing in a healthy was as a business and staying healthy as entrepreneurs
-Jessica Nguyễn Queen City and Co.
I made the decision to become a part of the Key Holder Coaching Group (KHCG) primarily to establish connections with other professionals who are actively engaged in the coffee business. I have found that through coaching I have been able to improve my productivity, streamlining my operations and have a healthier life/work balance.
The most beneficial aspect of the KHCG has been getting the opportunity to explore topics from multiple perspectives. I have found that even If I am not in the "Hot Seat" I am gaining valuable information that is relative to my business in some way. KHCG has proven to be a safe space for me to be vulnerable, increase my self-worth and positively adjust my mindset to get the most out of the experience.
As business owners, we are, without a doubt, our most valuable asset. Investing in ourselves, stepping outside of our patterns and opening up to fellow business professionals within our field will absolutely bring fresh perspectives to solve problems and reminders to celebrate wins. You do not have to do it all or do it all alone, KHCG will be a valuable ally on your journey to success.
-Sunny Cover / Peekskill Coffee Roasting Company / The Peekskill Coffeehouse
Fri, 28 Aug 2026 - 11min - 1905 - What are the Key Holder Coaching Groups?
For cafe owners, the way you and your coffee shop grow is determined by how you are supported and nourished by community.
The trouble is most owners are isolated, stressed, and are in desperate need of a type of community that is not just generally related to business but is made up entirely of other coffee shop owners who know exactly where you are coming from.
That is what Key Holder Coaching Groups are all about.
A small group of invested coffee shop owners who are dedicated to encouragement, accountability, insights, and helping each other grow.
Our groups are limited 6-7 experienced cafe owners and we meet 12 times over 6 months in our Zoom sessions where we focus on member led topics that are actually relevant to the real life of a cafe owner.
Each member received 2 hours of one-on-one coaching through this time and has access to our Circle community where they can keep the connection and conversation going between our calls.
I would love to talk with you about how this unique group can make a difference in your life.
Look below for a few testimonials of past members and click this link to apply for the Fall 2026 cohort!
APPLY TO THE 2026 KHCG COHORT!
Testimonials:
My name is Susanna Winters and I am the owner and co -founder of Hilton Head Island Coffee Roasters. We're based out of Hilton Head, South Carolina. I've been part of Chris's key holder coaching group for I guess about five months now. And prior to that, I have participated in a few different business groups and business mentorship programs. And this coaching group has by far been the best and provided some of most value that we've received honestly in the two and a half years that we've been in business. And I think it's a combination of being paired with other business owners who are all at different places in their business. It really helps us take this big picture approach as well as get that really nitty gritty feedback, not only of what we need right now, but also what we might need a year from now.
And the group that I was part of, it was honestly just so much fun and so much fun getting to know this group. Everyone provided so much value and they were honest and they were vulnerable and they were so transparent with their businesses and everyone really took that extra step to support each other, which is one of the reasons why I'm signing up to do it for another six months. But I absolutely recommend this coaching group. I think it's one the best things out there for new coffee shops, old coffee shops, anyone looking to elevate their business to the next level.
-Susannah Winters/ Hilton Head Coffee Roasters
For us looking back, I think we were at a point of growth that we needed to take the steps to grow, but we were wearing ourselves out and burnout was starting to set it. I feel if we didn't reach out for help with Chris we would have greatly struggled. Both during the coaching and as a result of the coaching.
Working with KTTS consulting has been monumental for us as individuals and as a business. We were able to get insight and confidence in areas that we felt like we were really struggling in. We took huge steps with hiring a manager and equipping them to help lead. Chris' structure behind servant leadership really matched well with how we wanted to lead so it allowed a very cohesive development of our foundation for goals, foundations, requirements and leadership.
I would HIGHLY recommend KTTS to anyone regardless if you are struggling for feeling as though you are on top of the world with your business. I feel that no matter where you are in your journey, there's always room for growth. I even believe a few years down the road and we are continuing to grow that we would do it again and learn to continue to keep growing in a healthy was as a business and staying healthy as entrepreneurs
-Jessica Nguyễn Queen City and Co.
I made the decision to become a part of the Key Holder Coaching Group (KHCG) primarily to establish connections with other professionals who are actively engaged in the coffee business. I have found that through coaching I have been able to improve my productivity, streamlining my operations and have a healthier life/work balance.
The most beneficial aspect of the KHCG has been getting the opportunity to explore topics from multiple perspectives. I have found that even If I am not in the "Hot Seat" I am gaining valuable information that is relative to my business in some way. KHCG has proven to be a safe space for me to be vulnerable, increase my self-worth and positively adjust my mindset to get the most out of the experience.
As business owners, we are, without a doubt, our most valuable asset. Investing in ourselves, stepping outside of our patterns and opening up to fellow business professionals within our field will absolutely bring fresh perspectives to solve problems and reminders to celebrate wins. You do not have to do it all or do it all alone, KHCG will be a valuable ally on your journey to success.
-Sunny Cover / Peekskill Coffee Roasting Company / The Peekskill Coffeehouse
Wed, 26 Aug 2026 - 12min - 1904 - 622: Lifting Up Coffee Farmers w/ Ben Carlson of Long Miles Coffee!
In coffee we can often question the impact of our efforts. Over time though, small consistent steps in the right direction can not only carry you over many miles, it can transform you and those for whom you are working. What may seem like plodding work now, is the foundation for what will be built in the future.
Today we are talking with someone whose work has taken several turns over the years. All of which were in the direction of uplifting farmers with whatever means were at hand. Today the massive impact of those consistent actions has led to impact beyond measure.
We are talking with Ben Carlson of Long Miles Coffee.
Ben Carlson is a coffee industry leader and social entrepreneur with 23 years of global experience, including 16 years on the ground in East Africa. Based in Nairobi, Kenya, Ben serves as the CEO, Chief Culture Creator, and Sales Director of Long Miles Coffee—an impact-driven organization dedicated to producing world-class specialty coffee while uplifting smallholder farming communities out of generational poverty.
Ben's journey in East Africa began in 2010 following a quality survey of Burundi's coffee sector. Driven by a vision to challenge exploitative supply chains, he transitioned from coffee trading to hands-on production, founding Long Miles Coffee in 2013 alongside his wife, Kristy. What started with a single washing station serving 180 families in Bukeye, Burundi, has scaled into a multi-country operation employing over 130 team members and supporting more than 9,500 farming families across Burundi and Uganda.
Under Ben's leadership, Long Miles has consistently set benchmarks for quality and sustainability, earning numerous Cup of Excellence awards and achieving Burundi's highest coffee sales per pound. His current work focuses on pioneering climate-resilient agriculture, including building Africa's first carbon-neutral, minimal-water coffee processing facility and developing a regenerative model farm on Mount Elgon in Western Kenya.
Recognized as Imbibe Magazine's "Coffee Person of the Year," Ben is a frequent international speaker, event host, and competition judge on impact-driven business models and sustainable agriculture. He also serves as the regional distributor for Ecotact protective packaging in Uganda and Kenya. Ben lives in Kenya with his family, continuing his mission to reshape the future of African specialty coffee.
We discuss:
The start of Long Miles Coffee and its initial vision Impact of coffee on local communities in Burundi Challenges and innovations in coffee farming and processing Scaling the impact: From 100 families to thousands The social programs: Coffee Kids Camp and community development Market response and the future of Long Miles Coffee Advice for those who want to make a differenceKEYS TO THE SHOP CONSULTING HELPS YOU MAKE YOU CAFE BETTER!
Book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
COVID-19 Focus: Perspective from Burundi w/ Jeanine Niyonzima-Aroian, JNP Coffee 451: Business Growth, Integrity, and Coffee Farmer Equity w/ Martin Mayorga of Mayorga Coffee Sustainability Series #1 : The Farm 153 : Exploring the Peace Trade in the Congo w/ Mighty Peace CoffeeSPONSORS!
"Your Brand Cafe" for all your Cups, Sleeves printing and much more!
The worlds best plant based beverages! The Barista Series!
Tue, 25 Aug 2026 - 55min - 1903 - SHIFT BREAK! What It Means To Have Integrity In Our Work
Integrity is hard to identify unless you are actively looking for and working on it. But what is "it"? Well, in some ways it is consistency, but that is not enough. Integrity is more than production of the same thing the same way, it is more related to the mindset and spirit behind that consistency. In coffee, we have a lot of room to improve our consistency, because we are lacking in how seriously we take integrity.
Today on Shift Break we will be talking about what integrity means and where it shows up in the work of the daily operations. If we can consciously build integrity in the moments where it counts, we will se ever aspect of our coffee shops improve.
KEYS TO THE SHOP® CONSULTING HELPS YOU MAKE YOU CAFE BETTER!
Book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
Coffee, Integrity, and A.I. SHIFT BREAK! When Changing Things, Pay Attention to the Heart of the Business SHIFT BREAK! Vendor Hospitality SHIFT BREAK! The Urgent Need for Training in Today's Coffee Shop SHIFT BREAK! Why The Best Hospitality Starts With The Transactional! 469: Unremarkable Hospitality and Cafe TerroirThank you to out sponsors!
Everything you need for back of the house operations https://rattleware.qualitybystainless.com/
The best and most revered espresso machines on the planet: www.lamarzoccousa.com
Thu, 20 Aug 2026 - 12min - 1902 - 621: Managment, Supply Chain, and Building Great Teams w/ Ewelina Kania!
In order to provide excellence in the cafe, we need to focus on people. Building, caring for, and managing a team is the cornerstone of any great cafe. The potential of your coffee and hospitality depends on this!
Today we are going to be talking with someone who has lead and managed at the highest levels of coffee. With her passion for logistics, people-first leadership, and team development, she has delivered consistent quality for staff and guests alike. I am thrilled to welcome to the show, Ewelina Kania!
Ewelina has spent over a decade in hospitality, starting out as a barista before joining Prufrock Coffee in London. As General Manager during an eight-year stretch, she ran the entire operation, tested new concepts, and navigated the less glamorous realities of the industry - including leadership transitions, operational hurdles, and a global pandemic. She later worked as Chief Operating Officer at Barista Hustle Tools, diving deep into product logistics and global supply chains.
Today, Ewelina is Head of Operations and Logistics at Natoora Copenhagen, connecting small-scale growers with local chefs. For her, moving from specialty coffee to farm-grown produce is a seamless transition: both industries rely on passionate people who care deeply about origin and quality. Across every role, she stays focused on one core principle: a happy, supported team leads to a stronger business and a better guest experience.
We discuss:
How Ewelina Started in Coffee by Accident Mastering Coffee Logistics and Workflow Attraction to Leadership and Team Development Lessons in Effective Leadership and Communication Time Management and Supporting Teams Effective Delegation and Empowerment Managing Conflict in Teams Similarities in Food and Coffee Supply Chains Lessons from Food Industry for Coffee Role of Coffee Shops in Supply Chain and CommunityLinks:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ew__ka__/
Natoora: https://www.instagram.com/natoora/
KEYS TO THE SHOP CONSULTING HELPS YOU MAKE YOU CAFE BETTER!
Book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
611: What Colin Harmon Knows About Growing Coffee Shops! 583: Unifying Teams Across Multiple Cafes SHIFT BREAK! Walking Out Effective Leadership and Management 265 : Gaining Clarity on Transparency w/ Jonas Lorenz of The Pledge Sustainability Series #2 : Importing & RoastingSPONSORS!
"Your Brand Cafe" for all your Cups, Sleeves printing and much more!
The worlds best plant based beverages! The Barista Series!
Tue, 18 Aug 2026 - 48min - 1901 - SHIFT BREAK! Challenge and Affirmation: Why You Need Both In Your Coffee Shopp
If we know anything it is that striking a balance in our communication is very difficult. It often feels like we are neglecting affirmation for fear of not addressing issues, or we neglect addressing issues and challenging our staff because we worry about how they will take it. So we stick to simply working a lot and mostly doing both poorly. No more!
Today on Shift Break we will be talking about why you and your staff need challenge and affirmation to both be real and regular practices in the daily work and life of the shop. How we view people and how we speak with and to them has an incredible impact on everything in your operation.
I think this short Shift Break may have in it the key to unlocking the kind of culture and relationships you hope for in your cafe.
KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS ARE BACK!
The industry's premier coffee shop owner support and coaching cohort 'Key Holder Coaching Groups" is taking new applications now for the Fall 2026 cohort.
If you are a coffee shop owner with at least 2 years experience in running your shop then you know how isolating it can be to run the business.
Key Holder Coaching Groups (Apply Here ) Are purposeful 5-6 person groups that meet regularly over 6 months to help each other with encouragement, perspective, problem solving, and peer coaching that nourishes and advances you and your business.
We are taking new application for the Fall 2026 cohort! Put in your application today!
https://keystotheshop.com/key-holder-coaching-groups/
Sign up for 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email chris@keystothshop.com
OR... book a free call now to talk about working together
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
4 Steps to Investing in Affirmation The Affirmation Vacuum : How to make positive reinforcement a corner stone of your leadership and communication SHIFT BREAK! Don't Waste Your Presence 5 Keys to Coffee Shop Staff Retention Insecurity in ManagementFri, 14 Aug 2026 - 09min - 1900 - 620: Creating Spaces For Joyful Hospitality w/ Mo Maravilla of Studio Tigre
As we continue to see specialty coffee shops grow and expand into the furthest reaches of the globe, one thing remains an enduring value to customers. That feeling of belonging. A sense that the hospitality and the good will of those providing it are genuine makes every cup taste sweet and the memory of the experience even sweeter.
Perhaps no professional in recent years better embodies these values than today's guest, Monique (Mo) Maravilla!
Mo is a Filipino entrepreneur, coffee roaster, educator, traveler, and champion of joyful hospitality.
Her journey began on the guest side of the bar, appreciating the way a single cup could hold identity, story, and connection all at once. Her passion for community and representation led her to open Kindness and Mischief Coffee Roasters in the Highland Park neighborhood of Los Angeles in 2016. Noticing a severe lack of women — and particularly women of color — behind the bar, at the roaster, and at the helm of their own shops, she started learning to roast in 2017 and became the first Filipino woman roaster in Los Angeles. Coffee became her chosen medium to create meaningful connections, experiences, and safe, inclusive spaces for others, especially those in marginalized groups. After 12 years running K+M, Mo created Studio Tigre to continue to challenge what the coffee world looks and feels like, and who gets to lead it. Inspired by her Filipino heritage and the symbolism of the tiger, she built a brand that is boldly designed, radically anti-gatekeeping, and rooted in community. Her mission: help people feel confident, capable, and celebrated in the spaces where craft and culture meet — because when you're not offered a seat at the table, you build your own.
We discuss:
Going from audiovisual engineering to coffee entrepreneurship The importance of community and authentic relationships in business Designing coffee spaces for joy, warmth, and connection Lessons learned from running Kindness and Mischief after 12 years The role of boundaries and self-awareness in in being an owner Studio Tigre as a creative extension and omakase coffee experience The journey of learning roasting and sharing knowledge Balancing passion, business growth, and personal well-beingREGISTER NOW FOR THE SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES!
Build a Stronger Coffee Shop: One Step at a TimeGreat coffee shops don't happen by accident. They are built by hiring the right people, training them well, and leading them with clarity and consistency.
In this live three-part Summer Webinar Series, Chris Deferio shares the practical systems and coaching insights that have helped coffee businesses build stronger teams, healthier cultures, and more resilient operations.
Each webinar includes:
Live instruction and Q&A PDF workbook One hour of virtual consulting for each live attendee Lifetime access to the recordingRegister for the individual sessions that fit your current needs, or scroll down to save 20% on the complete Summer Webinar Series.
REGISTER NOW FOR THE SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES!
of book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
484: Demystifying Mentorship w/ Dr. Ruth Gotian, Author of "The Financial Times guide to Mentorship"" 003: The Role of Mentorship in Specialty Coffee w/ Pete Licata 580: Four Cafe Leadership Mindsets to Adopt in the New Year 437 : The New Age of the Barista: Mindsets + Habits for Success 253 : Mindsets that Sabotage SuccessSPONSORS!
"Your Brand Cafe" for all your Cups, Sleeves printing and much more!
The worlds best plant based beverages! The Barista Series!
Mon, 10 Aug 2026 - 53min - 1899 - Special! Interviews From Coffee Fest Chicago 2026! w/ Lan Ho (Fat Miilk), Miranda Haney (Barista Friend), Asia Vo (Loba Pastry and Coffee))
Every Coffee Fest we sit down with presenters and speakers to talk about their field of expertise and learn from their experience in coffee.
This time we had a wonderful time talking with three professionals at Coffee Fest Chicago! We start with Lan Ho, Founder of Fat Miilk Vietnamese coffee bar in Chicago!
Lan Ho is the founder and CEO of Fat Miilk, a Chicago-based Vietnamese coffee company redefining the role of Robusta in modern coffee. Through a platform spanning direct sourcing, roasting, retail cafés, and consumer packaged goods, she is building a brand that connects origin to everyday ritual.
With a background in pharmacy, Lan brings a systems-driven mindset to an industry often led by tradition. She left a six-figure healthcare career to pursue entrepreneurship and has since been featured on CNBC and appeared on Gordon Ramsay's Food Stars. Fat Miilk opened its first Chicago storefront in 2024, with a second location in Naperville set to open this summer.
Deeply interested in consumer psychology, Lan approaches coffee through the lens of lifestyle, how people drink, feel, and connect through daily habits. She is a leading voice in advancing Robusta's place in the global coffee conversation.
Links:
http://instagram.com/fatmiilk/
Next we are talking about approachable and joyful coffee training and eduction with Miranda Haney of Barista Friend!
Miranda Haney is a coffee educator and consultant based in Austin, TX. She is the founder of Barista Friend, a mobile barista training service for home and professional baristas.
Hailing from a long line of teachers, Miranda is especially passionate about delivering information in a way that's engaging and easy to understand. She's a permanent fixture at the local latte art competitions, a two-time U.S. Barista Championships national competitor, runner-up in the 2024 Barista League, Denver, and currently serves as vice president of the Austin Coffee Collective. Most recently, she was a 2025 Coffee Sustainability Fellow with The Chain Collaborative.
Links:
https://www.instagram.com/baristafriend/
https://baristafriend.substack.com/
Finally we talk with Asia Vo of Loba Pastry and Coffee
Asia Vo is a Chicago-based artist devoted to curating intentional food and beverage experiences. In her present role as the Beverage Director of Loba Pastry, Vo honors craftsmanship through her continual pursuit of authentic creation and curiosity.
Links:
https://www.instagram.com/asia__vo/
Go check out Coffee Fest Trade Shows Today!
Mon, 10 Aug 2026 - 43min - 1898 - SHIFT BREAK! Walking Out Effective Leadership and Management
Leading and managing are only as effective as your knowledge and understanding of the who, what, and why of your cafe. Sadly many people with the title of manager or in positions of leadership are going day-to-day putting out fires, chasing down tasks, but never getting ahead in developing and supporting their staff in meaningful ways.
Today on Shift Break we will be talking about some practical tools to start using in your leadership practice right away and how to think about the position you hold so you are able to grow yourself and grow others.
REGISTER NOW FOR THE SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES!
Build a Stronger Coffee Shop: One Step at a TimeGreat coffee shops don't happen by accident. They are built by hiring the right people, training them well, and leading them with clarity and consistency.
In this live webinar Chris Deferio shares the practical systems and coaching insights that have helped coffee businesses build stronger teams, healthier cultures, and more resilient operations.
Webinar includes:
Live instruction and Q&A PDF workbook One hour of virtual consulting for each live attendee Lifetime access to the recordingREGISTER NOW FOR THE SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES!
Sign up for 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email chris@keystothshop.com
OR... book a free call now to talk about working together
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
Fri, 07 Aug 2026 - 14min - 1897 - 619: 4 Mindset Shifts Every Cafe Owners Needs
How we think determines how we act. This is especially true when it comes to pressurized situations like the kind that we find in a busy coffee shop environment. We talk a lot about leader, ship, tactics, and principles, and aspire to be better leaders, but if we don't fix our thinking, our actions will not be effective in our efforts will fall flat.
On today's episode we will be discussing for major mind set shif that every coffee shop leader needs to make in order to properly serve the people they work with and for.
We cover:
Teaching vs informing Working with vs dealing with Preemptive vs reactionary Effective vs impressiveSign up for the leadership and management webinar below!
REGISTER NOW FOR THE SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES!
Build a Stronger Coffee Shop: One Step at a TimeGreat coffee shops don't happen by accident. They are built by hiring the right people, training them well, and leading them with clarity and consistency.
In this live three-part Summer Webinar Series, Chris Deferio shares the practical systems and coaching insights that have helped coffee businesses build stronger teams, healthier cultures, and more resilient operations.
Each webinar includes:
Live instruction and Q&A PDF workbook One hour of virtual consulting for each live attendee Lifetime access to the recordingRegister for the individual sessions that fit your current needs, or scroll down to save 20% on the complete Summer Webinar Series.
REGISTER NOW FOR THE SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES!
of book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
484: Demystifying Mentorship w/ Dr. Ruth Gotian, Author of "The Financial Times guide to Mentorship"" 003: The Role of Mentorship in Specialty Coffee w/ Pete Licata 580: Four Cafe Leadership Mindsets to Adopt in the New Year 437 : The New Age of the Barista: Mindsets + Habits for Success 253 : Mindsets that Sabotage SuccessSPONSORS!
"Your Brand Cafe" for all your Cups, Sleeves printing and much more!
The worlds best plant based beverages! The Barista Series!
Tue, 04 Aug 2026 - 25min - 1896 - 618: Founder Friday! w/ Tim Wendelboe | Oslo, Norway
It's Founder Friday and I am so pleased to finally welcome the one an only Tim Wendelboe!
Tim Wendelboe runs his own roastery and espresso bar in Oslo, Norway where he imports, roast and serve high quality coffees.
Apart from winning 8 Nordic Roaster Competitions with his team, he was the 2004 World Barista Champion and the 2005 World Cup Tasting Champion and has also published several books on coffee. Tim spends a lot of time working together with the producers he buys coffee from in order to improve the quality of their coffees. He is also working on his own coffee farm, Finca el Suelo, in Colombia where he uses his knowledge in soil biology to grow coffee free from pesticides and mineral fertilizers.
This was a great time talking about a wide range of subjects all related to pursuing excellence in operations, trade, leadership, and craft.
In todays discussion we cover:
Tim Wendelboe's coffee journey from 1998 to today Importance of systems and standards in coffee shops Competitive Coffee and Professional Growth Long-term relationships with coffee farmers and sustainability Roasting techniques and the shift to lighter roasts Staff training, retention, and creating a team-oriented culture Standards, Leadership, and Human-Centered Management Building Systems for Quality and Consistency The role of customer service and authenticity in coffee Future challenges in coffee quality and climate change Partnerships with Farmers and Sustainability Initiatives The importance of organizational knowledge and leadership The Future of Coffee and Customer EngagementLinks:
https://www.instagram.com/timwendelboe/
REGISTER NOW FOR THE SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES!
Build a Stronger Coffee Shop: One Step at a TimeGreat coffee shops don't happen by accident. They are built by hiring the right people, training them well, and leading them with clarity and consistency.
In this live three-part Summer Webinar Series, Chris Deferio shares the practical systems and coaching insights that have helped coffee businesses build stronger teams, healthier cultures, and more resilient operations.
Each webinar includes:
Live instruction and Q&A PDF workbook One hour of virtual consulting for each live attendee Lifetime access to the recordingRegister for the individual sessions that fit your current needs, or scroll down to save 20% on the complete Summer Webinar Series.
REGISTER NOW FOR THE SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES!
of book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
252 : Founder Friday w/ Klaus Thompson of the Coffee Collective, Denmark 320 Founder Friday! w/ Francesco Sanapo of Ditta Artigianale, Florence, Italy 273 : Founder Friday w/ Anne Lunnel and Charles Nystrand of Koppi Coffee Roasters, Helsingborg, Sweden SHIFT BREAK! The New Classic Cafe: An Era of Understated Excellence 505: Maintaining Excellence in the Everyday Work of Coffee Shops w/ Maxwell Colonna-DashwoodFri, 31 Jul 2026 - 57min - 1895 - SHIFT BREAK! Start Small
Seemingly in balance to our episode with Kwame Christian on big swings, we need to talk about small starts!
Making decisions about size, scope, and scale of our cafes can set us up for success or it can set us up for disappointment. I see this play out time and time again where people over commit to something and bite of more than they can chew. This leads to al sorts of downstream issues. Today on Shift Break we will be talking about the mentality of starting small in all aspects of your business and why it makes all the difference for the sustainability of what you create.
REGISTER NOW FOR THE SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES!
Build a Stronger Coffee Shop: One Step at a TimeGreat coffee shops don't happen by accident. They are built by hiring the right people, training them well, and leading them with clarity and consistency.
In this live three-part Summer Webinar Series, Chris Deferio shares the practical systems and coaching insights that have helped coffee businesses build stronger teams, healthier cultures, and more resilient operations.
Each webinar includes:
Live instruction and Q&A PDF workbook One hour of virtual consulting for each live attendee Lifetime access to the recordingRegister for the individual sessions that fit your current needs, or scroll down to save 20% when you bundle the last two in our series.
REGISTER NOW FOR THE SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES!
Sign up for 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email chris@keystothshop.com
OR... book a free call now to talk about working together
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
443: Keep Your Communication Simple! w/ Author Ben Guttmann Keep Systems Simple! SHIFT BREAK! The Best Strategy is SimplicityThu, 30 Jul 2026 - 08min - 1894 - 617: Kwame Christian On How To Take Big Swings in Your Career and Business
There is wisdom in taking well considered steps in your life and business. The trouble is that sometimes, when the best move is a big one, we can write it off as unwise or reckless. How can we overcome what holds us back from making the right big moves?
Well I am pleased to welcome back to the show someone who has lived out and navigated this problem. My friend and world renowned expert in communication and negotiation, Kwame Christian!
Kwame Christian, Director of the American Negotiation Institute. He is the author of two bestselling books: Finding Confidence in Conflict and How to Have Difficult Conversations About Race
He is a highly sought after keynote speaker and was a recent featured guest on the Mel Robbins Podcast.
Kwame is dedicated to empowering others and has helped countless individuals overcome the fear, anxiety, and emotion often associated with difficult conversations through a branded framework called Compassionate Curiosity.
As an attorney and mediator with a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology, a Master of Public Policy, and a Juris Doctorate (Law Degree), Kwame brings a unique multidisciplinary approach to making difficult conversations easier.
We discuss:
Big swings mentality and its impact on success The role of identity in behavior change Overcoming fear and limiting beliefs Practical strategies for habit formation The concept of strategic luck and positioning The importance of honesty and self-awareness Playing small is often rooted in limiting beliefs and fear. Adopting an identity-based approach can accelerate behavior change. Small, consistent actions lead to big ripple effects over time. Practicing identity shifts through experiments and reminders is effective. Embracing uncertainty and adaptability is crucial in a changing world.Links:
REGISTER NOW FOR THE SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES!
Build a Stronger Coffee Shop: One Step at a TimeGreat coffee shops don't happen by accident. They are built by hiring the right people, training them well, and leading them with clarity and consistency.
In this live three-part Summer Webinar Series, Chris Deferio shares the practical systems and coaching insights that have helped coffee businesses build stronger teams, healthier cultures, and more resilient operations.
Each webinar includes:
Live instruction and Q&A PDF workbook One hour of virtual consulting for each live attendee Lifetime access to the recordingRegister for the individual sessions that fit your current needs, or scroll down to save 20% on the complete Summer Webinar Series.
REGISTER NOW FOR THE SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES!
of book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
222 : How to have Difficult Conversations about Race and Justice w/ Kwame Christian 125 : Confidence in Conflict w/ Kwame Christian : A framework for Compassionate Curiosity 496: Hard Decisions and High Standards 184 : Making Great Business Decisions w/ Dave StachowiakMon, 27 Jul 2026 - 48min - 1892 - SHIFT BREAK! Are You Holding Your Business Back? Let it Grow!
I had a conversation with a successful cafe and roastery client recently. We talked about delegation and what was standing in the way of them giving tasks and authority to others. It came out that they were worried about relinquishing control and that they want things to be perfect. Of course this owner is in good company, we all have this feeling that ultimately holds things back.
Today on Shift Break we will be talking about how we can not just let go of the limiting beliefs preventing us from empowering others, but how we can reframe how we talk to ourselves about giving up control so our people, and out business can grow more fully into what it needs to be.
REGISTER NOW FOR THE SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES!
Build a Stronger Coffee Shop: One Step at a TimeGreat coffee shops don't happen by accident. They are built by hiring the right people, training them well, and leading them with clarity and consistency.
In this live three-part Summer Webinar Series, Chris Deferio shares the practical systems and coaching insights that have helped coffee businesses build stronger teams, healthier cultures, and more resilient operations.
Each webinar includes:
Live instruction and Q&A PDF workbook One hour of virtual consulting for each live attendee Lifetime access to the recordingRegister for the individual sessions that fit your current needs, or scroll down to save 20% when you bundle the last two in our series.
REGISTER NOW FOR THE SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES!
Sign up for 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email chris@keystothshop.com
OR... book a free call now to talk about working together
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
528 : Growing Yourself and Your Cafe Through Delegation SHIFT BREAK: The Delegation Dip 267 : The Power of Delegation SHIFT BREAK! Holding Baristas (and Yourself!) AccountableWed, 22 Jul 2026 - 08min - 1891 - 616: How to Run a Boardgame Cafe w/ Kevin Kerkhof of Hitherto Coffee and Gaming Parlour!
Boardgames and coffee! The two were meant for one another. Gathering around a table to share an experience with your friends and family is core to how community happens.
In the last decade we have seen an explosion of gaming and coffee cafes meeting a need for connection over shared dice, boards, cards and cups.
Todays guest has been a pillar in this community for over 7 years and brings an incredible depth of knowledge and skill in hospitality, leadership, and culinary to the gaming table.
We are talking with Kevin Kerkhof of Hitherto Coffee and Gaming Parlour in Greenfield, IN!
Kevin J. Kerkhof is an entrepreneur, hospitality executive, educator, and culinary professional with more than 30 years of experience in foodservice, specialty coffee, retail operations, business development, and hospitality management. Throughout his career, he has built a reputation for combining operational excellence with a passion for culinary innovation, hospitality, team development, and creating exceptional guest experiences.
Since 2019, Kevin has served as the Founder, Principal Owner, and General Manager of Hitherto Coffee & Gaming Parlour in Greenfield, Indiana. Under his leadership, Hitherto has grown into a unique community-focused destination that blends specialty coffee, food service, tabletop gaming, retail, and events.
Prior to founding Hitherto, Kevin served as the Founding Chef and General Manager of Greyhouse Coffee & Supply Co. in West Lafayette, Indiana. During his tenure, he helped shape the organization's culinary and operational vision while providing leadership and oversight for hundreds of employees throughout the years. He played a key role in concept development, menu creation, facility design, budgeting, organizational leadership, and operational growth.
Kevin earned a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Purdue University and an Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts from Johnson & Wales University.
He has worked with and supported organizations including McDonald's, Whole Foods Market, Ecolab, Tyson Foods, Purdue University, the Culinary Institute of America, and the Specialty Coffee Association.
In our conversation about his career and boardgame cafe concept we discuss:
Journey into Hospitality and Culinary Arts The Influence of Agriculture on Culinary Pursuits Transitioning to Coffee and Greyhouse Leadership Lessons from Greyhouse The Evolution and Financial Challenges Starting Hitherto Navigating the SBA Loan Process The Concept of a Board Game Cafe Creating a Unique Customer Experience Selecting Games for the Community Staffing for a Dual Concept Cafe Managing a Board Game Cafe Event planning and managing game and coffee events Advice for Aspiring Cafe OwnersREGISTER NOW FOR THE SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES!
Build a Stronger Coffee Shop: One Step at a TimeGreat coffee shops don't happen by accident. They are built by hiring the right people, training them well, and leading them with clarity and consistency.
In this live three-part Summer Webinar Series, Chris Deferio shares the practical systems and coaching insights that have helped coffee businesses build stronger teams, healthier cultures, and more resilient operations.
Each webinar includes:
Live instruction and Q&A PDF workbook One hour of virtual consulting for each live attendee Lifetime access to the recordingRegister for the individual sessions that fit your current needs, or scroll down to save 20% on the complete Summer Webinar Series.
REGISTER NOW FOR THE SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES!
of book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
609: Lessons On Running a True Community Space w/ Blew Kind of D'griot Cafe | Philadelphia, PA 230 : Making room for Community in your Shop The Power of Questions and Connecting with Community SHIFT BREAK! How to Have Healthy Communication Between your Cafe's Departments 225: Encore Founder Friday! Dorian Bolden of Beyu Caffe, Durham, NCTue, 21 Jul 2026 - 1h 01min - 1890 - SHIFT BREAK! Avoid Burnout By Serving Your Managers
We serve 2 types of customers. External and internal. The external customer is the one that comes in for a coffee and spends money and time with us as guests in the cafe. The internal customer comes in for a job and spend their energy and time helping us serve the first customer well. In this environment, managers are critical leaders in caring for both groups. Not only this, managers are under pressure to serve the big vision of the business and those who own it. No wonder management burns out as much as they do!
Today on Shift Break we will be talking about serving your managers. The servant leadership model is one that fits neatly in coffee and we will discuss how to adjust our mindsets and schedules to properaly and actually care for those who care for others. This shift makes all the difference.
I have noticed a lot of noise in the industry. The coffee shop and its owner are the targets of a crushing and never ending stream of marketing that does not care about your success, but only moving units. The uncertainty that was supposed to be solved, is made worse, and the simple desire to serve coffee professionally, gets over complicated. No wonder we burn out so often.
Today on Shift Break we will be talking about how simplicity is the best strategy for any coffee shop and is worth establishing as a central pillar of the business so you can navigate the pressured environment of entrepreneurship and build something on a stable foundation.
REGISTER NOW FOR THE SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES!
Build a Stronger Coffee Shop: One Step at a TimeGreat coffee shops don't happen by accident. They are built by hiring the right people, training them well, and leading them with clarity and consistency.
In this live three-part Summer Webinar Series, Chris Deferio shares the practical systems and coaching insights that have helped coffee businesses build stronger teams, healthier cultures, and more resilient operations.
Each webinar includes:
Live instruction and Q&A PDF workbook One hour of virtual consulting for each live attendee Lifetime access to the recordingRegister for the individual sessions that fit your current needs, or scroll down to save 20% when you bundle the last two in our series.
REGISTER NOW FOR THE SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES!
Sign up for 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email chris@keystothshop.com
OR... book a free call now to talk about working together
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
109 : Leadership Abandonment Syndrome : Lack of development in senior staff and what to do about it 475: Essential Tools for Cafe Management 419: Behaviors That Establish Excellent Management Culture Proactivity in the Owner – Manager RelationshipWed, 15 Jul 2026 - 08min - 1889 - 615: The Key to Excellent Cafes, Sales, and Wholesale Support w/ Sam Lewontin!
In the world of specialty coffee, the relationship between roaster and cafe is one of the most vital. In a healthy relationship, there is a support for the client that mirrors the hospitality and quality that the roaster hopes the cafe produces using their coffee.
There may be nobody more qualified to speak to both side of this relationship of mutual support than today guest, Sam Lewontin!
Sam is a veteran coffee professional whose nearly 30 year career has taken him from barista in many small and obscure shops, to owning and growing one of NYC best Cafes Everyman Espresso along with Sam Penix. Sam Lewontin carved out a niche for himself as one of coffee's most thoughtful, clear, and intentional operators as well as decorated barista competitors.
After a long career in barista work and cafe hospitality and ownership, Sam took the listening, communication, and service skill he honed in th shop, and applied it to the world of sales and wholesal support for Stumptown Coffee Roasters and now most recently is representing Counter Culture Coffee!
Literally every time you interact with Sam, he is not just enthused to see you, but in genuinely interested in your good. This is why we are talking with him today to learn about how we can develop our hospitality approach in like fashion, but take a page from him play book in sales to truly help our clients solve problems and thrive in their business.
We discuss:
The evolution of Sam's career from hobby to professional and the importance of continuous learning how friend and mentors shaped his world. Creating accessible and welcoming coffee experiences through thoughtful design and hospitality The role of networking, community building, and trust in growing coffee businesses Meeting customers where they are: making coffee approachable and familiar Practical tips for supporting wholesale clients with streamlined resources and support Prioritizing high leverage support tools instead of generic offerings Facilitating connections between wholesale customers, tech support, and global producers The philosophy that the core value of cafes is delivering an approachable, memorable hospitality experienceREGISTER NOW FOR THE SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES!
Build a Stronger Coffee Shop: One Step at a TimeGreat coffee shops don't happen by accident. They are built by hiring the right people, training them well, and leading them with clarity and consistency.
In this live three-part Summer Webinar Series, Chris Deferio shares the practical systems and coaching insights that have helped coffee businesses build stronger teams, healthier cultures, and more resilient operations.
Each webinar includes:
Live instruction and Q&A PDF workbook One hour of virtual consulting for each live attendee Lifetime access to the recordingRegister for the individual sessions that fit your current needs, or scroll down to save 20% on the complete Summer Webinar Series.
REGISTER NOW FOR THE SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES!
of book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
246 : Selecting a Wholesale Coffee Provider 473: A Master Class in Wholesale Coffee w/ Honor Forte of Olympia Coffee Roasters Be honest with your Wholesale Accounts 133 : 5 Keys to Successful Wholesale w/ Sarah RichmondWed, 15 Jul 2026 - 51min - 1888 - SHIFT BREAK! The Best Strategy is Simplicity
I have noticed a lot of noise in the industry. The coffee shop and its owner are the targets of a crushing and never ending stream of marketing that does not care about your success, but only moving units. The uncertainty that was supposed to be solved, is made worse, and the simple desire to serve coffee professionally, gets over complicated. No wonder we burn out so often.
Today on Shift Break we will be talking about how simplicity is the best strategy for any coffee shop and is worth establishing as a central pillar of the business so you can navigate the pressured environment of entrepreneurship and build something on a stable foundation.
REGISTER NOW FOR THE SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES!
Build a Stronger Coffee Shop: One Step at a TimeGreat coffee shops don't happen by accident. They are built by hiring the right people, training them well, and leading them with clarity and consistency.
In this live three-part Summer Webinar Series, Chris Deferio shares the practical systems and coaching insights that have helped coffee businesses build stronger teams, healthier cultures, and more resilient operations.
Each webinar includes:
Live instruction and Q&A PDF workbook One hour of virtual consulting for each live attendee Lifetime access to the recordingRegister for the individual sessions that fit your current needs, or scroll down to save 20% on the complete Summer Webinar Series.
REGISTER NOW FOR THE SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES!
Sign up for 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email chris@keystothshop.com
OR... book a free call now to talk about working together
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
421: Encore Episode: Simple, Powerful, Hospitality w/ Philip Paul Turner Keep Systems Simple! Founder Friday! w/ Amos Gillespie of Wheelhouse Coffee, Kentville, Nova Scotia, CA Menu Simplicity as Hospitality Building your Coffee Shop's Capacity from SimplicityThu, 09 Jul 2026 - 11min - 1887 - 614: 3 Areas to Prioritize for Your People's Success
A cafe's culture is built by intentionally investing in values, hiring, training, and leadership structures and behaviors. These areas are integral to any cafe's success. The issue is that for many, they tend to be rushed or even afterthoughts, leaving the people part of our coffee shops under developed and the resulting culture fragile.
In this episode we will go over the three areas we are covering in an upcoming webinar series and how each of them factor into your cafe's success.
Today we will discuss:
Values+ Hiring Onboarding + Training Leadership + ManagementREGISTER NOW FOR THE SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES!
Build a Stronger Coffee Shop: One Step at a TimeGreat coffee shops don't happen by accident. They are built by hiring the right people, training them well, and leading them with clarity and consistency.
In this live three-part Summer Webinar Series, Chris Deferio shares the practical systems and coaching insights that have helped coffee businesses build stronger teams, healthier cultures, and more resilient operations.
Each webinar includes:
Live instruction and Q&A PDF workbook One hour of virtual consulting for each live attendee Lifetime access to the recordingRegister for the individual sessions that fit your current needs, or scroll down to save 20% on the complete Summer Webinar Series.
REGISTER NOW FOR THE SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES!
of book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Tue, 07 Jul 2026 - 27min - 1886 - SHIFT BREAK! Every Manager Should Have This Trait
We are notorious in coffee for promoting people into management based only on technical skills or that they might not be quite as unreliable as others on the team. We also rush good people who need more time to develop resilience into the position and set them up for failure. In order to make good decisions, there are many traits we need to look for in a a manager, but one in particular is important enough that I feel every manager should possess at least the beginnings of it.
Today on Shift Break we will be talking about the need for a particular kind of resiliency that I have seen the best managers have. If you look for this in your team and in those who apply for roles in the shop it will set them up for success in their technical, admin, and leadership responsibilities well into the future.
Worth a note is the fact that owners are also hugely responsible for how they bring in, train, and provide standards and structures for leadership. You cannot lead based on intuition and some "it" factor. The argument here is not that management make up for and excuse the the lack of systems and structures, but that they would be and can be part of the process of helping lead others in those things and help advance them as well.
Sign up for 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email chris@keystothshop.com
OR... book a free call now to talk about working together
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
109 : Leadership Abandonment Syndrome : Lack of development in senior staff and what to do about it 419: Behaviors That Establish Excellent Management Culture 383 : How to Train a Manager Proactivity in the Owner – Manager Relationship 314 : The 6 Essential Qualities of Coffee Shop LeadersThu, 02 Jul 2026 - 09min - 1885 - 613: Challenges and Opportunities in Changing the Industry w/ Writer Sarah Charles of Underscore Communication
Today we have access to information about the world of coffee that is unprecedented. At times it can be overwhelming to consider all the areas of the coffee industry that need fixing while we also work daily to care for those we have immediately with us.
The trick is to tune into sources that convey not just the reality of the problem, but can also feature stories that showcase hope as we work to make progress.
Today we get talk with someone whose work in writing about coffee has helped countless people grapple with and take steps to address our industry's most pressing issues.
Sarah Charles is the founder of Underscore Communications, former Editor of Coffee Intelligence, and Senior Communications Officer at the International Trade Centre (ITC/WTO agency). A principal author of the ITC Coffee Guide 4th Edition, she writes for print and online publications and produces industry reports and books covering coffee trends, trade, and development.
Her work makes sense of the world's messiest systems – climate, trade, culture, food – through sharp storytelling, fresh angles, and analysis. She holds an MSc in Sustainable Development from SOAS, University of London and is a founding member of the Greek IWCA chapter.
Today we will discuss:
Sarah's start in coffee writing Romanticism vs. Reality in Coffee The Impact of Writing on the Coffee Industry Navigating Challenges and Finding Inspiration Hopeful Futures for Coffee Farmers The Power of Necessity in Innovation Community and Connection in Business Hopeful Trends from China's producing Community Knowledge as Leverage in Coffee Trade The Impact of Consolidation on Specialty Coffee Balancing Ethics and Profit in BusinessLinks:
https://www.instagram.com/unprincipledwriter/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-e-charles/
https://iwcagreece.org/
https://www.intracen.org/resources/publications/the-coffee-guide-fourth-edition
KEYS TO THE SHOP OFFERS
CONSULTING + COACHING
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email
of book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
451: Business Growth, Integrity, and Coffee Farmer Equity w/ Martin Mayorga of Mayorga Coffee 602: Renata Henderson | Cxffeeblack | Putting The Heart Back Into Coffee 560: Bio-Innovation and Securing the Future for Coffee Farmers and Their Land w/ Felipe Sardi of La Palma y El Tucan 510: Advancing Equity in Farmer-Consumer Relationships w/ Ethiopia's Beamlak Bekele! Sustainability Series #1 : The FarmTue, 30 Jun 2026 - 1h 00min - 1884 - 612: Founder Friday! w/ Yaren Maya of Cafeto Cacao in Oaxaca, Mexico!
I am so glad that I came across this jewel of a cafe in Oaxaca City, Oaxaca, Mexico. We hear often about direct trade relationships, local sourcing, excellent hospitality, and servant leadership all as aspirations of mindful operators. This place is living these aspirations as a part of the daily rhythm. Coffee and Cacao from their backyard. Signature drinks and a food menu made from ingredients direct from local farms. A deep focus on Oaxacan culture and tradition. I am so happy to welcom to the show the founder of Cafeto Cacao, Yaren Maya! Yaren Maya is the Founder and Owner of the amazing Cafeto Cacao, a specialty coffee shop in Oaxaca, Mexico. She has been working in the coffee and cacao industry for three years already and the cafe has established itself as the premier destination for thoughtful and excellent hospitality and menu items sourced from Oaxaca. A beautiful business showcasing local flavor, creativity, and kind service to neighbors and tourists alike. Yaren is also the co-creator of an Oaxacan fusion restaurant, which has been operating for five years and caters for lunches, dinners, and events. Working by the side of others professionals of the industry in Food and Beverages in Oaxaca City, Yaren continues to grow her professional skills as she creates, leads, and serves. Prior to the restaurant and Cafeto Cacao, Yaren gained professional experience and internships in Mexico and the United States in the hotel industry, basic studies of the English language in Ireland, as well as experience in coffee shops and eventual catering services in the aforementioned country. In Todays conversation we will cover:
Yaren's background in hospitality and how it shaped her approach to café ownership The importance of local ingredients like cacao, vanilla, and seasonal fruits in menu development The fusion concept: blending Oaxaca's traditional cuisine with innovative techniques Strategies for staff training on product knowledge and hospitable interactions How maintaining integrity and values in sourcing creates a loyal customer base The role of small-scale, traditional equipment like clay pots in preserving culture Tips for fostering a passionate, adaptable team that shines in a small setting Motivation and continuous learning in a competitive, evolving industryLinks:
KEYS TO THE SHOP OFFERS
CONSULTING + COACHING
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email
of book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
332: Founder Friday! w/ Iman Kusumaputra & Putri Yulandari of Kopikalyan, Jakarta, Indonesia 530: Founder Friday w/ Aisha Bullard and Modou (MAD) Diongue of Original Drip in Dakar, Senegal 289 : Founder Friday w/ Ochen Simon Eidodo of Chariots Coffees, Uganda! 256 : Founder Friday w/ Varat Vichit-Vadakan of Roots Coffee Roaster in Bangkok, ThailandWed, 24 Jun 2026 - 46min - 1883 - SHIFT BREAK! Getting The Hint From Your Customers
Sometimes we hope against hope that we can eventually win the customer over to that one flavor, those later hours of your cafe, or the new menu item that the internet said was a sure-fire winner. Whether it is our own pride or some other reason, we can hang on to things a bit too long and damage our business in the process.
Today on Shift Break we will be talking about the signals your customers are sending you regarding your coffee shops hours, menu etc and how we can get the hint, get over our stubbornness, and free ourselves to make discussions informed from the conversation we have with our community.
Sign up for 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email chris@keystothshop.com
OR... book a free call now to talk about working together
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
The Conversational Reality of Your Business : Thought on how to approach creative projects in the new year SHIFT BREAK: Embracing Problems as Blessings 227 : Connecting with Hearts and Minds SHIFT BREAK: Make Customer Feedback a Priority Feedback Culture : Making feedback a part of what you do not just something you sometimes doThu, 25 Jun 2026 - 09min - 1882 - 611: What Colin Harmon Knows About Growing Coffee Shops!
As hard as starting a coffee shop can be, growing that shop is where the real work begins. The industry is riff with examples of cafes and roasteries that have suffered and even failed as a resulting how they approach growth. The industry also has many whose businesses have grown well but we can only admire their work as outsiders to the work that was done to get there.
Enter Colin Harmon. Just like he did with his first book "What I know About Running Coffee Shops", Colin once again give us a look behind the curtain in his new book, "What I Know About Growing Coffee Shops!
Colin Harmon is a 4x Irish Barista champion and founder of the iconic cafe and roastery 3fE in Dublin, Ireland.
Under Colin's leadership 3fE has grown to 8 cafes, a massive roasting and wholesale program, and stands as an example of a what a thriving quality focused specialty coffee business looks like.
Today we get to welcome Colin back to the show 9 years after his first appearance in 2017 shortly after the release of his first book to open up the ages of his new book and share with us his hard earned lessons and perspectives on growing a coffee shop!
We Discuss:
Colin's reflection on the eight-year process to write his latest book and the importance of allowing ideas to mature Balancing hands-on work with business growth, including fixing toilets and managing staff The concept of a "stay here plan" to sustain long-term engagement in the coffee industry The realities behind scaling coffee shops and the pitfalls of growth for ego versus long-term purpose How to evaluate and choose opportunities like spin-offs, markets, consulting, and events prudently The impact of perception, staff development, and consistency across multiple locations Practical frameworks for evaluating new sites and scaling while staying true to core values The significance of transparent communication within teams and the importance of self-awareness Insights into wholesale relationships, maintaining quality, and marketing without overextending Colin's advice on avoiding burnout, overgrowth, and the importance of focusing on what worksLinks:
Keys to the Shop
CONSULTING + COACHING
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email
of book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related Episodes:
022 : Founder Friday w/ Colin Harmon of 3fe Coffee, Dublin Ireland & Author of the new book, "What I know About Running Coffee Shops" 608: The Best Behaviors for Building Resilient Cafe and Roastery w/ Tracy Allen of Brewed Behavior Consulting 283 : 5 Bad Reasons to Open a Coffee Shop 242 : A Conversation with James Hoffmann SHIFT BREAK: Are You Growing With Your Business? SHIFT BREAK! When Changing Things, Pay Attention to the Heart of the Business The Power of "No"Tue, 23 Jun 2026 - 1h 03min - 1881 - SHIFT BREAK! Are You Ready To Scale?
As time goes on, opportunities to grow your business will present themselves and you need to make a decision on whether you will say yes, no, or not yet. In order to make a good decision there are a few things you should consider.
Today on Shift Break we will be talking about six areas of your current business that need to be healthy in order to set your next venture up fopr success.
Whether it is adding services and departments to your current business or expanding to another location, this episode will challenge you to attend to the foundations before adding on.
Sign up for 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email chris@keystothshop.com
OR... book a free call now to talk about working together
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
RoR #27 : Scaling and Relationships in a Small Roastery w/ Cody Gordon, Cerberus Coffee Scaling Values 588: Prioritizing the Right Things as Your Cafe Grows 583: Unifying Teams Across Multiple Cafes SHIFT BREAK: Reassessing Growth Before you ExpandThu, 18 Jun 2026 - 13min - 1880 - 610: What People Love and Hate in a Coffee Shop |Research Results from Chicago Coffee Fest
What do customers love and hate about coffee shops? It feels like a question that is too easy to answer and as a result I believe we do not spend nearly enough time researching it.
This past weekend I spoke in Chicago at Coffee Fest. In preparation we analyzed the most positive reviews and negative reviews of the worst rated and best rated cafes on Google and Yelp in the Chicago area. The results fell in line with some assumption I had based on what I have seen from my own years in coffee and consulting. In addition though, when compiled and organized, there were a few things that I found very interesting that we all need to think deeply about.
So today we are going to be going over the list of things that people love and hate about coffee shops from this research and how this speaks to the greater issues in how we approach running our shops and the the path forward from here.
1:1 CONSULTING + COACHING!
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email
of book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related Episodes:
SHIFT BREAK! How To Keep Your Customers Excited SHIFT BREAK! Why Won't My Baristas Engage Customers The Way I Want Them To?! SHIFT BREAK! Every Customer is a Judge 480: Focus on What Your Customers Love SHIFT BREAK: Make Customer Feedback a Priority 151 : How to Respond and React to Negative Feedback : 5 Step Process 340 : Encore Episode of "10 Reasons to Love the Customer"!Tue, 16 Jun 2026 - 35min - 1879 - SHIFT BREAK! Why You Need To Cross-Train Staff
In too many cafes we find staff trained only in the areas they work in with minimal to no knowledge or understanding in other parts of the business. This derails a cafes growth and effectiveness. Staff in the front are not equipped to speak with understanding and confidence to customers and those those who work in the back or in production areas are isolated from the up-steam results of their work.
Today on Shift Break we will be talking about why cross training staff is the way forward for fostering understanding between departments, effective sales and hospitality, and a deeper bench of talent to draw from across your employees.
This is especially important for FOH staff as they are the ones representing all you offer to the customer.
Sign up for 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email chris@keystothshop.com
OR... book a free call now to talk about working together
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related Episodes:
424: Developing Menu and Hospitality Guides
Taste the Rainbow! : Menu knowledge, tasting, flavor, coffee cupping approach to your offerings
Taste the Rainbow! : Menu knowledge, tasting, flavor, coffee cupping approach to your offerings
582: Maximizing Existing Opportunities in Your Cafe
583: Unifying Teams Across Multiple Cafes
SHIFT BREAK! How to Have Healthy Communication Between your Cafe's Departments
Thu, 11 Jun 2026 - 07min - 1878 - 609: Lessons On Running a True Community Space w/ Blew Kind of D'griot Cafe | Philadelphia, PA
More than just a 3rd space, some cafes are platforms for ideas, catalysts for change, and a space specifically organized and designed to grow and nurture their communities.
Led by people with deep convictions and a vivid vision for what can be, these spaces transform and help support the community beyond the coffee.
Today we get to catch up with someone who has spend decades pouring into her community and has learned a lot of very valuable lessons to help you do the same.
Inspired by her afro-indigenous lineage, Blew kind creates transformational experiences where folks can connect deeper within themselves and each other toward their highest self. She offers moments of pause, conversation, and discovery where we can experience daily magic, while being open to heal individually and collectively. Her play involves poetry, crafting, dance, listening to stories, and community space making.
Blew kind has developed multiple cultural community organizations in Philadelphia including Franny Lou's Porch cafe, Koku-Roko Learning Co-operative, d'griot café & gallery, and rad.Love; a non-profit fiscally sponsored by the Painted Bride Arts Center to support community programming.
Grateful to be involved in the good work, Blew also supports other black, brown, and community leaders on their journey through public speaking and coaching.
We discuss:
Journey from Franny Lou's Porch to D'griot The Meaning of D'griot and Its Cultural Roots Pandemic Impact and Business Growth Overcoming Resistance and Building Resilience Wealth, Value, and Community Support Community Heart and Giving Back Balancing Personal Fulfillment and Community Service The Value of Humility and Collective Effort Community Collaboration and Unexpected OpportunitiesKEYS TO THE SHOP ALSO OFFERS
1:1 CONSULTING + COACHING!
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email
of book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
232 : Founder Friday w/ Blew Kind of Fanny Lou's Porch 380 : Founder Friday! w/ Cary and Cindy Arsaga of Arsaga's Coffee Roasters 602: Renata Henderson | Cxffeeblack | Putting The Heart Back Into Coffee 367 : Designing Your Coffee Shop for Community w/ Dr. Lisa Waxman 230 : Making room for Community in your ShopTue, 09 Jun 2026 - 51min - 1877 - SHIFT BREAK! Why It's Hard To Find Good Help These Days
We have heard this phrase before and, if we are honest, we have said it a couple times too. The statement is problematic since it assumes that the world around us is the reason we can't seem to find the help we want.
Today on Shift Break we will be talking about why it seems like we can't find good help, and the reality of how our own behaviors, lack of preparation, and well thought through systems related to hiring and leader support are the real cause behind this illusion.
Sign up for 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email chris@keystothshop.com
OR... book a free call now to talk about working together
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related Episodes:
SHIFT BREAK: Three BIG Hiring Mistakes (and how to avoid them) SHIFT BREAK! With or Without Experience? Hiring the Best Baristas Raising Your Hiring Standard Hiring for Future Leadership 301 : Hiring and Training for ExcellenceThu, 04 Jun 2026 - 09min - 1876 - 608: The Best Behaviors for Building Resilient Cafe and Roastery w/ Tracy Allen of Brewed Behavior Consulting
Our businesses are the results of the small and large decisions we make over the years. It is our behavior in the business that ultimately determines the success and Impact we can realize. Some have said that the 4th wave is ,marked by more passionate coffee balancing that passion with good business practice and strategy.
Today will be talking with someone who has been hugely influential in teaching solid and sustainable business behavior to countless coffee professionals and companies world wide.
I happy to welcome Tracy Allen to the show!
Tracy Allen founded Brewed Behavior, a global consulting and education firm dedicated to advancing the specialty coffee industry worldwide in 2008.
Through Brewed Behavior, Tracy has trained and advised hundreds of coffee professionals, roasters, café owners, and organizations across multiple continents. His consulting work focuses on elevating bean quality, optimizing operations, developing world-class training programs, and preparing teams for top-level competition.
With more than 30 years of hands-on experience, Tracy brings unmatched depth to his clients. His journey began as a passionate home roaster in the 1990s, followed by roles as Beverage Specialist at Procter & Gamble (Millstone and Folgers), Operations Manager for a Kansas City roaster, and Co-Owner of Zoka Coffee Roaster & Tea Company in Seattle. At Zoka, he helped establish the company as a leader in both quality and barista training — with its baristas consistently ranking among the top in U.S. Barista Competitions.
Today, Tracy channels this extensive expertise through Brewed Behavior to help clients worldwide achieve excellence. He is the last full-term President of the SCAA and Founding Chair of the WBC Rules & Regulations Committee. He has been a certified U.S. and World Barista Competition judge, an SCA Certified Cupper, a certified Q Grader and Instructor, and a three-time "Super Taster." Through Brewed Behavior, Tracy Allen continues to shape the future of specialty coffee on a global scale.
We Cover:
Understanding Business and Passion in Coffee The Importance of Financial Discipline Navigating Growth and Corporate Culture Consumer Behavior and Coffee Trend Best Practices for Long-Term Success Developing Financial Acumen The Importance of Financial Discipline Navigating Projections and Inventory Management Understanding Market Dynamics and Unique Value PropositionsLinks:
KEYS TO THE SHOP ALSO OFFERS
1:1 CONSULTING + COACHING!
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email
of book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
447: Understanding the Business of Coffee w/ Maxwell Colonna-Dashwood
283 : 5 Bad Reasons to Open a Coffee Shop
SHIFT BREAK! Become Immune to Fear-Based Coffee Marketing
327: Founder Friday! w/ Phuong Tran of Lava Java
489: Tips for Creating a Resilient Cafe
223 : Building a Financially Resilient Business w/ Andrew Carroll
Tue, 02 Jun 2026 - 1h 03min - 1875 - Founder Friday! w/ Amos Gillespie of Wheelhouse Coffee, Kentville, Nova Scotia, CA
The best coffee businesses are built on solid values, local community, and small consistent steps taken toward deeper connection through hospitality and excellence in the product. The story of Wheelhouse Coffee is one that demonstrates the power of intentional people-first work over time and what happens when you make growth a conversation with those your serve.
I am thrilled to get to talk with the founder of Wheelhouse Coffee in Nova Scotia, CA, Amos Gillespie!
Wheelhouse Coffee began with an eight-year-old Amos sharing morning coffee with his dad. By 17, that simple joy had grown into a coffee dream. After an espresso machine, a barista job, and a life-changing Portland coffee show, Amos launched Wheelhouse in 2018.
However, being a single owner with a small sample roaster and a full-time job became increasingly challenging.
In 2020, after a beautiful summer wedding, he and his wife set out to grow Wheelhouse together. From basement beginnings to a thriving café, their journey is driven by their love for coffee and the people they serve.
We discuss:
How Amos Was Introduced to Coffee Beginning and Building Confidence in Roasting Navigating Stagnation The Shift Towards a Coffee Business Feedback and Growth in Coffee Roasting Understanding Customer Relationships The Move To Opening a Coffee Shop Balancing Vision with Financial Realities Building Relationships with Customers Advice for Aspiring Cafe OwnersKEYS TO THE SHOP ALSO OFFERS
1:1 CONSULTING + COACHING!
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email
of book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
476: Founder Friday! The Story of Story Coffee w/ Don Niemyer of Story Coffee Co. 391 : Founder Friday! w/ Megan Wilson of Spuds Coffee in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 145: Founder Friday w/ Red Rooster Coffee Roasters co-founder, Haden Polseno-HensleyFri, 29 May 2026 - 47min - 1874 - SHIFT BREAK! You're Only as Good as Your Worst Drink
It may seem unfair, but it is the truth. Customer hold a special place in their brains for negative experiences. Don't we do the same? And when do most of these lower quality experiences tend to take place? Usually when we are the busiest and have the greatest opportunity to build a good reputation. It's diabolical!
On today's Shift Break we will be talking about why you are only as good as your worst drink, worst service encounter, worst whatever! And what we can do to rewire the part of our brains and operations that allow these moments to happen.
Related Episodes:
YouTube:
SHIFT BREAK! How to Think About Quality 533: Principles of Quality Control SHIFT BREAK: Quality Still Matters 084 : Crushing the Rush : Tips and Best Practices for Busy Times 520: Tips For Great Workflow and Bar PresenceSpotify:
SHIFT BREAK! How to Think About Quality 533: Principles of Quality Control SHIFT BREAK: Quality Still Matters 084 : Crushing the Rush : Tips and Best Practices for Busy Times 520: Tips For Great Workflow and Bar PresenceWebsite:
SHIFT BREAK! How to Think About Quality 533: Principles of Quality Control SHIFT BREAK: Quality Still Matters 084 : Crushing the Rush : Tips and Best Practices for Busy Times 520: Tips For Great Workflow and Bar PresenceThu, 28 May 2026 - 06min - 1873 - 605: What To Do When You've Been Promoted To Manager
Congratulations! You have been made the cafe manager! Now what? Well, you are now occupying one of the most critical roles in all of coffee retail. As a leader you have a lot of growth opportunities and can make a massive difference as you serve the company, the staff, and the customers. The first six months - a year is a pretty critical time where you either build trust and establish healthy outlooks and habits, or you succumb to the dysfunction and stress that management without structure and purpose falls into.
Today we are going to go over practices, mindsets, and approaches to your role and the work of management that are proven to set you and everyone else up for success vs the all too typical burn-out that seemingly is baked it to the manager role. It does not have to be! This episode shows you how.
1:1 CONSULTING + COACHING!
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email
Book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
229 : 7 Tips for New Managers 248 : The 5 Elements of Resourcing your Team 261 : The Basics of Managing Managers 226 : The Art of being Indispensable at Work w/Bruce Tulgan 179 : What you MUST Know About Employee Culture w/ Stan Slap 172 : Why Tracking Performance is a Must! 028 : Why it's Ok to be the Boss w/ Bruce Tulgan : A guide to defining and fighting the under management epidemic in your cafe so you can be the manager your staff need 018: Hiring, Culture, and the Future of your Shop 013 : Leadership & Management Master Class w/ Eva Attia : Leadership | management | hiring | career 004: Leadership in the Cafe : 10 Steps to Being a People First Leader 258 : Prioritizing your Mental Health in the New Year w/ Dr. Lara Pence 244 : Top 10 Ways to Lose EmployeesTue, 26 May 2026 - 39min - 1872 - SHIFT BREAK! Addressing "Bad Apples" On Your Staff
Nothing kills cafe culture like an a staff member who is a bad fit for their role. Often this manifests in work performance issues that are felt by customers, coworkers, and leaders alike. It brings people down.
The diabolical thing is that the most common response cafe leadership has is to simply wish it away and let it go on far too long. Meanwhile a toxic or ill fit employee continues (whether unwittingly or knowingly) to do damage to morale, service, and the reputation of the business.
Today on Shift Break we will be talking about how to approach this "Bad Apple" situation in a way that seeks the highest good for all parties involved and affords you the opportunity to develop more decisiveness and resilience in the face of these unfortunate situations.
KEYS TO THE SHOP® 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email chris@keystothshop.com
OR... book a free call now to talk about working together
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related Episodes:
Raising Your Hiring Standard 496: Hard Decisions and High Standards 125 : Confidence in Conflict w/ Kwame Christian : A framework for Compassionate CuriosityThu, 21 May 2026 - 14min - 1871 - Special! Interviews From Coffee Fest NYC 2026! w/ Rachel Apple and Ivana Chan (Raise the Bar), Jeremy Lyman (Birch Coffee), Lauren Tran (Bahn by Lauren)
Every Coffee Fest we sit down with presenters and speakers to talk about their field of expertise and learn from their experience in coffee.
This last NYC Coffee Fest we were privileged to get to chat with four dynamic professionals and discuss everything from barista education and community, social media strategy, and how to run a world class bakery and coffee bar. We start with Ivana Chan and Rachel Apple of Raise the Bar! Ivana Chan is a marketing and e-commerce consultant who has spent the last seven years helping specialty coffee brands grow by bringing their hospitality online through thoughtful digital strategy.
She is also the co-founder of Raise the Bar Coffee, a nonprofit focused on accessible coffee education, mentorship, and community-building, best known for organizing Level Up, an event where baristas connect, learn, and build sustainable careers in coffee Rachel Apple is an esteemed figure in the specialty coffee industry, with over 19 years of comprehensive experience. Her extensive resume includes pivotal roles as Quality Control for George Howell Coffee, Coffee Buyer & Global Supply Chain Manager, Roaster, Educator, & Barista in addition to being a Legacy Q Grader. She is also the only woman, globally, who is a Cup of Excellence Head Judge & SET Course Instructor.
Rachel also serves as a US Barista Championship Head Judge, Sensory Lead, and Committee Member, investing years in volunteer work and leadership in the specialty coffee community – which has recently manifested in co-founding an education focused 501(c)(3) nonprofit Raise the Bar.
Links:
https://www.instagram.com/raisethebar_coffee/
Next we get to learn about winning social media strategy from Birch Coffee's Jeremy Lyman! Jeremy Lyman is the co-founder of Birch Coffee, a New York City-based coffee company. Since its first store opened in 2009, the company has grown to become one of New York City's premiere and most loved independent coffee shop chains. With more than a dozen locations throughout the city, the focus of Birch is on customer service.
Service is something Jeremy believed was lacking in the Specialty Coffee industry and being that both he and his partner Paul are consumers first and worked in bars and restaurants for years before, they realized that this was what was necessary to stand out in the industry. In order to grow the company, Jeremy has overseen the development of not only a high level of service, but methods in which to hone and develop those skills amongst his teams.
Jeremy, Paul, and their team have also figured out creative ways to stand out. From eliminating wifi and introducing conversation starters to designing extraordinarily unique napkins, they have caught the eye of the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times and Forbes who have paid specific attention to these differentiators.
Links:
https://www.instagram.com/coffeedogguy/
https://www.instagram.com/birchcoffee/
Finally we discuss baking, pastry, and coffee excellence with Lauren Tran! Lauren Tran is the chef-owner of Bánh by Lauren in Chinatown, New York City. She blends her Seattle upbringing and love for coffee culture with a deep-rooted passion for Vietnamese flavors and desserts. After working at fine-dining icons Canlis, Momofuku Ko, and Gramercy Tavern, Lauren started selling pastries out of her apartment during the pandemic.
Bánh by Lauren was hosted for pop-ups for four years before opening a brick and mortar bakery cafe in NYC's Manhattan Chinatown in June 2024. The New York Times ranked her shop among the top 22 bakeries in the U.S., T Magazine named her bánh bò nướng as one of the 25 essential pastries to eat in NYC, and Bánh by Lauren is a 2026 James Beard Award semifinalist for Outstanding Bakery.
Links:
https://www.instagram.com/banhbylauren/
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Wed, 20 May 2026 - 56min - 1870 - 604: 5 Habits Holding You and Your Team Back
Habits we develop around work and leadership can serve to help us grow, or they can hold us back from growth. Many leaders unintentionally develop habits that feel like the right thing in the moment, but in the end actually undo progress and move things backwards in the cafe's operations, culture, and quality.
Today we are going to dive into five habits that I have seen damage and hold back businesses countless times over. These are things I have personally engaged in many times throughout my career. Our goal here is to get you to recognize these habits, and replace them with healthy and helpful ones.
We discuss:
Blaming and Complaining Rationalizing bad behavior Procrastination of decisions Glorifying chaos and dysfunction Uninformed comparisonKEYS TO THE SHOP ALSO OFFERS
1:1 CONSULTING + COACHING!
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email
of book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
Self-Awareness and Honesty It's not You, It's Me 419: Behaviors That Establish Excellent Management Culture 373 : The Owner's Role: 5 Behaviors for EffectivenessTue, 19 May 2026 - 40min - 1869 - SHIFT BREAK! Why You Will Always Be A Small Coffee Shop
Our image of who we are as a business is not necessarily the same as that of our customer. We see all the inside gears and pulleys that hide beneath the surface. We see the scope and organizational diagram of the cafe, the roastery, mobile cart, online sales, and multiple locations. We see a brand, while they see just a small coffee shop.
Today on Shift Break we will be talking about how no matter the size of our operations, the individual customer will always see and experience your company within a small framework of their cafe, their drink, their seat etc.
This serves to give us pause and to help us consider just how much we can vouch for that singular experience that thousands of individual customers have in our cafes. Are we getting lax because the size and scope of our operations make us feel an undeserved sense of confidence?
My hope is that this episode will get you thinking about that one customer and how, no matter your size, you can run like a small shop. After all, thats how the customer experiences you.
KEYS TO THE SHOP® 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email chris@keystothshop.com
OR... book a free call now
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related Episodes:
505: Maintaining Excellence in the Everyday Work of Coffee Shops w/ Maxwell Colonna-Dashwood SHIFT BREAK! Considering the Future You When Making Decisions Hiring for Future Leadership What is Professionalism? Some thoughts for the future of service SHIFT BREAK! Why Won't My Baristas Engage Customers The Way I Want Them To?! SHIFT BREAK! What Customers Value and How to Deliver It 480: Focus on What Your Customers Love 591: The Problem w/ Focusing On The Numbers vs The Guest ExperienceThank you to out sponsors!
Everything you need for back of the house operations https://rattleware.qualitybystainless.com/
The best and most revered espresso machines on the planet: www.lamarzoccousa.com
Wed, 13 May 2026 - 09min - 1868 - 603: Innovation, Progress, and your Coffee Shop: Finding the Signal in the Noise
The words "innovation" and "progress" are the favorite buzz words of our industry, but what do they mean? It is usually a lot of noise around the subject of technology, but rarely related to things that deliver lasting positive change in the cafe. The average shop owner has to wade through a sea of claims and sales pitches all making big claims about their products. In the end, they are left with less money and typically the same issues.
Well today we are going to cut through the noise of the industry and its extractive disposition toward business owners and give you a way to think about progress and innovation that simplifies, clarifies, and helps build confidence instead of nursing insecurities.
KEYS TO THE SHOP ALSO OFFERS
1:1 CONSULTING + COACHING!
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email
of book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
500! Reflections and The Role of the Coffee Shop in the Industry 485: Your Shop vs The Industry – How to Free Yourself From Dependency 181 : Organizational Self-Knowledge 558: Digital Natives and the Future of Coffee Shops w/Kosta Kallivrousis SHIFT BREAK! "What's Next in Coffee"Tue, 12 May 2026 - 27min - 1867 - SHIFT BREAK! The Mindset of Working Clean
Having a clean cafe and a clean bar is not just a surface level pursuit. The mindset it takes to keep things clean while busy is a discipline that have far reaching benefits extending to the quality of our products, depth of hospitality, and the health of our relationships behind and across the bar. Today on Shift Break we will be talking about the mindset baristas and owners need to have in order to work clean and how this focus is foundational to the building of a solid coffee shop business.
My hope is you can take this and practice entering into this mindset daily and watch as you and your team or co-workers start to become more calm, productive, effective, and fulfilled in working clean.
Related episodes on the YouTube channel:
SHIFT BREAK: Detail Oriented Staff Starts With You Lessons From "America's Best Coffee House" | Ep 581 Is That Character or Neglect? | Shift Break SeriesKEYS TO THE SHOP® 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email chris@keystothshop.com
OR... book a free call now
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related Episodes:
505: Maintaining Excellence in the Everyday Work of Coffee Shops w/ Maxwell Colonna-Dashwood SHIFT BREAK! Considering the Future You When Making Decisions Hiring for Future Leadership What is Professionalism? Some thoughts for the future of serviceThank you to out sponsors!
Everything you need for back of the house operations https://rattleware.qualitybystainless.com/
The best and most revered espresso machines on the planet: www.lamarzoccousa.com
Thu, 07 May 2026 - 14min - 1866 - 602: Renata Henderson | Cxffeeblack | Putting The Heart Back Into Coffee
The success of coffee globally is based on what coffee represents...community. A beverage that facilitates rootedness, growth, and fruiting of relationships through shared conversation over a cup in our shops or your home.
But today, we are an industry. And our concerns tend to be exclusively around just the business of specialty coffee.
Where is the heart? Today I am honored and excited to present an interview with someone who is actively and tenaciously pursuing the heart of coffee in her community by honoring coffees root and growing the fruit of what it can bring to people. We are talking with Head Roaster, Co-founder, and Chief of Staff for Cxffee Black, Renata Henderson! Renata Henderson is Memphis, Tennessee's first Black female roaster and the co-founder and Chief of Staff of Cxffeeblack, the community-oriented, education-based coffee company she built alongside her husband Bartholomew Jones. Founded in 2019 on a mission to return coffee to its African roots and build an equitable Black future, Cxffeeblack made history by creating the first entirely all-Black coffee supply chain from Ethiopia to Memphis — with direct-trade relationships extending to producers like Stephen and Margaret Kuria of Liwani Estate in Nakuru, Kenya. She serves as Head Roaster, Creative Director, and HR lead, Renata brings her deep background in curriculum, instruction, and education into every dimension of Cxffeeblack, from its Specialist-in-Training internship program to the Barista Exchange Program. Her connection to coffee is deeply ancestral — rooted in Ethiopian women's 2,000-year roasting tradition and a family legacy that includes her grandfather marching alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the 1968 Memphis sanitation workers' strike, canteen of coffee in hand. Under Renata and Bartholomew's leadership, Cxffeeblack has earned the 2023 Sprudgie Award for Best Film in Coffee, the 2024 Sprudgie Award for Global Notable Roaster of the Year, and the inaugural 2024 Coffee Coalition for Racial Equity Innovator of the Year award. Built with support from more than 500 community investors, Cxffeeblack's new flagship café and global roasting headquarters opened in December 2025 at 3386 Bowen Avenue in Memphis's Mitchell Heights neighborhood — celebrated with an East African coffee ceremony, live music, and a community brunch — and is now equipped with a new roaster tripling the company's capacity as it expands into Memphis grocery stores and new café partnerships across the city. Cxffeeblack has been featured in Vice, NPR, The Hill, and Black Enterprise, and has collaborated with Miir, Oatley, La Marzocco, NBA player JaeShawn Tate, and West African coffee entrepreneurs at the Black Star Line Festival. For Renata, coffee has always been more than a beverage — it is, as she says "an open air church to experience God and His goodness."
We discuss:
Her Grandfather's coffee and community justice that inspired her Connecting with Coffee's Origin through Cxffeeblack How Cxffeeblack Is Redefining Coffee with Heart and Justice Living Among the People They Serve in Memphis The hard part and the joyful part of coffee work from the heart Navigating Authenticity and Business Guidelines Celebrating Individuality in Coffee Spaces Personal Growth and Community ImpactLinks:
https://www.instagram.com/cxffeeblack/
KEYS TO THE SHOP ALSO OFFERS 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING!
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email
of book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
542: Founder Friday! w/ Nori and Tin Burmudez of Corridor Flow, Lomita, CA 488: Founder Friday! Honoring Coffee's Root w/ Bartholomew Jones of Cxffee Black! 230 : Making room for Community in your Shop 279 : Founder Friday! w/ Daniel Brown and Nephthaly Leonidas of Gilly Brew Bar 451: Business Growth, Integrity, and Coffee Farmer Equity w/ Martin Mayorga of Mayorga Coffee 530: Founder Friday w/ Aisha Bullard and Modou (MAD) Diongue of Original Drip in Dakar, Senegal 352: Music, Culture, and Coffee w/ Hip Hop Artist, Propaganda 139 : Founder Friday w/ Kusanya Cafe co-founder, Phil SipkaTue, 05 May 2026 - 1h 01min - 1865 - SHIFT BREAK! "What's Next in Coffee"
The more we ask this question the more we tend to steal time and consideration away from what we have of value in the present. The coffee shop and the larger industry for that matter, are obsessed with not being left behind and therefore we must constantly disquiet our minds and worry. Today on Shift Break we will be talking about the danger of letting this question be the dominant question we answer. We will talk also about a healthier approach that pursues excellence in the now as a way to secure the future for ourselves, our staff, and the industry as a whole.
KEYS TO THE SHOP® 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email chris@keystothshop.com
OR... book a free call now
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related Episodes:
505: Maintaining Excellence in the Everyday Work of Coffee Shops w/ Maxwell Colonna-Dashwood SHIFT BREAK! Considering the Future You When Making Decisions Hiring for Future Leadership What is Professionalism? Some thoughts for the future of serviceThank you to out sponsors!
Everything you need for back of the house operations https://rattleware.qualitybystainless.com/
The best and most revered espresso machines on the planet: www.lamarzoccousa.com
Thu, 30 Apr 2026 - 09min - 1864 - 601: Why Your Cafe Staff Meeting Might Be Doomed To Fail
Meetings can be a very useful part of running a cafe. The way we tend to use them though has become a real problem. In fact, rather than helping, even the most well intentioned of meetings, might actually hurt your business if it is being conducted improperly. Today we are going to be diving into why your staff meeting might be doomed to fail and what you can do to make sure that you are using meetings for the right things.
You might end up with fewer but better and more effective meetings as a result of today's episode.
KEYS TO THE SHOP ALSO OFFERS 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING!
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email
of book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
463: Tips on Having the Right Meetings Tips for Conducting Great Staff Meetings 583: Unifying Teams Across Multiple Cafes Avoid These Cafe Meeting MistakesTue, 28 Apr 2026 - 27min - 1863 - 600: Founder Friday w/ Sammy Piccolo of Prado Cafe | Vancouver, BC
The world of specialty coffee today owes a lot of its success to those who helped build movements and create opportunities in earlier years. The times where new and actually meaningful advances in coffee shops, coffee craft, and service. There were many people and businesses that were at the forefront of the 3rd wave coffee movement and we get to talk with one of those people today! On this Founder Friday we get to sit down with my friend and coffee legend, Sammy Piccolo, of Caffe Artigiano, and now owner of Prado Cafe in Vancouver Washington. Sammy Piccolo has spend nearly 3 decades in the coffee world. A 4x Canadian Barista Champion, The firs World Latte Art Champion, and 3x top 3 finisher at World Barista Championships including coming in 2nd in After Sammy's brothers Vince and Mike founded Caffe Artigiano in 1999, Sammy immediately jumped on board. Artigiano championed progressive espresso culture, popularized latte art in Canada, and innovated service styles in their massively busy shops. Many future owners and champions came from that cafe. Sammy took over Prado Cafe in 2012 and has grown it to a fleet of almost 10 shops with a decidedly more simple and minimal approach with a heavy emphasis on hospitality and in house baking. Today we get to look back to the early days and talk with Sammy about his journey, the lessons he learned, his opinions and insights into the industry and competitions, and the things he believes are at the root of success for cafe operations.
Links:
https://www.instagram.com/pradocafe/
KEYS TO THE SHOP ALSO OFFERS 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING!
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email
of book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
544: Love Coffee, Control Caffeine w/ 2013 WBC Champ Pete Licata of Caffeine Control Coffee 391 : Founder Friday! w/ Megan Wilson of Spuds Coffee in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 327: Founder Friday! w/ Phuong Tran of Lava JavaFri, 24 Apr 2026 - 55min - 1862 - SHIFT BREAK: Forget Productivity
The hustle of business creates a fear culture where operators worry about their productivity at a near constant rate. We scratch our heads over how to prevent burn-out and talk about work life balance, but what about having a balanced perspective on work?
Today on Shift Break we will be talking about how you can shift your view of productivity through clear definitions, willingness to recognize success, and the balance needed to not be constantly worried about how productive you are, but rather, if you produced something of value that you have the ability to stop and enjoy.
KEYS TO THE SHOP® 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email chris@keystothshop.com
OR... book a free call now
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related Episodes:
Sacrificing Productivity 3 Keys for Work-life Balance SHIFT BREAK: Rest and Meaningful WorkThank you to out sponsors!
Everything you need for back of the house operations https://rattleware.qualitybystainless.com/
The best and most revered espresso machines on the planet: www.lamarzoccousa.com
Thu, 23 Apr 2026 - 11min - 1861 - 599: How To Raise Your Baseline Coffee Knowledge w/ Dylan Siemens | Head of Coffee Education at Cafe Imports
Coffee education is essential for a professional to not just have knowledge needed for their current job, but to add depth, appreciation, motivation, and to prepare them for possible futures in the coffee industry beyond their role today. The next step is to find a place that can supply you with that knowledge in a way that not only delivers facts, but breeds understanding and growth.
Today we get to sit down with the Head of Coffee Education at Cafe Imports, Dylan Siemens to talk about the newly released free educational resource, ED+U!
Dylan Siemens is the Head of Education at Cafe Imports and the creator of ED+U. He began his coffee career in 2012 as a barista and then Head of Education at Onyx Coffee Lab, where he trained hundreds of baristas and competed nationally, winning the U.S. Brewers Cup in 2017. Over that decade, he gained firsthand insight into how difficult it is for small businesses to maintain high-quality training and how much young professionals benefit when knowledge is made available to them.
Dylan joined Cafe Imports in 2022 to help revitalize the company's education program. Building on Cafe Imports' extensive knowledge library, he created ED+U, a platform designed to make professional coffee education accessible to everyone. He doesn't think of himself as the source of ED+U's material, but as the collector and organizer of knowledge from countless people across the supply chain and within Cafe Imports who helped build it.
We discuss:
How coffee retail, competition training, and the transition to green coffee shaped his world view on coffee education Systemized coffee education and workflows Understanding the coffee supply chain and green buying The role of education in industry growth and retention How the baseline knowledge of coffee advances individuals, companies, and the industry as a whole The platform of ED+U and how it engages the student to encourage understanding Applying education in the real worldLinks:
KEYS TO THE SHOP ALSO OFFERS 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING!
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email
of book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
020 Joe Marrocco : Transparency, Origin Knowledge,and Your Shop : How to approach and apply coffee origin information to enhance, not detract, from the cafe experience 481 : Exploring Sensory Analysis Using "The Coffee Rose"/ Ian Fretheim, Director of Sensory Analysis at Cafe Imports You Need to Prioritize In-House Training!Tue, 21 Apr 2026 - 38min - 1860 - SHIFT BREAK! How To Keep Your Customers Excited
We talk a lot about engaging our customers and spend time, money, and effort to try to capture their attention in a crowded market. With so many things competing for their attention, what can a coffee shop do to keep their customers excited and loyal? Today on Shift Break we will be talking about ways that you can keep your customers excited and engaged without losing sleep or your identity in the process!
KEYS TO THE SHOP® 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email chris@keystothshop.com
OR... book a free call now
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related Episodes:
591: The Problem w/ Focusing On The Numbers vs The Guest Experience525: Encore: Focusing on What is Essential w/ Greg McKeown SHIFT BREAK: Focusing on the Whole, Not the PartThank you to out sponsors!
Everything you need for back of the house operations https://rattleware.qualitybystainless.com/
The best and most revered espresso machines on the planet: www.lamarzoccousa.com
Thu, 16 Apr 2026 - 13min - 1859 - 598: When To Quit
Quitting a job is a normal part of any career. Problem is that sometimes we don't know when to quit and hang on too long to ours and even the cafe's detriment. When should you as a staff member quit? What does positive quitting look like? What does recognizing and quitting a bad situation look like?
Today on the show we will talk about some of the things to look out for in a coffee shop and in setting goals for your career, that will allow you to make that sometimes necessary decision to quit and move on. We will also talk to owners about what they can do to make sure that if a staff member does quit, it is not because of negative reasons, but because of life events, opportunities, and pragmatic career decisions.
Today we discuss:
Toxic bosses and bad situations Values misfit Checking yourself first, then evaluating What normal hardship and challenges are and why you should not quit because of them. Quitting do to positive reasons and why it is a good thing What baristas can do to chose better cafes What owners can do to build better cafes and be better leadersKEYS TO THE SHOP ALSO OFFERS 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING!
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email
of book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
On "Quiet Quitting" 291 : What to do if Your Baristas Wont Listen to You 355: Baristas! 6 Essential Qualities to Get Yourself Hired 570: Myths Baristas Believe Part 1 556: Myths Coffee Shop Owners Believe Part 1 SHIFT BREAK: Managers, You Don't Need To Do It All SHIFT BREAK: Don't Give Up Hard Work is HardTue, 14 Apr 2026 - 33min - 1858 - SHIFT BREAK! Don't Waste Your Presence
Leaders have authority to make decisions, guide, delegate, affirm, coach, and grow the business and those they serve. The presence of a leader is only a benefit when that leader sees their authority as a tool for serving others and embraces a planned approach to using their presnce in the areas of the company that need it the most Today on Shift Break we will be talking about the practical ways you should be distributing your energy, attention, time, and presence in the cafe to serve the most people with the role you have been given.
Owners, this is a critical conversation to help you plan for both your own, and your management staff's presence and weekly work.
KEYS TO THE SHOP® 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email chris@keystothshop.com
OR... book a free call now
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related Episodes:
583: Unifying Teams Across Multiple Cafes 582: Maximizing Existing Opportunities in Your Cafe SHIFT BREAK! How to Have Healthy Communication Between your Cafe's Departments 520: Tips For Great Workflow and Bar Presence 4 Steps to Investing in AffirmationThank you to out sponsors!
Everything you need for back of the house operations https://rattleware.qualitybystainless.com/
The best and most revered espresso machines on the planet: www.lamarzoccousa.com
Tue, 07 Apr 2026 - 11min - 1857 - 597: John Gordon: Developing Institutional Wisdom, Efficiencies, and True Expertise in Coffee
Knowledge about coffee is one thing, but wisdom and true expertise? Well, that is quite another. While knowledge is widely and cheaply available and true wisdom and expertise that makes a business effective is only attained after living and experiencing the realities of the coffee industry over time. The difference is important because it means the difference between effective operations and solutions and just guessing. Coffee and coffee people deserve better. Today we are talking with a man who has lived enough coffee experiences for a few lifetimes and applies his hard earned insights to clients globally. I am honored to be talking with the one and only John Gordon of Silverback Coffee Solutions! John Gordon is an industry-leading coffee professional with almost three decades of experience spanning every facet of the global specialty coffee sector. He currently serves as the Director of Silverback Coffee Solutions, providing comprehensive coffee business consulting, project management, equipment design and development, roastery technical services and roaster training. A distinguished competitor and coach, John is a three-time UK Barista Champion (2010, 2011, 2013) and 2009 UK Latte Art Champion and the 2018 New Zealand Barista Champion. He has reached the finals of the World Championships multiple times ( 2009 WLAC 6th, 2011 WBC 6th, 2013 WBC 10th, 2018 WBC 6th ) and has coached highly successful competitors, including 2015 World Barista Champion Sasa Sestic and 2019 New Zealand Champion Dove Chen. Beyond the competition stage, John brings extensive technical expertise as a roaster technician and research and development specialist. His background includes serving as Production & Innovation Manager at Coca-Cola Amatil NZ and Operations Manager at Square Mile Coffee Roasters in London. He has held significant R&D consulting roles for major equipment manufacturers, including Sanremo Coffee Machines and Heylo/Carimali, where he managed engineering teams, directed 3D and mechanical design, built prototypes, and implemented Lean manufacturing principles. With a unique blend of high-level coffee experience, architectural and mechanical 3D design skills, and deep knowledge of roastery operations from green bean importing to production equipment installation, John continues to shape the future of coffee equipment and roastery workflows worldwide. Today we discuss:
How Johns Curiosity and Technical Exploration Shaped His Career Innovations in Coffee Technology over the Years The Importance of Technical Knowledge John's Take on Balancing Taste and Technology Why We Should be Building Institutional Knowledge in Coffee Understanding Roaster Maintenance and Operations Enhancing Roastery Efficiency through Lean Practices How John Uses Time and Motion Studies for Improvement John Reflects of the Future of Coffee Roasting and Industry TrendsKEYS TO THE SHOP ALSO OFFERS 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING!
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email
of book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
RoR # 22 : Master Insights on Roaster Maintenance and Care w/ Doug Graf, Vintage Coffee RoR Live! #9 : Roasting Innovation and Consistency w/ Scott Rao 478: Building Efficiencies Into Your Roastery w/ Scott Stouffer of Probat CoffeeTue, 07 Apr 2026 - 57min - 1856 - 596: 7 Reasons Why You Have High Turnover
Employee turnover in specialty coffee shops is the most talked about and difficult issue deal with, it has been for a long time. There are many causes for high turnover and sadly owners and managers frequently try to lower turnover with methods that are not effective. This is mostly because the cause specific to your shop has not yet been identified.
On today's episode we are going to explore seven different reasons why you might be experiencing high turnover and what you can do to address each of those areas.
It's important that we are very curious and pursue understanding about the root causes of issues that come up in our coffee shops because a good solution applied to the wrong problem will not prove effective. It's my hope that this episode helps you get a handle on turnover in the café and is another step toward you. building a coffee shop that Has a thriving people first culture than keeps the best people on as long as possible
We discuss:
Pay Culture Issues Clarity Progressing Leadership Normal Life Business limitationsKEYS TO THE SHOP ALSO OFFERS 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING!
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email
of book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
244 : Top 10 Ways to Lose Employees 179 : What you MUST Know About Employee Culture w/ Stan Slap 067 : 6 Truths About Power : The Responsible Approach to Power Dynamics in the Cafe Bridging the Values -Actions GapThu, 02 Apr 2026 - 39min - 1855 - SHIFT BREAK: Making Leadership A Real Process
Leadership and management are things we talk a lot about, but what does it take to actually make them a real process in the cafe? Most of what is in a job description is either unreasonable and poorly though through, or it is good but there is no real commitment from owners to see that it takes place. Today on Shift Break we will be talking about how we can we make it more than an aspiration and take action to give clarity and apply, and support others we delegate into leadership.
KEYS TO THE SHOP® 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email chris@keystothshop.com
OR... book a free call now
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related Episodes:
SHIFT BREAK! Don't Overwhelm Your Managers How Should Managers be Appraising Staff? 141 : The 27 Challenges Managers Face w/ Bruce Tulgan SHIFT BREAK! How Does Your Staff Know They Are Doing a Good Job?Thank you to out sponsors!
Everything you need for back of the house operations https://rattleware.qualitybystainless.com/
The best and most revered espresso machines on the planet: www.lamarzoccousa.com
Thu, 02 Apr 2026 - 12min - 1854 - 595: Founder Friday | Advocating for Independent coffee shops w/ Peter Dore-Smith of Kaffeine London UK
Creating an excellent cafe experience is a work of commitment and dedication to caring for both the staff and the community that you serve. The coffee shop functions as a cornerstone of a healthy social structure in any city and advocating for it needs to sometimes go beyond the operations of the shop itself but extend into action taken to change the civil environment a cafe operates in.
Today I am very pleased to welcome to the show, Co-Founder of Kaffeine in London, UK, Peter Dore-Smith
Kaffeine is an award winning coffee shop business with 2 locations in London, UK whose stated aim is to be the one of the best coffee shops in the UK through tireless attention to every detail in quality and service. Peter Dore-Smith (originally from Melbourne) has been owner operator of the Kaffeine since its founding it in 2009. It stands today as a foundational cafe in the London coffee scene being one of the first to introduce customers to Aussie style coffee.
Today with two stores, Kaffiene is focused more than ever on the constant pursuit of excellence in the details and especially on making the work of the bar and the experience customers have, something transformative and beneficial to each persons life.
Recently Peter has been active in campaigning to lower VAT in the UK as the tax rate in harming coffee shops, pubs, and other shops similar.
This is the activism born from a desire to create better conditions to sustain the great difference coffee shops make in communities.
We cover:
The Genesis of Caffeine and Coffee Culture Planning and Opening Caffeine Challenges in the Early Days Systems and Processes for Success Maintaining Quality and Brand Identity The Importance of Attention to Detail Navigating Trends and Staying Relevant Challenges Facing Small Coffee Businesses Grassroots Advocacy for Coffee Shops The Business of Coffee: Balancing Passion and ProfitLinks:
Change.Org Petition to Lower VAT
https://www.instagram.com/indycoffeeguide/
Kaffeine on IG: @kaffeinelondon
KEYS TO THE SHOP ALSO OFFERS 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING!
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email
of book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
The Power of Questions and Connecting with Community 352: Music, Culture, and Coffee w/ Hip Hop Artist, Propaganda Four Steps to Inspiring Your Staff 563: Founder Friday! w/ Jared Linzmeier of Ruby Coffee RoasterFri, 27 Mar 2026 - 54min - 1853 - SHIFT BREAK! Fixing My Face: Why Optics Matter in the Shop
I can hold an average weight business card in the furrow of my brow. Kinda proud of that. However in my career my natural resting face has inspired a lot of "interesting" assumptions.
Now, to some degree, there is a limit to what I can do, but in my work I want to make sure that what I want to communicate and display is actually clearly seen and felt. Today on Shift Break we will not just discuss my face, but we will discuss the importance of optics in the cafe and how each professional who desires to show hospitality should be open to adjusting how they present themselves in order to, like our friend Tom Henschel say on his podcast, be perceived in the work place the way we want to be perceived.
KEYS TO THE SHOP® 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email
of book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related Episodes:
SHIFT BREAK: Are You Open?SHIFT BREAK! The Trend of Backwards HospitalitySHIFT BREAK! Why The Best Hospitality Starts With The Transactional!Thu, 26 Mar 2026 - 12min - 1852 - ROR #40 w/ Chris Johnson of Purefi Coffee Roasters, Spring Texas : Roasting Excellent Coffee With Purpose
Roasting and brewing creates opportunity for mentorship and relationships that last longer than the sensory experience of the cup. Seriously pursuing technical excellence is a part of securing this opportunity and today's guest has been on a journey to bring both to the table. On this Rate of Rise we are talking with Purefi Coffee Roasters, Chris Johnson! Chris is the lead roaster and co-founder of Purefi Coffee Roasters in Spring, TX where they use the service of specialty coffee roasting to mentor the next generation and to partner with local and global initiatives that create positive change in the world. He enjoys roasting coffee and aims to excel at highlighting the quality and consistency of each coffee sourced, roasted, and brewed by his hands. We discuss: - His beginnings in coffee - How his story informs the vision and mission of Purefi - Highlighting the unique characteristics of each coffee - Why feedback from customers is crucial - Mentorship and relationship in the business - Sourcing simplicity - Having a wider variety for more customers
Related episodes:
RoR #39: Making Big Impact with Small Batch Roasting w/ Adrian Seligman Founder of Scandinavian Alps Coffee Roasters! RoR#38 : A Better Way to Think About Roasting Dark, w Erik Johnson of Thinkwell Coffee RoR #34: Roasting for Different Cultivars w/ Rob Hoos | Rob Hoos Coffee Consulting RoR #30 : Challenging Dogma With Data w/ Coffee Roaster and Chemical Engineer Mark Al-ShemmeriOur Sponsor for Rate of Rise!
Wed, 25 Mar 2026 - 48min - 1851 - 594: Encore : Don't Get Stuck: Retraining Staff on New Standards
It is easy to become stuck in the ways that you first learned to do things. Especially if those ways have brought some degree of success. We take comfort in the familiar to the degree that even if it is not working, we will protect the known dysfunction rather than embracing something new better, but not known. Not to mention the fact that we can tend to reject it because we anticipate the resistance from staff. On today's episode we are going back to a very old podcast that addresses how you can successfully retrain your staff on new standards and navigate the change gracefully.
KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS 2026!
Are you a coffee shop owner looking to join a community of other owners to help bring perspective, insight, encouragement, and accountability in a well curated setting?
Then you need to apply to join Key holder Coaching Groups!
Applications are now open for Spring 2026 Cohort:
Click below to learn more:
APPLY TO KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS
KEYS TO THE SHOP ALSO OFFERS 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING!
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email
of book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
SHIFT BREAK : Setting and meeting Standards in the Coffee Shop SHIFT BREAK! When Changing Things, Pay Attention to the Heart of the Business SHIFT BREAK! New Managers: Learning Before Changing 080 : Changing things in the Cafe : A workflow for RefinementTue, 24 Mar 2026 - 29min - 1850 - SHIFT BREAK: Cupping is Overrated
I love cupping coffee. It is a great way to assess a coffee and learn how to identify defects, attributes, and nuances that allow you to make decisions about buying coffee and how to maintain consistency in roasting. But the issue we have in a lot of coffee is that cupping, a practice designed for the above scenarios, has been miss used in the front of house customer facing world of retail.
Today on Shift Break we will be talking about cupping's place in coffee quality control and what we should be doing instead of cupping to better manage the quality of our coffee and more clearly communicate a coffee's attributes to customers.
APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN!
KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS
Are you a coffee shop owner looking to join a community of other owners to help bring perspective, insight, encouragement, and accountability in a well curated setting?
Then you need to apply to join Key holder Coaching Groups!
Applications are now open for Spring 2026 Cohort:
APPLY TO KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS
KEYS TO THE SHOP® 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email
of book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related Episodes:
SHIFT BREAK! How to Think About Quality
533: Principles of Quality Control
406 : Five Ways to Immediately Improve Your Coffee Quality
Thu, 19 Mar 2026 - 13min - 1849 - 593: Why You Should Not Manage Gen Z
The favorite past time of many an owner is to gripe about their younger Gen Z staff. Before them it was millennials. Before them it was Gen X, before them...well, you get the idea. For as long as coffee shops have hired employees, leaders have found it challenging to lead and manage a younger work force and the reason given is that there is just something about "That" generation.
Well, I have good news for you! On today's episode we will be talking about why you should not manage these Gen Z people! At least not the way you think you do. We will explore the counterproductive practice of studying cohorts of people vs the productive practice of actually managing the people you have right in front of you.
I recently gave a talk about this subject at Coffee Fest and it really hit home to many struggling to find ways to manage their staff. I hope you find this episode to be both a relief and challenging at the same time.
Related Episodes:
558: Digital Natives and the Future of Coffee Shops w/Kosta Kallivrousis 194 : Encore Episode! Leadership in the Cafe: 10 Steps to being a People First Leader | Aired January 17 2017 579: How to Really Care For People in the Cafe 588: Prioritizing the Right Things as Your Cafe Grows Growth is Not Just For The Buisiness 415: The Best Lessons On How to Listen w/ Listening Expert, Oscar TrimboliKEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS 2026!
Are you a coffee shop owner looking to join a community of other owners to help bring perspective, insight, encouragement, and accountability in a well curated setting?
Then you need to apply to join Key holder Coaching Groups!
Applications are now open for Spring 2026 Cohort:
Click below to learn more:
APPLY TO KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS
KEYS TO THE SHOP ALSO OFFERS 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING!
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email
of book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Tue, 17 Mar 2026 - 42min - 1848 - SHIFT BREAK! Become Immune to Fear-Based Coffee Marketing
"Don't get left behind!" It feels like every post trying to sell you on a product relies on fear in order to make the sale. The idea of marketing to "pain points" as they say in the biz, is not entirely wrong since we do in-fact want to provide solutions for real needs. But where things go a step too far is trying to create problems in order to sell the solution.
As a coffee shop, you have an opportunity to build your resiliency toward these tactics to make sober-minded decisions and you also have the opportun ity to apply that same steady and genuine approach to how you see and treat your staff and customers.
Today on Shift Break we will be talking about how to become grounded and intentional in a sea of marketing so you decide based on knowledge of need rather than imagined fear.
APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN!
KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS
Are you a coffee shop owner looking to join a community of other owners to help bring perspective, insight, encouragement, and accountability in a well curated setting?
Then you need to apply to join Key holder Coaching Groups!
Applications are now open for Spring 2026 Cohort:
Click below to learn more:
APPLY TO KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS
KEYS TO THE SHOP® 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email
of book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related Episodes:
SHIFT BREAK: Making Sense of Marketing Promises SHIFT BREAK: The Best Marketing Strategy 485: Your Shop vs The Industry – How to Free Yourself From DependencyThu, 12 Mar 2026 - 14min - 1847 - 592: The Criteria For The World's Best Coffee Shop
Ranking the best coffee shops in the world is a task that sounds like a neat idea! That is until you realize the sheer impossibility of such a task not to mention the cognitive dissonance required to pretend like the results of such a ranking are in any way definitive or substantive. The world of coffee shops thrives on professional pursuits related to criteria anchored in locality and the nuance of that community's values.
On today's episode we will be talking about what we can learn from the World's best rankings stated criteria for cafe judging and why we, our staff, and our customers are the only ones who can truly decide on whether or not the criteria they allegedly consider are actually being carried out in ways that objective and meaningful. I will also add a few things they do not consider that are glaringly omitted but crucial to the quality of any shop.
The listed criteria we are told is considered but not told what it means.
-Quality of coffee -Barista Expertise -Customer Service -Innovation -Ambience and atmosphere -Sustainability practices -Food and pastry quality -Consistency -Community
Left out:
Regular customer experience of the above criteria Staff experience of the shop and leadershipRelated Episodes:
485: Your Shop vs The Industry – How to Free Yourself From Dependency Your peers are not your CustomersKEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS 2026!
Are you a coffee shop owner looking to join a community of other owners to help bring perspective, insight, encouragement, and accountability in a well curated setting?
Then you need to apply to join Key holder Coaching Groups!
Applications are now open for Spring 2026 Cohort:
Click below to learn more:
APPLY TO KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS
KEYS TO THE SHOP ALSO OFFERS 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING!
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email
of book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Tue, 10 Mar 2026 - 25min - 1846 - SHIFT BREAK! Please Don't Be THAT Kind of Content Creator
Today we are surrounded by content and it is expected of every customer facing brand to strive to create a brand persona and content to reinforce your values and attract others who share those things.
The bi-product of this dearth of content is the underlying sense of anxiety, disconnect, and lack of grounding as it seems the more we produce and consume, the emptier we feel.
Today on Shift Break we will talk about the shift needed today in a sea of content if we are truly going to make meaningful progress.
APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN!
KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS
Are you a coffee shop owner looking to join a community of other owners to help bring perspective, insight, encouragement, and accountability in a well curated setting?
Then you need to apply to join Key holder Coaching Groups!
Applications are now open for Spring 2026 Cohort:
Click below to learn more:
APPLY TO KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS
KEYS TO THE SHOP® 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email
of book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related Episodes:
502: Creating Meaningful Coffee Experiences SHIFT BREAK: Rest and Meaningful Work 505: Maintaining Excellence in the Everyday Work of Coffee Shops w/ Maxwell Colonna-DashwoodMon, 02 Mar 2026 - 08min - 1845 - 591: The Problem w/ Focusing On The Numbers vs The Guest Experience
Focusing on numbers above guest experience may actually prevent you from achieving the numbers you need to sustain your business long term. Yet still people insist on creating environments in the shop that turn customers into marks to be worked for the sake to extracting as much out of them each interaction as possible so we can see average tickets rise and celebrate record days. In this case, the means to the end truly matters.
On today's episode we will be talking about how to recognize this almost reflexive and default setting cafes fall into, how to foster true service and hospitality, and why we need to focus more on the guest experience with genuine care.
KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS 2026!
Are you a coffee shop owner looking to join a community of other owners to help bring perspective, insight, encouragement, and accountability in a well curated setting?
Then you need to apply to join Key holder Coaching Groups!
Applications are now open for Spring 2026 Cohort:
Click below to learn more:
APPLY TO KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS
KEYS TO THE SHOP ALSO OFFERS 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING!
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email
of book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
SHIFT BREAK! The Difference Between Numbers and Quality Numbers in The Cafe SHIFT BREAK: When Numbers Lie SHIFT BREAK! Embracing the Meaning of Money SHIFT BREAK: Adjusting Our View of Labor CostTue, 03 Mar 2026 - 20min - 1844 - 590 : Founder Friday! w/ Patti and Jesse Ventura of Lontra Coffee | Los Angeles, California
When you build a trust through serving people with sincerity and passion, those same people support and uplift you. In the business of the coffee shop, those kinds of relationships are the life giving force that carries owners through the ups and downs of ownership. Today we get to talk to two of our industry's sweetest people whose cafe is built on this very thing.
I am so happy to welcome to the show, Patti and Jesse Ventura of Lontra Coffee!
Patti and Jesse Ventura are a husband and wife team and the founders of Lontra Coffee. What began as a shared passion for specialty coffee turned into a journey of building their own company. They have dedicated themselves to creating intentional experiences and spaces that are rooted in quality and hospitality.
After opening their first location in Downtown Los Angeles, they are now expanding and continuing to learn and grow as owners and operators. Their mission is connecting through coffee and allowing Lontra to be a space that feels like home to everyone.
KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS!
Are you a coffee shop owner looking to join a community of other owners to help bring perspective, insight, encouragement, and accountability in a well curated setting?
Then you need to apply to join Key holder Coaching Groups!
Applications are now open for Spring 2026 Cohort:
Click below to learn more:
APPLY TO KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS
KEYS TO THE SHOP ALSO OFFERS 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING!
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email
of book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
563: Founder Friday! w/ Jared Linzmeier of Ruby Coffee Roaster Founder Friday! w/ Rachel Lehman of Crema Coffee Roasters in Nashville, TN 337: Founder Friday w/ Diana Martinez of Cafe Calle, Los Angeles SPECIAL! | PART 1 Coffee Fest LA! 2024 w/ Shanita Nicholas of Sip and Sonder + Elisa Hoyos and Leo Abularach of Picaresca Barra de CafeFri, 27 Feb 2026 - 56min - 1843 - SHIFT BREAK! What We Lose When We Don't Listen
Feedback is all around us. From the customers, staff, and the business itself, we can only make great decisions for the coffee shop when we practice listening to understand. Trouble is we often avoid listening for fear of what we will hear, or because we falsely think we know what someone thinks or that their opinion cannot be helpful due to who they are or what position they hold.
Today on Shift Break we will be talking about what we stand to lose personally and professionally when we do not pursue listening as a serious part of how our business will grow.
Please take time to listen to the episodes below to dive deeper into the subject of listening!
APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN!
KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS
Are you a coffee shop owner looking to join a community of other owners to help bring perspective, insight, encouragement, and accountability in a well curated setting?
Then you need to apply to join Key holder Coaching Groups!
Applications are now open for Spring 2026 Cohort:
Click below to learn more:
APPLY TO KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS
KEYS TO THE SHOP® 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email
of book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related Episodes:
415: The Best Lessons On How to Listen w/ Listening Expert, Oscar Trimboli165 : The Art of Deep Listening w/ Oscar Trimboli 282 : How to Listen to your Customers 291 : What to do if Your Baristas Wont Listen to YouThu, 26 Feb 2026 - 11min - 1842 - 589: How Coffee Sets the Stage For Conversation w/ Actor + Director Grant Garry!
Coffee is a connector. I think we all have seen this in our personal lives, our social lives, and in the community we help facilitate through our shops. In the fast paced often stessful world of cafes and the vocation of coffee, we need to take some time, and leave some room for appreciating the real impact a simple cup can have on people.
On today's episode we will be talking all about the ways coffee does this and how we can use coffee to advance understanding, exploration, and connection with the Director of Room for Cream, Grant Garry!
Grant Garry is an award winning filmmaker, actor, singer, and Certified Grief Educator. He is the director of the documentary Meet Me Where I Am - Grant has played The Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz at Opera San Luis Obispo as Disney's Beauty and the Beast, NCIS: Los Angeles, Legally Blonde: The Musical, Black Cat, Night of the Living Deb, Sweeney Todd, and Cinderella. He hosts the podcast Where I Am on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music. A long-form discussion based show about love, loss, and finding meaning as we move forward. His recent release and project is called "Room for Cream", a series dedicated to the exploration of coffee, coffee culture, and the ways coffee facilitates connection.Related episodes:
165 : The Art of Deep Listening w/ Oscar Trimboli 415: The Best Lessons On How to Listen w/ Listening Expert, Oscar Trimboli 230 : Making room for Community in your Shop Founder Friday! Youth, Foster Care, and Human Connections Through Coffee | w/ Miah Sommer of Astute Coffee in Omaha, NE 334 : How to Approach Deescalation w/ Melissa Tucker of Mind Over Matters and Pathways to PeaceKEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS!
Are you a coffee shop owner looking to join a community of other owners to help bring perspective, insight, encouragement, and accountability in a well curated setting?
Then you need to apply to join Key holder Coaching Groups!
Applications are now open for Spring 2026 Cohort:
Click below to learn more:
APPLY TO KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS
KEYS TO THE SHOP ALSO OFFERS 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING!
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email
of book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Tue, 24 Feb 2026 - 40min - 1841 - SHIFT BREAK! Time Management to Beat Overwhelm
It's a common belief that there are not enough hours in the day to do the work that we need to get done in order to run a good coffee shop. The truth of the matter is that, more than a lack of time, this feeling is a result of poor time management. In particular, not having appropriately set and strategize priorities. Today on Shift Break, we will be exploring a few ways to think about time management that will help you reduce overwhelm and get control of your schedule and do the right things that will make a difference for you and your business.
APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN!
KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS
Are you a coffee shop owner looking to join a community of other owners to help bring perspective, insight, encouragement, and accountability in a well curated setting?
Then you need to apply to join Key holder Coaching Groups!
Applications are now open for Spring 2026 Cohort:
Click below to learn more:
APPLY TO KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS
KEYS TO THE SHOP® 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email
of book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related Episodes:
SHIFT BREAK! Time Management For Managers and Owners 549: The Power of Great Consistent Work Over Time SHIFT BREAK: Finding Time for Change in the CafeThu, 19 Feb 2026 - 12min - 1840 - 588: Prioritizing the Right Things as Your Cafe Grows
As a business grows, the relationships in it shift and and evolve. The double edged sword of success and growth in numbers, is a natural pulling away from paying attention to those relationships. IN the end, unless we fight to stay engaged and prioritize the health of our communication and care fro the people that make the cafe possible, it is only a matter of time before things start to go down hill.
On today's episode we will be discussing the need for prioritization of the right things in the cafe when you start to get busy and how to attend to them so all the facets of the business are stable and healthy from the foundation up.
I cannot stress enough how important this concept it. I regularly assess cafes and the common issue beneath most issues is this.
Related episodes:
RoR #27 : Scaling and Relationships in a Small Roastery w/ Cody Gordon, Cerberus Coffee Don't Forget Relationships Proactivity in the Owner – Manager Relationship 580: Four Cafe Leadership Mindsets to Adopt in the New Year 579: How to Really Care For People in the CafeKEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS
Are you a coffee shop owner looking to join a community of other owners to help bring perspective, insight, encouragement, and accountability in a well curated setting?
Then you need to apply to join Key holder Coaching Groups!
Applications are now open for Spring 2026 Cohort:
Click below to learn more:
APPLY TO KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS
KEYS TO THE SHOP ALSO OFFERS 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING!
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email
of book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Tue, 17 Feb 2026 - 31min - 1839 - SHIFT BREAK! Have We Made Coffee (and ourselves) Miserable?
In our pursuit of optimization, analysis, scientific rigor, and financial success, we may find ourselves wondering, "where is the life in all of this?" Could it be that in dissecting every inch of our business, we have inadvertently killed it? Today on Shift Break we will be talking about the need to remain connected to and act from the heart. Why we might feel a collective burn out and misery in what we are doing, and how, perhaps we can reclaim some joy amidst the frenzy of the shop.
APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN!
KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS
Are you a coffee shop owner looking to join a community of other owners to help bring perspective, insight, encouragement, and accountability in a well curated setting?
Then you need to apply to join Key holder Coaching Groups!
Applications are now open for Spring 2026 Cohort:
Click below to learn more:
APPLY TO KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS
KEYS TO THE SHOP ALSO OFFERS 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING!
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email
of book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related Episodes:
485: Your Shop vs The Industry – How to Free Yourself From Dependency 317 : Encore Episode: Death by Comparison 227 : Connecting with Hearts and Minds 566: The Problem With SystemsThu, 12 Feb 2026 - 14min - 1838 - 587: How To Apply Insights To Your Coffee Bar
Coffee shop insights and resources abound! We have innumerable platforms, tools, and ideas that all have a certain amount of value...if only they are adopted and applied well and consistently to your shop
On today's episode, we will be talking about the steps that owners and operators should take to go from revelation to realization when they get insights that can help their business. Too many people stop at the "aha" moment and lose the potential for lack of application. Let's fix that.
Related episodes:
330 : Establishing Systems in Your Coffee Shop 566: The Problem With SystemsSign up for the February 11th Webinar all about
PRINCIPLES FOR CAFE SUCCESS!
https://keystotheshop.com/principles-for-cafe-success/
APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN!
KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS
Are you a coffee shop owner looking to join a community of other owners to help bring perspective, insight, encouragement, and accountability in a well curated setting?
Then you need to apply to join Key holder Coaching Groups!
Applications are now open for Spring 2026 Cohort:
Click below to learn more:
APPLY TO KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS
KEYS TO THE SHOP ALSO OFFERS 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING!
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email
of book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Tue, 10 Feb 2026 - 27min - 1837 - SHIFT BREAK: Cafes, We Need To Train Harder
The experience of the customer day-in and day-out is often treated as a given. Something that is expected, but not something that is earned. We work to The real focus of our efforts should be on training and resourcing our staff to deliver a consistently excellent product, space, and hospitality experience every time. Are we truly doing that? Today on Shift Break we will be talking about how training not only needs to be harder than the work we are training for, but that training, coaching, and continued support needs to emerge as the calling card of specialty coffee or else we will continue to be known as people who talk a big game in our marketing, but miss the mark in the real world.
Sign up for the February 11th Webinar all about
PRINCIPLES FOR CAFE SUCCESS!
https://keystotheshop.com/principles-for-cafe-success/
APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN!
KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS
Are you a coffee shop owner looking to join a community of other owners to help bring perspective, insight, encouragement, and accountability in a well curated setting?
Then you need to apply to join Key holder Coaching Groups!
Applications are now open for Spring 2026 Cohort:
Click below to learn more:
APPLY TO KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS
KEYS TO THE SHOP ALSO OFFERS 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING!
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email
of book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related Episodes:
SHIFT BREAK! The Urgent Need for Training in Today's Coffee Shop SHIFT BREAK! You Need to Avoid This HUGE Training Mistake! 527: Thoughts on How to Approach Training and Onboarding You Need to Prioritize In-House Training!Thu, 05 Feb 2026 - 12min - 1836 - 586: How to Dial In Your Cafe
When we think about dialing-in, we automatically think about coffee. Changing the grind, the recipe, and other inputs and variables all to obtain an ideal outcome. Your coffee shop is not just about coffee though, and that means that other areas of the cafe need to be dialed in in order for the product of the cafe experience to be great.
On today's episode, we will be talking about the three areas of product, people, and place and how you can think about and take action to dial in each one effectively. Now is the time in our history as an industry to start truly finessing the details of what we offer in our shops so we can slowly start rebuilding the coffee bar's reputation as a great good place, a spot for consistently excellent coffee, a spot that you love serving in and love to be served in. It all starts with dialing-in.
Related episodes:
Taste the Rainbow! : Menu knowledge, tasting, flavor, coffee cupping approach to your offerings SHIFT BREAK! How Well Do You Know Your Business? 406 : Five Ways to Immediately Improve Your Coffee Quality 498: 10 Small Things to Fix in Your Coffee Shop This Week SHIFT BREAK! Is That Character or Neglect? 453 : The Craft of OperationsSign up for the February 11th Webinar all about
PRINCIPLES FOR CAFE SUCCESS!
https://keystotheshop.com/principles-for-cafe-success/
APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN!
KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS
Are you a coffee shop owner looking to join a community of other owners to help bring perspective, insight, encouragement, and accountability in a well curated setting?
Then you need to apply to join Key holder Coaching Groups!
Applications are now open for Spring 2026 Cohort:
Click below to learn more:
APPLY TO KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS
KEYS TO THE SHOP ALSO OFFERS 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING!
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email
of book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Tue, 03 Feb 2026 - 43min - 1835 - 585: Founder Friday! w/ Tara and Martyn Knight of Southsea Coffee in Portsmouth, UK!
This Founder Friday we feature a couple who has been focused on giving their community excellence and warm hospitality for 13 years! Scaling deeper not wider, Tara and Martyn Knight have steadfastly cultivated something truly beautiful in Southsea Coffee
Tara and Martyn Knight are the co-founders of Southsea Coffee in Portsmouth, UK. A community-rooted coffee shop known for speciality coffee, chef-led brunch and warm, inclusive hospitality. Over 13 years, they've focused on building a business that scales deeper, not wider with strong standards, strong people, and a place where locals genuinely feel at home.
Tara and Martyn sit down with me to recount their history from day one, to present day and all the growth, lessons, principles, and philosophy that have guided their operation of Southsea for over a decade.
It's very refreshing to find gems like Southsea Coffee and even more life giving to know that those behind it shine just as brightly as the business itself.
Related episodes:
542: Founder Friday! w/ Nori and Tin Burmudez of Corridor Flow, Lomita, CA 535: Founder Friday! 30 Years of Coffee! w/ Ana Burgos and Amanda Jones of Hyperion Espresso, Fredricksburg, VA 380 : Founder Friday! w/ Cary and Cindy Arsaga of Arsaga's Coffee RoastersSign up for the February 11th Webinar all about
PRINCIPLES FOR CAFE SUCCESS!
https://keystotheshop.com/principles-for-cafe-success/
APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN!
KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS
Are you a coffee shop owner looking to join a community of other owners to help bring perspective, insight, encouragement, and accountability in a well curated setting?
Then you need to apply to join Key holder Coaching Groups!
Applications are now open for Spring 2026 Cohort:
Click below to learn more:
APPLY TO KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS
KEYS TO THE SHOP ALSO OFFERS 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING!
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email
of book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Fri, 30 Jan 2026 - 1h 06min - 1834 - SHIFT BREAK! When Changing Things, Pay Attention to the Heart of the Business
Changing things in the cafe tends to focus on image and expression. Maybe we upgrade branding, focus our menu, change lighting, furniture etc. But what is even more important in the quest to make positive changes as your grow, it to pay attention to the heart of the operation that supports everything else.
Today on Shift Break we will be talking about how to make sure you are growing both the heart and the outward aesthetics of your shop over the years. This is a great framework for those of you who feel it is time to level up or expand but want to also maintain and even improve the integrity of the cafe.
Related episodes:
SHIFT BREAK: Reassessing Growth 492: How to be The Best Coffee Shop SHIFT BREAK: Are You Growing With Your Business?Sign up for the February 11th Webinar all about
PRINCIPLES FOR CAFE SUCCESS!
https://keystotheshop.com/principles-for-cafe-success/
APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN!
KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS
Are you a coffee shop owner looking to join a community of other owners to help bring perspective, insight, encouragement, and accountability in a well curated setting?
Then you need to apply to join Key holder Coaching Groups!
Applications are now open for Spring 2026 Cohort:
Click below to learn more:
APPLY TO KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS
KEYS TO THE SHOP ALSO OFFERS 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING!
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email
of book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Fri, 30 Jan 2026 - 10min - 1833 - 584: Refining Your Retail w/ Retail Coach Wendy Batten!
In coffee shops, we don't just sell coffee. We sell a variety of retail items that are related to, support, and go with coffee and with our brand. But are we doing as good with our retail as we can be? Are leaving money on the shelf or losing opportunities to serve our guests more with truly well considered, sourced, displayed, and sold retail? Today on the show we have retail coach Wendy Batten!
Wendy Batten is a retail coach and business strategist for independent small business owners and the host of the Creative Shop Talk podcast. With nearly 30 years of hands-on experience, she helps retailers grow profitably while designing a life they actually want. Known for grounded strategy, honest leadership, and a belief that success doesn't have to come at the cost of joy, Wendy coaches clients around the world from her tiny crooked cottage by the sea in Nova Scotia.
We discuss:
Wendy's Coffee Shop Genesis Lessons from the Coffee Shop The Emotional Toll of Entrepreneurship Designing a Business for Life Intentional Retail Strategies Understanding Customer Needs The Importance of Presentation Customer Psychology in Retail Training for Effective Retail Setting Boundaries While Being KindWendy's website:
CAFE OWNERS!
KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS ARE BACK!
Spring 2026 Applications are now open! Become a part of a small focused group of experienced coffee shop owners in this powerful mastermind cohort hosted by Keys to the Shop!
Learn more at this link:
https://keystotheshop.com/key-holder-coaching-groups/
KEYS TO THE SHOP ALSO OFFERS 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING!If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email
or book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Related episodes:
432 : How to Win in Specialty Retail Coffee Soul Searching in the New Landscape of Retail 211 : Straight Talk from the Retail Doctor, Bob Phibbs 173 : 5 Areas of Focus for Retailers The Hospitality Paradox : Preparing for the most critical & perplexing time in retailSPONOR
The world loves plant based beverages and baristas love the Barista Series!
Tue, 27 Jan 2026 - 1h 01min - 1832 - SHIFT BREAK! Embracing the Meaning of Money
There is far more going on behind the scenes of your numbers than just meeting your metrics. The money that flows in and out of the business is the life blood that represents health, trust, activity, and the growth of the whole. Trouble is we either focus on it alone, or we try not to focus on it at all. The best path is the integrated one.
Today on Shift Break we will be talking about how we can think, talk, and act around the subject of money in the cafe in a healthy way, by embracing the meaning it has and tearing down ours and other's misconceptions about it.
Related episodes:
160 : The Smart Way to Approach Money w/ Jill Schlesinger SHIFT BREAK! Why The Best Hospitality Starts With The Transactional! 576: Financial Stability Using Profit First for Coffee Businesses w/ Kim Logsdon of Caffeinate Your Cash Building Trust-CreditAPPLICATIONS ARE OPEN!
KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS
Are you a coffee shop owner looking to join a community of other owners to help bring perspective, insight, encouragement, and accountability in a well curated setting?
Then you need to apply to join Key holder Coaching Groups!
Applications are now open for Spring 2026 Cohort:
Click below to learn more:
APPLY TO KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS
KEYS TO THE SHOP ALSO OFFERS 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING!
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email
of book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Thu, 22 Jan 2026 - 10min - 1831 - 583: Unifying Teams Across Multiple Cafes
When you have multiple cafes and a distributed staff, getting everyone on the same page in the operations can be very challenging. In fact, it happens to be the number one reason why businesses with 2+ locations start to see a downturn in quality of product, culture, and guest experience. Today on the show we will be answering a question from the KTTS listening audience about how to unify teams across multiple cafes. These tips come from a lot or personal experience doing things well and not so well, in addition to the lessons learned from our guests on the show and lessons learned through KTTS consulting.
Your Standards Leadership Distribution Supporting Leadership Tracking and addressing issues with frequency and intention Communication and Accountability Meaningful all staff meetingsKEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS ARE BACK!
Spring 2026 Applications are now open! Become a part of a small focused group of experienced coffee shop owners in this powerful mastermind cohort hosted by Keys to the Shop!
Learn more at this link:
https://keystotheshop.com/key-holder-coaching-groups/
KEYS TO THE SHOP ALSO OFFERS 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING!If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email
or book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
SPONOR
The world loves plant based beverages and baristas love the Barista Series!
Related Episodes:
SHIFT BREAK! How to Have Healthy Communication Between your Cafe's Departments SHIFT BREAK! The Urgent Need for Training in Today's Coffee Shop SHIFT BREAK: Reassessing Growth Scaling Values 507: How High-Level Systems Help Your Cafe Thrive w/ Preston Lee, The 30% RuleTue, 20 Jan 2026 - 29min - 1830 - SHIFT BREAK! How to Think About Quality
Quality of the coffee, experience, service, and just about anything else in the cafe will always be something an owner and leader focuses on. These days we tend to concentrate our efforts on the acquiring of quality, instead of the creation of it. All the potential those great beans, your wonderful staff, and even our space have, is just potential until you take action and render, create, and realize that potential in the cup, in the moment, in the real life of the business.
Today on Shift Break we will be talking about some ways that we should be thinking about quality, the need for constant focus, maintaining excellence, and the dangers of the claim that quality is something we have already achieved and can move on.
Related episodes: 533: Principles of Quality Control SHIFT BREAK: Quality Still Matters 406 : Five Ways to Immediately Improve Your Coffee QualityKEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS!
Are you a coffee shop owner looking to join a community of other owners to help bring perspective, insight, encouragement, and accountability in a well curated setting?
Then you need to apply to join Key holder Coaching Groups!
Applications are now open for Spring 2026 Cohort:
Click below to learn more:
APPLY TO KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS
KEYS TO THE SHOP ALSO OFFERS 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING!
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email
of book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Wed, 14 Jan 2026 - 14min - 1829 - 582: Maximizing Existing Opportunities in Your Cafe
Making your cafe run better, improving service, increasing profitability, and leveling up quality and value for your guests naturally brings to mind a host of new and different services, products, and strategies that we believe we need to employ. But the truth is that we often only need to look deeper into the existing opportunities we have to find the solutions we seek. Today on the show we will be discussing a few areas of your shop that deserve a deeper look and more focus. Before you assume you have done all you can with what you currently have, listen to this episode and let it inspire you to maximize your existing opportunities! We will discuss:
Your Community Your Current Menu Your Drink Quality Service + Hospitality Local Business NetworksKEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS ARE BACK!
Spring 2026 Applications are now open! Become a part of a small focused group of experienced coffee shop owners in this powerful mastermind cohort hosted by Keys to the Shop!
Learn more at this link:
https://keystotheshop.com/key-holder-coaching-groups/
KEYS TO THE SHOP ALSO OFFERS 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING!If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email
or book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
SPONOR
The world loves plant based beverages and baristas love the Barista Series!
Related Episodes:
SHIFT BREAK! The New Classic Cafe: An Era of Understated Excellence 505: Maintaining Excellence in the Everyday Work of Coffee Shops w/ Maxwell Colonna-Dashwood Defining Excellence and SuccessTue, 13 Jan 2026 - 36min - 1828 - SHIFT BREAK! Maybe You Are Doing Enough For Your Baristas
It seems like the conversation we have around what can be done for staff to create more value, longevity, etc never gets around to a place where you can look at what you are doing and have done and say, you know what, that's pretty good, that is enough. Honestly it feels weird even typing it because we do want to be always maintaining and cultivating value. Today on Shift Break we will be chatting about when it is ok to look at the things you offer to your staff and say it is enough, when to pick back up the search for more value, and how not to let that natural tension drive you and your business into the ground with fear.
Related episodes: SHIFT BREAK! Engaging in the Right Conversations (or how not to accept undue guilt) SHIFT BREAK! Why Following Through is the Key to Better Coffee Shops SHIFT BREAK! Holding Baristas (and Yourself!) Accountable SHIFT BREAK! Adding Value in the Cafe SHIFT BREAK: Adjusting Our View of Labor CostCONSULTING + COACHING
If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email
of book a free call now:
https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min
Thank you to out sponsors!
Everything you need for back of the house operations https://rattleware.qualitybystainless.com/
The best and most revered espresso machines on the planet: www.lamarzoccousa.com
Thu, 08 Jan 2026 - 13min
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