You definitely know how to make coffee, isn’t it?
A cup of coffee can refresh your mood. How do you feel when you spend some time at a coffee shop?
I feel really energized and positive after having coffee at a coffee bar.
As an entrepreneur, I often talk to the coffee owners about their business and gain some insights.
Have you ever thought about setting up a coffee shop before? By the way, it’s a great idea if you’d like to have a coffee shop in 2020.
Because the coffee industry is expected to grow by 67% by the end of 2022, according to a recent study.
However, it requires other important things than a great idea.
Now here in this article, I’m going to share some important tips that will help you open your coffee shop.
Tips On How to Open a Coffee Shop
Having a great idea is not just enough, you need planning, designing of your shop, marketing, etc. Here are some useful tips for opening a coffee shop.
Write a Business Plan
When you think of how to start a coffee shop the first thing is to write an effective business plan. Now how to write an effective business plan?
Here are a few important questions that you need to address when you are planning for your coffee shop.
- What is your business?
- How can you gain profit from your business?
- Where is your target market?
- Who are your competitors?
- How do you forecast your business?
- What are your short term, mid-term, and long-term goals?
Now do not create a complex long-form business plan which is not easy to visualize.
I recommend you to create a business plan in one-page showing everything which is mentioned in the above list.
Find a Suitable Location
Finding an ideal spot is one of the main aspects of a coffee shop.
Find a spot that is in the middle of a market or busy place that can be easily seen and reached.
Note, you can’t expect to locate such a location immediately, so you need to check various areas to find the right spot.
You may take the aid of the internet, but make sure you visit the place before you make a phone or message offer.
If you can find an old restaurant or coffee shop, it’s easier to save on interior design.
Design a Layout of Your Coffee Shop
Designing the layout of your coffee shop is the next important thing you need to remember.
After finding the right place, go to the site, and plan the layout of your store.
Make a floor plan by considering everything, such as your entrance, sitting area, room for your employees to work, etc.
Prepare a design on a paper or on your computer. You can also use online tools to design the layout of your store.
Start Networking
The best way for a grand opening is to create a network. Join a local community, become a member of a business association, be visible to the market, connect with other coffee shops, etc.
Spread your network to potential individuals, communities, groups, clubs, and organizations before your opening.
Develop a Marketing Plan
After opening your store, don’t start marketing, because you’re going to sit behind.
Start marketing at least a month before you can. Using the benefit of social media marketing to relate to your customers.
Offer free samples at different events in your area, or you can offer free samples at different locations where people meet to spend their leisure time.
You may also use the traditional marketing technique, such as media aid, distribution of pamphlets, etc.
Focus on Interior as well as Exterior Design
Why do people want to have coffee in a coffee bar? Because they’re trying to relax or have a lovely experience inside a café.
That’s why make your interior attractive by choosing the right paintings, what to hang on your walls, and a specific theme.
If you’re not sure you can take the aid of a professional interior designer. Still communicate explicitly with them about your requirements.
Don’t forget to design your exterior, because a customer sees your store from outside before entering into your shop.
Have a Leader Mindset
Above all, this is the most important thing you need to have for running your business successfully.
As you know, every business has some risks, obstacles, and uncertainties associated with it.
Therefore, have a leader mindset to tackle those problems and inspire your employees when things won’t work the way you have planned.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you’ve learned useful tips for opening a coffee shop and running it successfully. To turn your coffee shop into a successful cafe company, take the tips and check back every step of your journey.
As mentioned above, prepare a simple, one-page business plan that helps you to easily visualize your strategy.
You will need to take care of shop architecture, publicity, advertisement, and leading thinking. But, if you have a question, feel free to ask.
Author Bio: Evanka Smith is a freelance content writer and enthusiastic blogger. She is the co-founder of dreamandtravel. She contributes to many authority blogs such as Content Rally.
