574: Founder Friday! w/ Mackenzie Cohen of Kittitas Cafe in Kittitas, WA!

If you want to run a great coffee shop, loving people is one of the most important things to have at the foundation of all you do. It is also sometimes the hardest and requires intentional pursuits of a visions and a tenacity that always seeks out ways to improve communication, service, hospitality, and quality to make sure both staff and customers consistently feel the love. I am happy that we get to chat with someone whose cafe and pursuit of what coffee service and community can look like has been making an big impact in a small eastern Washington town. Today we will be talking with the founder of Kittitas Cafe, Mackenzie Cohen! After working in the food and beverage industry in the U.S. and in Australia for over a decade, Mackenzie found her love for coffee, food, and people was so overwhelming she needed to make it her career! The Kittitas Cafe's unofficial motto is, "love on people so much, they can't help but love us back." So far, it's worked pretty well for them! Kittitas Cafe has formed an incredibly loving community, introduced people to coffee and food they otherwise may never have tried, and has provided careers for people that offer growth and fulfillment. Some things we will cover: Inspiration Behind Opening the Cafe Influences of Coffee Culture What is "The Athleticism of Service" What it Looks Like to Love People Well The importance of Creating a Supportive Team Environment Viewing Management as a continuous learning process Challenges, proud moments, and Building Relationships with Customers How Balance Staff and Customer Needs Menu Evolution From Staff Conversation and Feedback Gratitude as a Lifeline to Staff Links: 535: Founder Friday! 30 Years of Coffee! w/ Ana Burgos and Amanda Jones of Hyperion Espresso, Fredricksburg, VA 380 : Founder Friday! w/ Cary and Cindy Arsaga of Arsaga's Coffee Roasters 480: Focus on What Your Customers Love 340 : Encore Episode of "10 Reasons to Love the Customer"! 5 Keys to Coffee Shop Staff Retention Click below to register for our new webinar! "The Keys to the Shop: Principles for Cafe Success" KEYS TO THE SHOP ALSO OFFERS 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING! If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email chris@keystothshop.com or book a free call now: https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min SPONSORS Want a beautiful coffee shop? All your hard surface, stone, Tile and brick needs! www.arto.com Visit @artobrick The world loves plant based beverages and baristas love the Barista Series! www.pacificfoodservice.com