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Business Building Essentials

Business Building Essentials

Learn from Experts.
Strengthen Your Strategy.
Grow Your Coffee Business.

Whether you’re launching a new café, scaling an existing business, or looking to fine-tune your operations, Business Building Essentials sessions provide the insights you need to succeed.

Led by industry veterans, these practical, information-packed sessions cover everything from financial planning to marketing strategies - giving you real-world tools you can apply immediately.
 

What to Expect

Expert-Led Sessions – Learn from coffee business professionals and industry leaders.

Actionable Insights – Get strategies you can implement right away to strengthen your business.

Diverse Topics – Covering financial management, hiring, marketing, customer retention, and more.

Q&A Opportunities – Ask questions and get advice tailored to your challenges.

Plan Your Participation

New discussion topics every hour - no registration required.

Check the schedule to find the topics most relevant to you.

Arrive a few minutes early to grab a seat and settle in.

Take notes & ask questions - walk away with actionable steps to improve your coffee business.

Find the Right Topics for You

Financial & Cost Management – Pricing, profit margins, and controlling expenses.

Marketing & Branding – Social media, customer engagement, and local outreach strategies.

Hiring & Team Development – Recruiting, training, and retaining top talent.

Operations & Customer Experience – Streamlining workflow, increasing efficiency, and building loyalty.

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June 13, 2025
    • Business Operations
    Pricing and Menu Strategies
    Business Building Essentials
    Wondering how to set & adjust your prices or arrange your menu? Mark Calhoun and Jim Starcev of PerfectCube discuss optimal ways to determine your prices, increase your prices and make your menu work ...
    Jim Starcev
    Jim Starcev, Co-Founder - PerfectCube
    Mark Calhoun
    Mark Calhoun, Unpaid data intern - PerfectCube
    • Business Operations
    Mid-Morning Menus and Beyond (Growth Opportunities to Maximize Profit)
    Business Building Essentials
    Maximizing profit with drink categories such as energy, cold brew, nitro, bubble tea, and plant-based. Who's using these segments? Why are they using them? And how do you motivate them? This is a free ...
    Torani Flavor For All. Opportunity For All.
    Torani Flavor For All. Opportunity For All.
    • Business Operations
    Cost of Goods (COGs)
    Business Building Essentials
    Ready to brew up some profits? In this seminar, we’ll guide you through the ins and outs of managing your cost of goods, so you can keep your prices competitive while maximizing your margins. Join us ...
    Dillanos / Barista 22
    Dillanos / Barista 22
    • Business Operations
    Specialty Coffee Success No Matter the Size of Your City
    Business Building Essentials
    Whether your shop is in a small town, suburb or major metropolitian area, come to Specialty Coffee Success No Matter the Size of Your City at the Conversation Corner to get some tips, expert advice, a ...
    Barista Magazine
    Barista Magazine
    Kenneth Olson
    Kenneth Olson, Publisher - Barista Magazine
    • Business Operations
    Social Media for Coffeeshops
    Business Building Essentials
    How do you reach your customer base? Instagram? Tiktok? Carrier pigeon? Getting information out to folks can be FUN, CREATIVE, and an incredibly useful tool that doesn't have to be stressful. Learn wa ...
    Ian Williams
    Ian Williams, Founder / Owner / Hypebarista - Deadstock Coffee
    • Business Operations
    How to Hire, Keep, and Care for Your Employees
    Business Building Essentials
    As coffee professionals, we obsess over the drink we love. Its history, nuances, and culture are all part of why we are passionate and driven to tend to the details so it can reach its full potential ...
    Chris Deferio
    Chris Deferio, Founder - Keys to the Shop Consulting
    • Business Operations
    Customer Service 101
    Business Building Essentials
    Great coffee gets them in the door, but an amazing experience keeps them coming back! In this seminar, we’ll help you level up your customer service to turn casual customers into loyal fans. Join us a ...
    Dillanos / Barista 22
    Dillanos / Barista 22
    • Business Operations
    From Competition to Collaboration: Growing Your Coffee Business Through Partnerships
    Business Building Essentials
    Success in the coffee industry isn’t just about competing - it’s about building connections. This panel discussion explores how collaboration, even with competitors, can create stronger businesses, be ...
    David Gaines
    David Gaines, CEO - La Terza Coffee
June 14, 2025
    • Business Operations
    HR 101 for Coffee Businesses
    Business Building Essentials
    Human Resources may very well be the most lacking component of the vast majority of retail coffee operations. Without strong people policies, coffee shop owners are subject to unengaged employees, low ...
    Eric J. Grimm
    Eric J. Grimm, Founder - The Coffee Human Resource
    • Business Operations
    Protecting Your A**ets: Assessing and Managing Risk
    Business Building Essentials
    Is insurance a source of stress or confusion for you? You're not alone, but it doesn’t have to be complicated! In this session, we’ll demystify the basics of risk management and show you practical way ...
    Bryce Mead
    Bryce Mead, Founder | Head Roaster (also a Senior Underwriter for a large E&S Casualty Insurer) - small beanz coffee co.
    • Business Operations
    How to Franchise Your Coffee Business
    Business Building Essentials
    Unlock the potential of your coffee shop by exploring the dynamic world of franchising in this comprehensive lecture designed specifically for coffee shop owners. Discover the power of franchising as ...
    Andy Klie
    Andy Klie - Franchise Development Group
    • Business Operations
    Cost of Goods (COGs)
    Business Building Essentials
    Ready to brew up some profits? In this seminar, we’ll guide you through the ins and outs of managing your cost of goods, so you can keep your prices competitive while maximizing your margins. Join us ...
    Dillanos / Barista 22
    Dillanos / Barista 22
    • Business Operations
    Customer Service 101
    Business Building Essentials
    Great coffee gets them in the door, but an amazing experience keeps them coming back! In this seminar, we’ll help you level up your customer service to turn casual customers into loyal fans. Join us a ...
    Dillanos / Barista 22
    Dillanos / Barista 22
    • Business Operations
    Negotiating Coffee Shop Leases
    Business Building Essentials
    Learn the 13 costly mistakes coffee shop tenants make negotiating their first lease or renewal.  How to negotiate for the maximum free rent period, tenant allowance, lower rent, and no deposit or pers ...
    Dale Willerton
    Dale Willerton, Lease Consultant - The Lease Coach
    • Business Operations
    The Mobile Coffee Guide
    Business Building Essentials
    In this session, we will dive into the essential steps for launching and running a successful mobile coffee business. From developing a solid business plan to selecting the right equipment, we’ll cove ...
    Eric Rowell
    Eric Rowell, Founder - Grit + Grind Coffee
    Destiny Rowell
    Destiny Rowell, Founder - Grit + Grind Coffee
    Grit and Grind Coffee
    Grit and Grind Coffee
    • Business Operations
    After the Fest! 10 Best Practices to Make Your Coffee Fest Attendance Worthwhile
    Business Building Essentials
    If you've come to Coffee Fest because you're looking to get into the business or really dig into how to open a coffee shop all your own, this is an essential class. Knowing what steps to take can seem ...
    Jeremy Lyman
    Jeremy Lyman, Co-Founder/Owner - Birch Coffee

 

Position your brand in front of coffee business owners and decision-makers.

Business Building Essentials sessions attract café owners, managers, and entrepreneurs looking for solutions to grow and improve their operations.
Contact us to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.

LEARN MORE HERE

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