It can be relatively easy to run a small coffee operation using other roasters’ beans and a handful of household equipment. However, if you’re looking to make the jump to the next level of business, there are a few things you should consider. Running a mid-sized coffeehouse or coffee roaster can require more expertise and greater resources than a small business. If you want to take your business up a notch, here are a few important things to consider.
1. Equipment
Up until the point of upgrading, many small coffee businesses are able to get away with minimal equipment, but this may no longer be true if you’re looking to scale up your business. You’ll want to check the internet and any industry contacts for information on commercial equipment. From large ovens and roasters for roasting your own beans to industrial blenders for grinding and blending, it’s important to have what you need to make the jump. That way, you can scale your operation easily with fewer growing pains.
2. Supply
If you’re making the jump up and not yet roasting your own coffee, or even if you are, you’ll need to find affordable wholesale beans from the regions you’re interested in selling. In addition, you’ll need access to cups, lids, napkins and many other products. Scaling up to a mid-sized business means finding a convenient and affordable wholesale contact or several contacts to help you get the products you need. Increasing your contacts and overall wholesale ability will increase your ability to sell at scale and make your business more effective at its new size.
3. Space
When you grow, will you have enough room? A mid-sized coffee roasting business can require space to roast, space to mix, space to make drinks, space to pack or ship and storage for all of your items. In addition, you may want space for customers to sit and drink. Finding the right manufacturing and retail space or spaces can be an important part of this next big move for your business. Make sure you know where you’ll be and how much room you’ll have when you get there.
Taking your business to a new level is a big task, and you need to make sure you’re ready to scale. Putting time into figuring out the logistics of your equipment, wholesale supply and location can pay dividends down the road and make sure you stay stable through the transition.
