Collaborative Post
Coffee. It helps us wake up in the morning, can give us that much-needed burst of energy, and is generally a nice beverage to enjoy throughout the day. No matter how you choose to consume this drink, be it at home or at a local cafe, you’re one of the millions who follow the same routine every day.
In Britain alone, there’s said to be 95 million coffee lovers out there. As a result, there are more and more calls for coffee shops to open up and give us something different, even in spite of many being available already. If you’re looking to start your own coffee business, you need to set yourself apart from the competition. Below are a few helpful pieces of advice to keep in mind that’ll help you navigate this startup period more successfully, and to help you develop a coffee brand to remember.
You Need A Plan
As obvious as this sounds, no business can get off the ground without a solid plan in place. One way to help you compile this list is by looking at who your main competitors will be; from there, you can pinpoint who your customers will be, what type of milestones you’re aiming for, and how you will market your wares. During the planning stages, you also want to have an estimate for expenses in mind. Even if you’re comfortable with funding, you need to plan for unforeseeable issues as much as possible, just in case a problem arises.
Business Finances
It’s important to get your finances in order from the start. Whether you have enough money saved to begin this venture, or you need a business loan, it’s important that you open a separate business account. Look around for the best banks for startups. Having a separate business account is a legal requirement for limited companies. If you’re registered as a sole trader, there’s no legal requirement to keep a separate bank account, although it can help you to keep your business and personal transactions separate and makes it easier to complete your self-assessment tax return.
Build Strong Business Relationships
Having a solid business network is a great way to give your new coffee shop a boost — if you’re able to demonstrate that you’re already respected, especially so early on, you immediately instill confidence in potential customers. One way to do this is to connect with specialty roasters, experts within the industry who know coffee and what makes a special cup of it. Not only can they help educate you, but some companies can also act as your suppliers, meaning you get wholesale coffee beans and business support all in one.
Market From the Very Beginning
Marketing is a necessity of any brand, but when you’re a startup it’s even more crucial. Therefore, it’s advisable that you start your marketing campaign before you even open; get yourself on social media and start a conversation about your brand and what it’ll bring to the coffee-loving community. If you generate a lot of hype about your brand, you’ll reap the benefits come opening day. To see how to do this, and implement other useful tips, visit here.
Exterior Design is Important
Although the interior of your coffee shop needs to look good and feel inviting, that’s not the first thing your customers see when they visit: it’s the exterior. Therefore, it’s better to spend more time and money on making the outside of your shop look good so as to attract people in. Most startups are rough around the edges, to begin with, but if you get the main details right straight away, developing the other aspects of your brand style will be much easier.
Opening a small specialist coffee shop is something that has been bubbling around in my thoughts for years. One of the problems with coffee shops and cafes in small towns is that they often buy unpleasant commercial grade coffee. I try it once and never go back again.