So what do you do? You are running an independent business, one which your family relies on to make ends meet, one on which your employees rely on to provide them with a wage and a good place to work. You are very proud of your products, your company, your branding and your staff and […]
Can I Bring My Own? – An Explanation Read More »
When I was planning Kaffeine, one of the tantalising things about it was the fact that I would be able to play the music that I like and thought would be perfect. Music that made me smile, made me happy, kept me going, motivated me, or brought back memories. I grew up in the 80’s
Thank you for the Music – An Explanation Read More »
There was conversation and in fact a poll last week, organised by Colin Harmon who is the owner of 3FE espresso in Dublin and who was the Irish barista champion and 4th in the world in both 2009 and 2010, about coffee in restaurants. The topic was about how often the coffee in many restaurant
Restaurant Coffee – An Explanation Read More »
If you want to own a coffee shop you will be thinking about this all the time, or perhaps you frequent one often and find yourself asking this question because you see how ‘busy’ it is, or maybe you already own a cafe and you know this answer about yourself, but not about others. When
How many coffees do you make per day? – An Explanation Read More »
I recently received an email from a young man who resides in Malaysia, looking for employment here in London. He works in the coffee industry and is very, very passionate about it all, his dream is one day to be a world class barista. Unfortunately, in order to get a visa to work in the
Making Someone’s Day – An Explanation Read More »
So it was that on Thursday of last week, I was fortunate enough to be invited to an ‘all Aussie bash’ at Buckingham Palace, held by the Queen, before she goes off to Australia on business later this month. I came to work in the morning, then went for a thermal Spa and massage at
Her Majesty The Queen – A Great Story Read More »
About a month ago, I received in the post a very nice envelope with my name and address written in fountain pen on the front with a big red stamp ER at the top. I opened it very carefully, to find inside an invitation to Buckingham palace for a cocktail party! Her Majesty the Queen
Buckingham Palace – I’ve been invited Read More »
In planning for Kaffeine, we talked for a long while amongst ourselves and also with very respected and knowledgeable people from the industry about loyalty cards and whether we would introduce them. Ultimately, as some people may be aware, we decided not to. A number of people we spoke to felt they were a nuisance
Loyalty Cards, Discount Cards, Rewards Cards – An Explanation Read More »
In the planning for Kaffeine, I came across a book called ‘Wake up and smell the Profit, 52 ways to maximise profit in your cafe business’, by Hugh Gilmartin and Johnnie Richardson. In that book, one of the things they listed was the importance of the five human senses. Taste, feel, sight, sound and hearing
The Five Senses – An Explanation Read More »
In the planning and research for this business, it never occurred to me exactly how much a part of the local community a cafe such as Kaffeine can be. I am really proud to be able to walk down the street and say hello to so many people who are our customers. I am also
Community and Independent Coffee Shops – An Explanation Read More »
