| There is more to running a successful coffee | | | | something to keep you on target every step of |
| shop than deciding what kind of coffee you will | | | | the way. |
| serve. Don’t get me wrong, part of your job | | | | In actuality you will do well to develop two distinct |
| in running your thriving coffee shop is providing | | | | plans. The first plan will be a basic layout of what |
| your customers with an all around flavorful | | | | you want to do and what steps you plan to take |
| experience which includes the coffee, however | | | | to make you successful (some people call this an |
| there is so much more to know. I believe there | | | | action plan). This plan will keep you on track. It |
| are three essential steps to take before starting | | | | should only be a page or two that you can tape |
| your coffee shop. Let’s explore them | | | | up to your office wall that will remind you to stay |
| together. | | | | on task. |
| Step One – Do the research. Learn all you can | | | | The second plan type of plan I mentioned using a |
| about starting a coffee shop. You can do this in a | | | | software package like Business Plan Pro. You will |
| variety of different ways. My personal favorite is | | | | use this plan for specific long and short range |
| going to several other coffee shops, having a cup | | | | goals and to share with some investors and |
| of coffee and soaking in the experience. In doing | | | | bankers. Keep in mind that this is a plan that you |
| this, watch the dynamics of both the social and | | | | are going to share with investors so try to keep |
| business environment. Observe how the business | | | | it positive and realistic. Some people actually |
| treats their customers, what menu items they | | | | develop a third document that they will give to |
| sell, what kind of equipment they carry and so on. | | | | their investors or bankers that will be a summary |
| Some people even choose to get a job at an | | | | page with their mission statement and a quick |
| existing coffee shop before starting their own. | | | | over view of their business plan. If you decide to |
| The more obvious means of research you can do | | | | go this route, give them the short documents on |
| is reading. You can learn a lot from the materials | | | | top of the more advanced document. |
| out there. There are a lot of resources to choose | | | | Step Three – Get Legal. You will save a lot of |
| from. When choosing what to read I recommend | | | | time later on by getting all of your legal affairs |
| that you purchase books specifically on coffee | | | | taken care of now. First, you will need to register |
| shops, not re-released restaurant startup up | | | | your name with the state, get sales tax licenses, |
| books. The differences between the two are | | | | and possibly set up a corporation. This can be a |
| crucial. I recommend this book.You can also do a | | | | daunting task. When I first opened up my |
| lot of good research on the internet. Library | | | | business, I tried to do it myself. I hate spending |
| research can be sketchy. If you do do research | | | | extra money. In the end I paid someone to |
| at the library make sure you checkout current | | | | handle the initial forms for me. After the first time |
| books. There is a difference in business dynamics | | | | I used the service I no longer needed to go back |
| between current and older coffee shops. | | | | to them because it is pretty simple to keep up |
| Step Two – Put together an effective | | | | with those forms after once you are familiar with |
| business plan. Notice that I use the word | | | | the process. You can spend a lot of money on a |
| "effective"; developing a plan that covers every | | | | Lawyer or a CPA, but you could just use a good |
| aspect of your business will save you a lot of | | | | online service to get things set up instead. In the |
| money and heartache in the future. There are | | | | process don’t just give someone on the |
| two aspects towards putting that business plan | | | | internet all of your personal info. Instead, I |
| together. The first thing to do is search for | | | | recommend doing research and using a company |
| coffee shop business plans on the web, and in | | | | like Make sure that you Google the website first |
| books in either your library or purchasing books at | | | | to see if they have any complaints against them |
| a place like While looking at coffee shop business | | | | or check sources like the BBB. |
| plans try to poke through to find out what made | | | | Even though you may not use a lawyer or CPA |
| them successful or unsuccessful. Their success, or | | | | to help set up your business forms, it is still a |
| lack thereof can do a lot to help you plan to | | | | good idea to acquaint yourself with a good CPA |
| make yours a success. | | | | and Lawyer for tax preparations and potential |
| Secondly, I would recommend using a software | | | | legal issues that may come up. |
| package like Business Plan Pro. Software | | | | Develop a disaster prevention plan. This would be |
| packages like business plan pro will ask specific | | | | something like a short what if / action plan. Ask |
| questions relevant to starting your business. Each | | | | yourself what could go wrong and how could I |
| question asked will help you develop in your mind | | | | possibly get sued, and then develop strategies to |
| what your coffee shop will look like and how it will | | | | prevent those things. You will also need to get |
| operate. When finished the business plan software | | | | insurance at this step too. Remember the "Hot |
| will have given you a professional business plan | | | | Coffee Lawsuit" a few years back? There are |
| you can bring to your bank and give you | | | | definite lessons to learn from that. |