In the spirit of reflection before the new year, we want to recognize a few standout Texas Coffee School Coffeepreneurs® who took their coffee shop business to the next level. These successful former students proved there are many ways to innovate — from catering to a target audience like parents with kids, to renting out coffee shop space, to hosting community events. They’ve found new ways to generate revenue while building a brand that delights customers.
In a nutshell, these successful former students are leading the way into the coffee industry of the future. We’re proud to be a driving force behind their coffee education from the get-go!
Innovating a Family-Friendly Concept With The Den
In just one year, Chandler Lipe of The Den in Denver created a family-friendly coffee shop, lounge, and rental space that others are already trying to replicate. A key pivot she made was delegating staff members as leaders for each revenue stream. She also made the customer experience more efficient, identified seasonal trends, and taught herself SEO to improve The Den’s marketing. The Den has found just the right niche for its audience and hybrid model.
Building Fast Momentum With East Dallas Middle Ground
While it takes some business owners years to secure funding and nail their business model, Tiffani Kocsis of East Dallas Middle Ground did it in mere months. By sourcing coffee and food ingredients from local vendors and pricing out the menu just right, Tiffani and her team built an East Dallas coffee shop that was so successful that they’re already thinking of launching another!
Getting Started Later in Life With Sip & Sit with ME
Who says you can’t open a coffee shop after having an entire career? Marta Alonzo of Sip & Sit with ME did just that. Marta found funding from local businesses and created a detailed business plan. Today, the San Antonio coffee shop capitalizes on a prime location right across from Mission San José, serving coffee to its 1.3 million tourists, as well as bikers and pedestrians on the World Heritage Trail.
Turning Friendship Into Entrepreneurship With River Mill Coffee Company
When Heather Veik and Rachael Barlow first met at a mutual friend’s wedding, they couldn’t have guessed that one day, they’d open a successful coffee shop in rural Nebraska together. But once the idea was born, the duo quit their teaching jobs, purchased a building, demoed it, and reopened the space as River Mill Coffee Company. Their rural community — as well as many cross-country travelers on the nearby highway — have fully embraced the coffee shop’s local art and robust menu.
Personalizing Syrups, Merch, and Batch Brew With District Coffee
Amie Danielson and Molly Windfeldt of District Coffee have mastered the art of custom syrups, a seasonal menu, and merchandise. These are just a few things that keep customers coming back for more in St. Cloud, MN. They also have space available to rent, which is a smart way to earn more revenue on an asset they already have — square footage. The duo even offers batch brewed coffee for big groups, garnering loyal customers all across town.
Building Community with Brentwood Social House
Suzanne Daniels of Brentwood Social House in Austin hosts things like zero charge events, a family room and playground, a quiet room, a free community fridge, and staff drink specials to foster a neighborly feeling among everyone who walks through the door. Suzanne’s method is a great reminder that coffee isn’t just a transaction, it’s an opportunity to know the person across the cash register. Customers who feel known and welcomed will return day after day, year after year. And they’ll bring their friends!
Mastering a Hybrid Model With Mothers House
Brieana Jones of Mothers House in Dallas has created the ultimate hybrid model — tattoos and coffee. Visitors can come in for a tattoo appointment and enjoy a specialty coffee or mocktail in Mothers House’s ambient space. Briena’s venue feels different from other tattoo shops and is more inviting to people wanting a cool, cozy experience. Plus, two streams of revenue makes excellent dual use of the vintage building.
Source: Mother’s House Instagram
Bringing Local Luxury to a Small Town With KT’z Espresso Kafe
Kate Fenter of KT’z Espresso Kafe brought a breath of fresh espresso air to a small town that only knew gas station and big chain coffee. The menu boasts homemade treats and specialty coffee drinks named after local lingo. While she used her decade of experience working in corporate coffee, Kate created a unique flavor to her small business that customers love and keep coming back for more of.
Get the Same Coffee Education in 2025 as These Successful Coffee Shop Owners
What do all these coffee shop success stories have in common? The owners all attended Texas Coffee School’s 3-Day Coffee Business Master Class: a comprehensive, hands-on approach to launching and growing your own retail coffee business. Our full-time teaching staff has combined decades of experience in the coffee industry, and they leverage their expertise to teach you the step-by-step of opening and running traditional coffee shops, coffee trucks, trailers, drive-thrus, hybrid models, and more. If you need more proof of how life-changing our class is, just check out our Google reviews.
You can get on the same track as these successful former students — or Coffeepreneuers®, as we call them — by signing up for a 3-Day Coffee Business Master Class in 2025. See you in the classroom!
