The Pathways To Success Podcast (EP 163): Tom Vincent, Founder of Texas Coffee School

Window Seat Coffee: Dallas’s Travel-Inspired Coffee Sanctuary

Imagine stepping into a coffee shop where every detail is designed to evoke the thrill of travel. There are airplane-inspired windows, travel-themed menu items, and a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere. Welcome…

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Ways to Increase Sales at Your Coffee Shop: Proven Strategies

Most coffee shop owners are so busy working in their business, they struggle to find time to work on it. You handle inventory. You cover shifts. You double as the…

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Can Your Local Market Support a Coffee Shop? Try Competitor Analysis

Explore how to assess demand, competition, and what could make your shop stand out with competitor analysis. Thinking about opening a coffee shop, truck, or mobile cart? An important first…

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Summer Drink Trends & Smart Mobile Coffee Cart Business Tips

Summer Drink Trends & Smart Logistics for a Profitable Mobile Coffee Cart Business Summer changes everything for mobile coffee cart business operators. When temperatures soar, customers abandon hot drinks for…

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Coffee Trucks, Carts, and Catering: An Entry Investment in Coffee

Most students who come through our doors have a vision—of roasting beans, curating menus, and managing baristas for the popular brick-and-mortar coffee shop they launched, starting in our classroom. Maybe…

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Inspira Coffee: A Coffee Truck as a Test Run for a Coffee Shop

Justin and Corinna Valdez both possessed an entrepreneurial spirit, but it took the right idea to bring it to life. “We always wanted to own a coffee shop, but it…

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From Family Recipe to Business Success: How Gerardo Mazariegos Built Sno King from the Ground Up

A Sweet Idea Born from Tradition When Gerardo Mazariegos launched Sno King, a mobile sno cone stand in Odessa, Texas, he wasn’t just starting a business—he was preserving a piece…

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Inspired by a Coffeepreneur®, This Coffee Cart Was Born

When Zack Lane and his wife, Alexis, first visited De Ra Coffee, Zack hadn’t had coffee in years. But Alexis wanted to try out the cafe, so he decided to…

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Kid-Friendly Coffee Shop Concepts

One of the secrets to making sales as a small business is knowing your target audience. Your target audience affects your coffee shop layout, marketing plan, and trends you participate…

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How These Coffeepreneurs® Found Work-Life Balance at Bagelology

When Ameira Olayan and Fadia Anani decided to open a coffee shop together, they set out to create something different. Bagelology is the brainchild of two friends who wanted to run…

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Managing People, Processes, and Profitability at Your Coffee Shop

Many of us who manage coffee shop operations are familiar with the frustrating loop that comes with working in the business rather than on the business. It’s like the movie…

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These 4 Things Made Country Charm Coffee a 4-Award Nominee

Running a successful coffee shop brings intrinsic rewards—like pride in your product, satisfaction of building something from scratch, and fulfillment of a lifelong dream. But it doesn’t hurt when other…

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Serving Both Tourists and Locals: Three Branches Cafe & Bakery

Vermont tourists and locals alike are knocking down the door for a taste of Three Branches Cafe & Bakery. The charming coffee shop is set in a historic building in…

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Can You Start a Coffee Business on the Side?

Jumping into a brick-and-mortar coffee shop business can feel like diving headfirst into a swimming pool. Even though that leap can come with incredible reward and satisfaction, it also takes…

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Create a Coffee Shop Marketing Plan for the Year

Have you ever heard of the 4 P’s of marketing? Popularized in the 1950s by a Harvard professor, the 4 P’s outline the most important parts of a business’s marketing…

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2024 Wrapped: Texas Coffee School Successful Former Students

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.…

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The Den: Growth and Reflection after a Year in Business

Chandler Lipe, Texas Coffee School Coffeepreneur® and owner of The Den, is making waves in Denver. We wrote about the launch of her family-friendly coffee shop and gathering space one…

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2024 Coffee Holiday Gift Ideas From the Texas Coffee School Team

With these coffee holiday gift ideas, you’ll be every coffee lover’s favorite person at the holiday function this year. Check out these holiday gifts for coffee lovers, kiddos, and your…

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From Ground Zero to Open Doors in Under a Year at East Dallas Middle Ground

Tiffani Kocsis, owner of East Dallas Middle Ground and Texas Coffee School Coffepreneur®, is no stranger to the coffee shop world. She says she grew up studying, spending time with…

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6 Coffee Shop KPIs to Start Tracking Today

Imagine you set out to run 10 miles but didn’t track your distance along the way. How would you know when you reached your goal? Your intuition, or how out…

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This Coffeepreneur® Says It’s Not Too Late to Start a Successful Coffee Business

Marta Alonzo, Texas Coffee School former student and owner of Sit & Sip with ME, has been working for someone else since 1986. That is, until she opened her own…

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8 Things to Know about Coffee Trends in 2024 and Beyond

At Texas Coffee School, we’re committed to staying up to speed on the latest industry trends, including coffee trends in 2024. Our 3-Day Coffee Business Master Class offers training systems…

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River Mill Coffee Co: How Two Teachers Brought Coffee to Rural Nebraska

When Heather and Rachael, two teachers from small-town Nebraska, decided to open their own coffee shop, they knew it would be a risk. But a magazine article, a song at…

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How to Create a Coffee Shop Menu

Your coffee shop menu is part of your coffee shop’s ambience as much as the name, location, or decor. And just as important, the menu is where you earn a…

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Design a Cozy Coffee Shop

There’s nothing quite like sitting at a coffee shop with friends, a good book, music or your laptop alongside a warm (or trendy iced) cup of coffee. But if you…

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7 Tips for a Positive Work Culture at Your Coffee Shop

Work culture at your coffee shop is more than just “good vibes”—it improves employee retention, affects customer interactions and can even help your coffee shop make more money. Happy employees…

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Creative Iced Tea Drinks to Beat the Heat This Summer

People’s love for coffee is a tale as old as time. But what if customers are trying to reduce their caffeine intake? What if it’s hot outside? What if they…

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Death Before Decaf? – Why Customers Are Reconsidering Decaf Coffee

A new behavioral trend is emerging as customers are reconsidering decaf coffee, driven by health concerns and a desire to moderate caffeine intake. Many are seeking alternatives that offer the…

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Opening a Mobile Coffee Cart Business

There are many benefits to opening a mobile coffee cart. First, a cart can be a low-risk entry point for aspiring Coffeepreneurs®. It’s a way to test your business concept–a…

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5 Things District Coffee Is Doing Right

District Coffee in St. Cloud, MN, has only been open for nine months, but they’re doing many things right. It helps that the coffee shop was launched by Texas Coffee…

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Building Real Community

As Texas Coffee School we celebrates its 14th year, it’s great to see some of our early students still thriving. Brentwood Social House, founded by Suzanne Daniels in 2016, has…

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Local Marketing Strategies for Coffee Shops

When it comes to marketing, having an effective strategy can make or break your coffee shop. Even with the best coffee or most creative menu items, your coffee business can’t…

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Why You Need to Add a Coffee Shop to Your Salon

The beauty industry is on the rise, according to the State of Fashion report by McKinsey & Company. Of the four main beauty categories, hair care and skin care are…

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Get Inked and Caffeinated at Mothers House

At Texas Coffee School, we talk and teach often about how a coffee shop hybrid model can add revenue to your business. Mothers House, located in the Oak Lawn neighborhood…

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How Your Target Audience Might Affect Your Coffee Shop Layout

Designing Your Coffee Shop Layout The layout of your coffee shop is integral to the identity of your space. It determines the flow of customer traffic, how the space can…

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Tips For Starting A Successful Coffee Shop Business

Starting any business can feel like a monumental task. We want to feel assured that it’ll all be worth it and that the business will be successful! While this isn’t…

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A Coffee Shop Can Add Revenue to Your Business

Small businesses are a vital part of the American economy. In fact, 99.9% of all U.S. businesses are considered small businesses, according to Forbes. Small businesses also employ nearly half…

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Celebrating Women’s History Month With These Women in Coffee

As Women’s History Month comes to a close, we’re celebrating by highlighting a few of our former students. These women in coffee impress us all year long! More women are…

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How to Make Strategic Business Decisions for Your Coffee Shop

In the process of opening your coffee shop, you’ll face hundreds of business decisions. You may have already thought about some of the major decisions that will form your coffee…

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Tips for Choosing Contractors to Build Out Your Coffee Shop

Many of us have heard contractor and buildout horror stories told by people who started a small restaurant or coffee shop business. There are often unexpected setbacks, major unforeseen expenses,…

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KT’z Espresso Kafe Serves Specialty Coffee in Small-Town TX

In some small towns, the only options for coffee might be a chain and a local gas station. But Kate Fenter dreamed of something better for her town of Emory,…

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Career change? These skills help you become a coffee shop owner

We meet Coffeepreneurs® with all kinds of backgrounds. Very few, it turns out, have spent their entire careers in specialty coffee. We’ve worked with teachers, nurses, veterans, artists, attorneys, and…

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Custom, Convenient, Fun, Cold: 2024 Coffee Shop Trends

As we kick off a new year, we’re forecasting consumer trends that are shaping the future for coffee shops. As Gen Z becomes a bigger market influence, the shape of…

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Roaming Grounds Serves Rural Towns in a Mobile Coffee Truck

When you live in a big city with a coffee shop on every block, it’s easy to take your morning iced coffee for granted. But rural residents don’t always have…

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Noteworthy Coffee Shop Market Trends for Small Business Owners

If you’re researching coffee shop market trends, then you’re already on the right track to starting or scaling your coffee shop business. Knowing the industry is key to building your…

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Saving Time and Money When You Start a Coffee Shop

All the quotes below are real reviews from Texas Coffee School former students who’ve gone on to start a coffee shop or help shape the coffee industry in some way:…

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2023 Holiday Gift Guide For Serious Coffee Nerds

2023 Coffee Gift Guide The holiday season is upon us once again, and with it comes the pressure to get the perfect gifts for the serious “coffee nerds” in your…

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10 Years, 14 Locations, and Beyond with Waterbean Coffee

In honor of its 10th anniversary, we’re highlighting Waterbean Coffee—another Texas Coffee School Coffeepreneur® all-star. With 14 locations and its own roastery, Waterbean is a great example of how vertically…

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How to Take Your Coffee Shop to the Next Level

Is It Time to Level Up Your Coffee Shop? Coffee shop ownership can be an exciting yet arduous journey. And sometimes, you might find yourself itching for growth or needing…

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Kreative Grounds Cafe Is a Mother-Daughter Dream Come True

Kreative Grounds Cafe is a place to grab a coffee and tasty treat while enjoying local art in McAllen, Texas. It’s also the long-awaited dream come true of Kris Karr…

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How to Get Ready for Fall at Your Coffee Shop

The autumn equinox is upon us, and what better way to celebrate than bringing fall to your coffee shop? Warm coffee and cooler weather will have locals and visitors begging…

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Are More Women Opening Coffee Shops?

We’re spilling the beans—women opening coffee shops is on the rise. Texas Coffee School is welcoming more women into our classroom than ever before. Plus, entrepreneurship as a whole has…

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Coffee Shop Layout and Design Tips for 2023 and Beyond

Take a moment to consider some of your most memorable coffee shop experiences. Maybe the not-so-great ones come to mind first—like that time you waited in line for 30 minutes…

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How to Scale Your Coffee Shop Business with Beanstalk Coffee & Sno

For many entrepreneurs, the dream doesn’t end at one coffee shop. And why should it? When your business concept is a success, the sky’s the limit on how big your…

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Starting a Mobile Coffee Business with Lady Sunshine Coffee

At Texas Coffee School, our students open all kinds of coffee shops in all kinds of places. But some of them, like Elizabeth Estabrook, open coffee shops that can go…

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7 Things Students Say About Our Coffee Shop Business Class

If you’re going to invest in a coffee shop business class, it’s a good idea to see what former students have to say about their experience. Many barista training programs…

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The Den: Bringing a Family-Friendly Coffee Shop to Denver

The Den social lounge & coffee shop in Denver, CO, is more than just a place to grab a cup of coffee. It’s a haven for parents seeking connection, support,…

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Serving Cold Brew Coffee in Your Coffee Shop

What to Know About Cold Brew Coffee This Summer Cold brew coffee is trending in 2023, and the menu item seems like it’s here to stay. The National Coffee Association…

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De Ra Coffee: Serving Drinks That Feel Like Home

For Bassam Khalaf and his co-founders at De Ra Coffee, coffee is more than a morning beverage. It’s a way of life, a representation of culture. The cafe is serving…

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Creating a Non-Transactional Coffee Shop Customer Experience

In today’s world of convenience and on-demand everything, the customer experience can begin to feel pretty transactional. We order clothes, books, and tools online without asking a sales associate for…

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Coffee Shop Recipes: Rose Latte

This Rose Latte sings of spring and fresh flowers! Just a couple quick steps for this recipe: Prepare your preheated 8 oz latte cup by adding 1/3 oz or ~1…

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What’s trending at coffee shops in 2023?

Our world seems to be moving at hyper speed. Chatbots are writing articles (but not this one), cars are starting to drive themselves, and we’re drinking cold brew from cans. It…

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Arwa Yemeni Coffee: Coffee Shop Success Story

Meet the Coffeepreneurs® Behind Arwa Yemeni Coffee Texas Coffee School recently spoke to co-founder of one of DFW’s buzziest new coffeeshops, Yazan Soofi. Yazan is one of our former students…

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4 Reasons Coffee Shop Owners Burn Out (and How to Prevent Them)

How to Avoid Burnout for Coffee Shop Owners More entrepreneurs and thought leaders are talking about burnout than ever before, and for good reason. Burnout can lead to business decline,…

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How to Open a Coffee Shop in a Small Town

Can You Open a Coffee Shop in a Small Town? If you’re an entrepreneur living in a small town who wants to open a coffee shop, the answer is yes—you…

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Little Brick Coffee Opens a Coffee Shop in Small Town Maryland

When Coffeepreneurs® Dorrie and Jeff Pilot bought an eight-acre property in the country, they had big dreams of what they’d do with it. The vision began with two existing buildings…

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How to Write Your Coffee Shop Business Plan

Start a Coffee Shop Learn a new skill. Travel somewhere new. Cook more. Spend less. Studies show that 41% of Americans will make New Year’s resolutions, but only 9% will…

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5 Business Tips for Coffee Shops in 2023

No matter where you are in the coffee journey, 2023 could be a game-changing year for your coffee shop. From brand new Coffeepreneurs® to tenured cafe owners, everyone has more…

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Coffee Shop Recipes: Peppermint Rooibos Mocha

One of our favorite things to do is take typical coffee shop items and integrate them into other types of drinks. The peppermint flavor in this drink is real, essential…

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Coffee Shop Recipes: Maple Bourbon Latte

This maple bourbon latte is a show-stopper to enjoy in the fall or winter! We recommend using a certain type of bourbon to prepare this recipe—and it doesn’t have to…

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Coffee Shop Recipes: Sweet Potato Latte

We love offering something a little different than the typical “PSL” this time of year—try a sweet potato latte, instead. This sweet potato sauce recipe creates amazingly rich drinks. It’s…

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Leaving a Legacy with Red Cow Coffee

Coffee Shop Success Story: Red Cow Coffee At Texas Coffee School, we like to celebrate our former students who make their Coffeepreneur® dreams a reality. Today we’re highlighting Nequosha and…

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Are Young Americans Drinking More Coffee? And More Coffee Shop Trends

Many retailers and small business owners are paying attention to Gen Z coffee shop trends—and with good reason. Generation Z currently makes up a fifth of the U.S. population and…

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6 Mistakes to Avoid When You Start a Coffee Business

Anyone who wants to start a coffee business knows entrepreneurship can involve a lot of trial-and-error. But what if we could give you six mistakes to avoid—and save you from…

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How to Provide Excellent Coffee Shop Customer Service

Why is coffee shop customer service important in 2022 and beyond? In our step-by-step guide for how to start a coffee shop, we emphasize both your business plan—how you’ll delight…

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Fall 2022 Coffee Shop Trends

It’s officially fall, (even though it might not feel that way in Texas). The average coffee drinker probably knows this time of year as pumpkin spice season. But coffee shop…

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3 Ways to Dial in Coffee Shop Operations

Why Are Coffee Shop Operations Systems Important for Owners? The phrase, “work smarter, not harder,” has been around a long time. But it hasn’t lost its relevance. Working smart prevents…

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5 Smart Business Strategies for Coffee Shops in 2022

Just like any business, the coffee industry is ever-changing. Business owners and managers can’t be reactive to trends. They need to have a long-term plan for success, a vision for…

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Galindo’s Is the Hybrid Business Model of Tomorrow

Galindo’s, owned by Coffeepreneurs® Zak and Sophie Galindo, has something for everyone. You can bring your family in for haircuts, aesthetic services, and–our personal favorite–great coffee. They’re mastering the hybrid…

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Why Are We One of the Best Coffee and Barista Schools?

You know what’s the only thing worse than stale coffee? A stale coffee business class. Don’t settle for less than one of the best coffee schools. There are a growing…

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Managing Coffee Shop Costs of Goods Sold and Labor

Have you ever watched a new small business coffee shop hit the ground running in sales, attract a herd of customers, and then crash and burn within a year or…

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Hybrid Coffee Shop Models: The Future of Coffee Shops

Why a Hybrid Coffee Shop Model? In today’s competitive market, the traditional coffee shop faces challenges. Rising costs and market saturation in some areas are a few that jump to…

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How Inflation Affects Coffee Shops and How to Still Succeed

How Inflation Affects Coffee Shops It’s no secret that costs are rising, making coffee shop innovation matter more than ever before. The New York Times reports an 8.3% increase in…

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How Coffeepreneur® David Bednarek Grew His Coffee Shop Revenue

Online ordering, diversified menu, multiple streams of revenue—they’re more than just buzzwords. They’re the way of coffee shop innovation in 2022 and beyond. The coffee industry is more competitive than…

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How to Scale and Grow Your Coffee Shop

Are you a current or aspiring Coffeepreneur® with plans to grow your coffee shop? Do you dream of multiple locations and a team of employees to keep your business running…

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Social Media Tips for Coffee Shops

Like it or not, social media has become a mandatory marketing tool for coffee shops. The days of relying on word-of-mouth and a sandwich board outside are gone. But fear…

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Coffee Shop Innovation in 2022

These days, it’s tempting to pay attention to what’s trending. A memorable scene at the Oscars, the latest TikTok audio, and last night’s sports game churn up clicks and engagement.…

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Coffee Shop Operations Best Practices

The most successful Coffeepreneurs® have mastered refined, efficient, consistent coffee shop operations. Consistency leads to better customer service, higher employee retention, and ultimately a more successful coffee shop. From there,…

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Step-by-Step Guide: How to Start a Coffee Shop

How to Start a Coffee Shop, Step-by-Step So, you want to start a coffee shop? You’ve come to the right place, where we teach Coffeepreneurs® like you the steps to…

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Should You Add a Coffee Program to Your Business?

Entrepreneurs know that every business starts with an innovative idea. Whether you offer one-of-a-kind ice cream flavors, the neighborhood’s freshest produce, tourist apparel, or even nonprofit services, the community needs…

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Benefits and Challenges of a Drive Thru Coffee Shop

As mobile dining continues to be on the rise, a drive thru coffee shop could be the next step on your Coffeepreneur® journey. The pandemic prompted customers to reconsider the…

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How to Start a Coffee Brand

Starting a Coffee Brand At Texas Coffee School, we know we can teach anyone to make an excellent cup of coffee. But, it’s a strong brand that will keep customers…

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Starting a Coffee Truck Business

What are the benefits of starting a coffee truck? There are many benefits to launching your coffee business with a truck rather than a brick and mortar store. Coffee trucks…

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How to Open a Coffee Shop in 2021: Our Top Posts

This year, we shared more knowledge than ever before on how to open a coffee shop. We’ve helped hundreds of students successfully launch their own coffee shop businesses! If you…

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Coffee Shop Design Rules

How do I design a coffee shop? Dreaming up a coffee shop design is one of the most anticipated steps in the opening process. Many small business owners feel that…

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A Coffee Business With a Cause: Kind Cafe

We’re all familiar with the “pay it forward” concept–when the person ahead of you in line buys your cup of coffee. That $4 gesture can make your morning a little…

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Support Independent Coffee Shops this Holiday Season

‘Tis the season of pumpkin spice, gingerbread, peppermint, and one specific coffee chain’s annual holiday cups. But for many Coffeepreneurs® and their independent coffee shops, the holidays are different. This…

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Tips for Successful Coffee Shop Management

The Importance of Effective Coffee Shop Management We specialize in teaching our students how to open successful coffee shops. Of course, while every step from idea to opening can support…

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What’s the Secret to a Successful Coffee Shop?

Every year, hundreds of coffee shops across the country flourish–but for every successful shop, there’s another that failed within the first year of business. So what makes for a successful…

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Coffee Fuels Rapid Business Growth: Pop’s Coffee Company

A Motorcycle Garage Sees a Business Growth Opportunity Not long ago, Pop’s Garage Fabrication was a busy motorcycle repair and fabrication shop in Roswell, Georgia. The business occupied one half…

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5 Impactful Ways to Grow Your Coffee Business This Year

As in-person dining and socializing slowly re-enter our everyday life this year, opportunities abound for Coffeepreneurs® like you to grow your coffee business. Try these impactful ways to increase revenue…

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How to Start a Successful Coffee Shop

Cafe Entrepreneurship Even in an ever-changing world, cafe entrepreneurship can be a meaningful road to career fulfillment. The fundamentals of success remain the same today as they did two, ten,…

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How much does it cost to open a coffee shop?

Coffee Shop Finances: Frequently Asked Questions Aspiring entrepreneurs from all over the world come to our classes with a dream of opening a successful coffee shop. Often, they’ve funneled creative…

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Building a Career, Lifestyle, and Culture, with Shannon Neffendorf

Meet Shannon Neffendorf, co-founder of Oak Cliff Coffee, father of four, coffee origin aficionado, and friend of Texas Coffee School. His love for coffee culture was birthed in Milan, where…

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Top Entrepreneur Tips for Coffee Shop Owners (Part 2)

Entrepreneur Tips from Texas Coffee School Founder, Tom Vincent In a recent blog post, we interviewed Texas Coffee School founder Tom Vincent. More than 11 years into his own journey…

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5 Reasons Why Cafe Startups Fail

If you look for them, you can find dire statistics of small business success. So, it’s no surprise many aspiring Coffeepreneurs® are afraid of failure. Of course, we host classrooms…

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Top Entrepreneur Tips for Coffee Shop Owners (Part 1)

Entrepreneur Tips from Texas Coffee School Founder Tom Vincent In 2009, Tom Vincent was laid off from his job as a creative director. Facing an economic recession and declining print…

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Why Right Now Is a Great Time to Start a Small Business

Following a year of unexpected upheaval for small business owners, to start a small business may seem unthinkable. You’ve endured a year of new routines, rules, and adaptations. It’s tempting…

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4 Things You Will Only Learn at the Best Coffee Schools

A few coffee schools can teach you brewing basics, but only the best coffee schools can teach you how to start a successful business. Opening a business isn’t easy: 20%…

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This Commercial Cold Brew Solution Will Change the Game For Your Coffee Shop

With temperatures rising and people stepping out for coffee post-pandemic, cold brew continues to prevail as a favored coffee shop menu item. Coffee shop owners, managers, and baristas attest to…

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Using Oat Milk in your Coffee Shop Menu

If you’ve been to any specialty coffee shops in the last few years, you may have noticed a gradual trending away from dated dairy alternatives like soy milk to the…

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How to Find the Best Barista Courses

As coffee educators, we field a lot of questions from potential students about barista courses. What should I look for in a barista course? Is investing in barista training worth…

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Coffee Shop Marketing Strategies

We know how much it takes to open a coffee shop. Our students pour their hearts, sweat, time, and savings into bringing their coffee shop visions to life. After so…

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How to Start a Coffee Shop with Loyal Customers

How to Start a Coffee Shop People Love When students come to us to learn how to start a coffee shop, most of their questions start with business tactics. What…

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How to Make Better Tasting Cold Brewed Coffee at Home

How to Make Better Tasting Cold Brewed Coffee at Home If you are like most coffee enthusiasts, you want to know how to make better tasting cold brew coffee at…

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Are barista training classes worth it?

Barista training classes provide you the skills necessary to feel confident working in a quality-oriented coffee environment, or as a skilled home barista. Of course, attending barista training requires an…

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What to Expect as a Coffee Shop Owner

New Year, new Career! How to Start a Coffee Shop in 2021 We spend the beginning of each year making promises to ourselves. But this year, the resolutions feel different.…

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4 Coffee Business Lessons from Former Students

Many of our incoming coffee business students ask us for a successful coffee shop to study as they create their own business plan. In 2020, we shared success stories from…

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5 Things Only the Best Baristas Know How to Do

At a coffee shop, the customer experience begins and ends with baristas. Not only should they place value on serving delicious coffee, but they should also be able to do…

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They Didn’t Just Open a Coffee Shop, They Created a Lifestyle Brand

Meet the Co-Founders of Carve Surf and Coffee Kim Vanderpol and Cate Kelly met when they were two years old. As kids, they grew up on the beaches Jupiter, Florida.…

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Why Veterans Make Successful Coffee Shop Owners

Why Veterans Tend to Make Successful Coffee Shop Owners At Texas Coffee School, we have the honor of meeting all kinds of aspiring coffee shop owners. Many of our students…

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Why You Don’t Have to Wait to Open a Coffee Shop

Meet the Owner of “Coffee on the Red” Nelson Lewis founded Coffee on the Red in Bossier City, Louisiana with his brother Andrew. The Lewis brothers are both equine veterinarians,…

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Coffee Shop Industry Trends in 2020

This year’s coffee shop industry trends The year 2020 has brought about change to just about every industry. Restaurant and coffee shop businesses have found innovative ways to keep their…

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How to Become a Coffee Shop Owner

Meet the Owner of Stylus and Crate Coffee shop owner Tadd Overstreet didn’t always spend the work day making coffee and spinning vinyl (records.) A few years ago, he was…

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7 Things to Think About When Designing a Coffee Shop Floor Plan

Many of our 3-Day Coffee Business Master Class students are excited to start designing the aesthetic of their coffee shops. Before choosing furniture and wall colors, though, it’s important to…

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How Pivoting to a Drive-Thru Coffee Shop Transformed This Oklahoma Sno Cone Business

After Jennii Buendia took our 3-Day Coffee Business Master Class, she and her husband Adrian opened a drive-thru coffee and sno cone shop in Norman, Oklahoma. Beanstalk Coffee and Sno…

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Coffee Shop Owners Need Business Education, Not Just Barista Training

Do you need barista training or coffee business training? While many of the students who come to our classes are taking their first step into entrepreneurship, some are already experienced…

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3 Barista Training Musts for Coffee Shops

As a coffee shop owner, your baristas are the heart and soul of your business. Talented baristas can turn first-time customers into loyal brand advocates who come back to your…

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Why Now is the Right Time to Start a Coffee Shop

Is now the right time to start your coffee shop business? The world around us is changing rapidly. Entrepreneurs and business owners are pivoting, adapting, and fighting to keep their…

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How to Write a Coffee Shop Business Plan

If your goal is to open a successful coffee shop, writing a business plan is a smart place to start. The idea of a business plan is overwhelming and even…

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Answers Regarding COVID-19 and Upcoming Classes

[UPDATED] January 28, 2023 We want to make you aware of our current COVID-19 protocols. Our entire staff has been fully vaccinated, our State and County (Tarrant County) restrictions have…

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How to Open a Successful Coffee Shop

Want to learn how to open a successful coffee shop? Our seven-step process has helped people all over the world launch thriving coffee shop businesses.

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The Pathways To Success Podcast (EP 163): Tom Vincent, Founder of Texas Coffee School

Texas Coffee School founder, Tom Vincent was recently a featured guest on the Pathways to Success Podcast with Julian Placino (Episode 163). He shares his tips for how to open…

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Texas Coffee School Coffeepreneur® Spotlight: The Garden Foundation and Dig It! Coffee Co.

Students come to us from all over the world to learn how to open a coffee shop business. Most of the time, their passion is centered around coffee. Sometimes, however,…

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Don’t let fear stop you from starting a coffee shop

Do you have what it takes to be an entrepreneur? At Texas Coffee School, we will be the first to tell you the Coffeepreneur® lifestyle isn’t for everyone. Do you…

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The Unstoppable CEO Podcast (EP 124): Tom Vincent, of Texas Coffee School

The Story of Texas Coffee School Texas Coffee School founder, Tom Vincent was recently a featured guest on the Unstoppable CEO Podcast (Episode 124). He shares his amazing and very…

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Auto Tampers Are Changing The Espresso Game

Auto Tampers Increase Consistency in Coffee Shops One of the biggest problems that coffee professionals face is consistency. Enter auto tampers. Without them, is it possible to get consistent 20-30…

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2 Must Haves For A Coffeepreneur® Starting A Coffee Shop Business

As difficult as it can seem to truly find your passion in life — in your job, your home life or your relationships — finding a way to merge the three…

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The 5 Step Approach Of A Successful Coffeepreneur®

The 5 Step Approach Of A Successful Coffeepreneur® I used to think I needed to be perfect, or have all the answers, or all the conditions had to be just…

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The 2 Biggest Things Killing Coffee Shops, And How To Avoid Them

Below are the 2 biggest things killing coffee shop businesses. If you are planning to start your own coffee shop business, read carefully!

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4 Reasons You Should Start Your Own Business

There is a lot of hard work that goes into starting any business, and starting your own coffee shop is no exception. If you have been thinking of starting a…

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A Coffee Expert Gift Guide: 7 Gifts Your Coffee Geek Actually Wants

We all know someone who always has a coffee in their hand. It’s that coffee enthusiast that admires the craft, or simply depends on caffeine. If you know someone who…

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Setting Up Your At-Home Coffee Brewing Station

Creating your at-home coffee brewing station is full of fun and excitement as you begin to imagine hand-crafting your own cafe quality drinks in your own kitchen everyday! Unfortunately, and…

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Valentine’s Day Treats for Coffee Geeks

Valentine’s Day is the opportunity to celebrate love, and if you or your loved one can be classified as a “coffee geek,” it’s a time to celebrate that love over…

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Coffee Shop Recipes: House-Made Gingerbread Syrup

If you are in the mood to embrace a traditional coffee shop cold-weather flavor, you must try house-made gingerbread syrup! While most notably a holiday beverage, gingerbread is perfect in…

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Are Too Many Menu Options Stifling Your Coffee Shop’s Success?

It’s opening day at the coffee shop you have put your heart and soul into. You wait anxiously for that first customer to come strolling into your meticulously designed café…

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New Year’s Resolution – Get Your Beans Back

The New Year is a time many of us spend contemplating the lives we truly want, and comparing it to the lives we actually have. This most often leads to…

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The Texas Coffee School French Press How-To Guide

Below you will learn the science, technique and best practices essential to making outstanding French Press coffee. If you want to learn more about coffee extraction and gain an in-depth…

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Is Inconsistency Killing Your Coffee Business From Within?

Since you are reading a coffee school blog right now it is probably safe to assume you have visited a certain large chain “green mermaid” coffee shop before. Perhaps even…

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To Flavor or Not to Flavor? : A Barista School Guide to Better Flavored Lattes

When it comes to coffee, flavored syrups and other beverage additions it can be a divisive issue. Many coffee shops line their bars with several dozen flavor syrup offerings while…

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Barista Training v.s. Quality Barista Training: Don’t Pay The Price By Not Paying The Price

We’ve all heard it before that “You never get a second chance to make a good first impression.” According to research carried out by the American Psychological Association, when it…

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Coffee Tips: How To Make Japanese Style Iced Coffee

As Summer rolls around each year, our thoughts turn to iced coffee as a perfect complement to backyard barbecues and just about any get-together. You may want to try the…

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7 Mistakes to Avoid When Opening a Coffee Shop Business

There’s something romantic about coffee houses. The idea of a place within the community for people unwind, catch up with friends, hear music, grab a bite to eat and of…

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Should you serve house blend or single origin coffee in your coffee shop?

House blend or single origin coffee? Which of these is better for the greater good of specialty coffee shops: house blend or single origin coffee? We’ll look at both in…

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Holiday Gift Guide For Serious Coffee Geeks – By Texas Coffee School

Do you know someone who loves coffee? Someone who constantly tinkers in their kitchen for hours brewing coffee different ways. Maybe this person regularly reads books on the science of coffee brewing,…

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How To Brew Better Tasting Clever Dripper Coffee

Like many others in the specialty coffee industry, we’ve found the brewing instructions shared by the Clever manufacturer does not always produce favorable tasting results. After experimenting with many different…

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Blending Cultures Through Coffee Education

The world is full of fragrance. Some bring comfort and joy while others… do not. There is no fragrance more identifiable from miles away than coffee (especially roasting coffee). Coffee…

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A Texas Coffee School Guide To Making Better Tasting Coffee with a Hario V60

Below you will learn best practices essential to making great tasting pour-over drip coffee using a Hario V60 Dripper. If you want to learn more about coffee extraction and gain…

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Hand Brewed Coffee vs. Machine Brewed – Which is Best For Your Coffee Shop Business Plan, Barista Training?

Lately it seems like every commercial on television has a latte-art laden cappuccino. Television characters are working at coffee shops like Café Grumpy and Intelligentsia. Intelligentsia’s coffee can even be…

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Multi-Roaster Coffee Shop Business Model: The More The Merrier?

Specialty Coffee has grow significantly in the past decade. New quality-focused coffee shops and coffee businesses rapidly continue to open in cities across North America and beyond. Many are even popping…

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Coffee Business Tips: The Consumer’s Perspective

Whether it’s a cappuccino, a latte, an espresso, or simply black coffee, coffee has become a way of life for most people. The ever-growing market appeal of the specialty coffee…

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How Successful Coffee Businesses Shift Expectations to Elevate Perception of Value

Imagine you are going on a road-trip. It’s 4am and you need to fuel up your car (and yourself) before you leave. You pull in to the gas station since…

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How To Make Vacuum Siphon Coffee: A Step-By-Step Brew Guide

Below you will find the Texas Coffee School step-by-step guide for how to make vacuum siphon coffee. You will learn the specific parameters, technique, and best practices essential to making…

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Women: 3 Career Tips From A Coffee Business Veteran

The change in seasons is an always a good time to reflect on the past, present and future. The fall always prompts me to think about my career in coffee…

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Coffee Class: Why The Coffee Grinder Is The Most Important Component In Your Home Coffee Brewing Setup

It’s not secret that specialty coffee is in high demand these days. From Seattle to Miami, and Boston to Los Angeles, most major cities and many suburbs have a great…

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Coffee Business Matters: Service Beyond the Cup

Every single day, millions of people indulge in a cup of the sweet nectar of life we call coffee. If you partake in this daily ritual, recent studies suggest your…

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Opening the Doors of Coffee School

Envisioning a coffee school conjures images of eager eyed baristas clutching clip boards and cupping spoons. However there is another coffee school much nearer at hand. Being a great barista…

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Everyday Barista Training

When people say they are “in training,” they mean that they are practicing or learning a set of skills with their eyes on a specific goal. They may be in…

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How To Clean Your Espresso Machine – Best Practices

How to Clean Your Espresso Machine Below you will learn best practices essential to cleaning a commercial espresso machine and home espresso machine alike. Check out our Coffee Education Classes.…

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Coffee Shop Signature Drink Recipes: Creatively Embracing Seasonality

Seasonality is a word that is ingrained in the vocabulary of specialty coffee. Coffee is a seasonal crop, just like strawberries and other fruits. Throughout the year, specialty coffee offerings…

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A Barista School Guide To Pouring Latte Art

Despite the period of rapid growth and progression that the specialty coffee industry has been enjoying around the world as of late, much about our industry and our product remains…

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How To Be A Great Barista – Barista Training

There are four important questions that help a barista come to understand their role in the world of the coffee house. Who is your guest? Why do they come to…

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Pro Tips: Financing A Coffee Business Through Crowdfunding

Many of you are probably familiar with crowdfunding. You’ve likely seen some of the projects online that have gone viral, or maybe you’ve even backed a project yourself. If you…

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A Texas Coffee School Guide To Making Better Tasting Coffee with a Chemex

Below you will learn the best practices essential to making great tasting pour-over drip coffee using a Chemex. If you want to learn more about coffee extraction and gain an…

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How To Plan A Better Tea Program For Your Coffee Shop Business

The idea of coffee as a “specialty” beverage is a driving force of many coffee shops today: serving beverages that are crafted with knowledge and care from quality ingredients, served…

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Water…Coffee’s Largest Variable | Coffee School

By now, for coffee professionals and café owners, there is a better than likely chance they’ve heard the phrase “Coffee is 98% water.” Does this really mean anything? If so,…

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Coffee Business Tips: Creating a Culture of Consistency

It’s seven in the morning. You are tired, as you have every right to be at this hour. Maybe you’re a little grumpy, but you’re at your favorite coffee shop…

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Barista Training and Coffee Education

From Seattle to New York, Chicago to Houston, and numerous cities in between, specialty coffee has enjoyed tremendous growth in market-share over the past decade. As public interest continues to…

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WHY: Some Coffee Businesses Succeed and Many Fail

Specialty coffee, craft beverages, local baked goods, and just about all things “artisan” are in high demand these days (Even toast!). It doesn’t matter if you are in a big…

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How To Make Better Tasting Cold Brewed Iced Coffee (Using a Home Toddy Maker)

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Opening a Coffee Shop Business – 5 Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Starting a new business is an act of creation, an act of design. Even if you are pursuing a business model that has been “done before” and therefore proven, the…

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The Pathways To Success Podcast (EP 163): Tom Vincent, Founder of Texas Coffee School

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