Season 1
Ristretto Shots: Inspiring email from a listener
April 14, 2023
In this episode of Ristretto Shots I read Phil’s email to me about a coffee gig he did, describing how it went and how much fun he had going out on his own and making it happen! This is what it’s all about folks; just gettin…
26 - Interview with Jamie and Ryan Getchell of The Nest Family Cafe
Sept. 19, 2022
I have been thinking about doing this interview for months! Ryan and Jamie are the founders of The Nest Family Cafe in Londonderry, NH. They -- just like me -- started without having any coffee or business experience. A…
25 - Books that helped me through the process
July 28, 2022
I have gotten a few emails with listeners asking what books I recommend. I email each person individually, but decided it would be more beneficial if I just record a Bonus episode. I broke the list in 4 categories: Coffee, S…
22 - Cash, POSes and Scammers
June 20, 2022
In this episode, I talk a bit about POSes, but spend a good amount of time talking about various aspects of working with cash and how to protect your business or coffee shop from scammers. I share some issues I ran into and …
24 - The last days of Cafe Chocolat
Feb. 8, 2022
I spent 1.5 years over 23 podcast episodes talking about what we did at Cafe Chocolat and how we did it. Meanwhile the 800 pound gorilla was sitting right next to me staring at me — Cafe Chocolat had been shut down. I wasn’t…
23 - FINAL Episode and Parting Thoughts
Aug. 11, 2021
We have come to the end if the “Starting Your Coffee Shop” journey. In this episode I share a personal story of a childhood book/character that I always think of when I run into something that looks hard and scary, and how I…
21 - Should you offer FREE Wifi?
July 16, 2021
Yes, FREE Wifi is nice, it’s convenient, it’s fun, but it’s not a right. Should you offer it at your coffee shop? Should you not? Let’s discuss! Ristretto Time: Starting and Running Your Coffee Shop by Gjergj Dollani http://…
9 - Where to find money to finance your business
July 2, 2021
In this episode I talk about some different ways to find money to support your new business. I share how I did it at Cafe Chocolat. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ristrettotime/message Support this podcas…
20 - How many cups do I need? (Questions from listeners)
June 19, 2021
In this episode I answer some of the questions that although may seem trivial are important and will keep you up at night. How many cups do you need? Should you offer different cappuccino sizes? Should you carry different es…
19 - Your Customers are not your Friends
May 30, 2021
In this Episode I talk about the importance of treating customers like patrons first, and friends second. Just because they’ve been coming to your shop for years, it doesn’t mean you can take liberties with them as you would…
14 - 3 attributes of a great barista
May 8, 2021
In this episode I talk about the 3 attributes that make for an outstanding barista. At Cafe Chocolat, I only spent about 5 min interviewing each candidate. I didn’t need more time, because I was not interested in playing sce…
11 - Hiring staff, employee types and how to develop them
April 27, 2021
In this episode I talk about how to hire the right employees. What to be aware of. I share the hiring process we had at Cafe Chocolat. Also, things you can do to develop your staff. http://www.ristrettotime.com --- Send i…
13 - Interview with Alex Escobar of Cervantes Coffee Roasters
April 6, 2021
In this episode Alex and I talk about how he started his coffee roastery in his home 10 years ago, and how he grew it to distribute in the entire east coast. We talk about trends in the coffee business, product development, …
18 - How to think about starting a shop the right way
April 1, 2021
In this episode, I dissect a call I had recently with someone passionate about starting their own little shop. They were very excited about it, and asked me the right questions, but those were questions they should have atte…
17 - Answers to some of your questions
March 16, 2021
In this episode, I decided to answer some of the questions I have started to get via email. Some of the questions are about the type of espresso machine, space renting, number of employees you need, etc. http://www.ristretto…
Ristretto Shots: The Coffee Shop Success Formula
March 13, 2021
Here it is! The most important episode I’ve ever recorded (and probably will ever record). I’m giving out the formula to success or failure, and even highlighting what the best solution is. ...you’re welcome! http://www.rist…
16 - Is it the right Location and Space?
March 9, 2021
In this episode, I talk about the things that need to be considered when choosing a location for your coffee shop. It is not an exhausting list, but it is a few of the most important details. The last 2 minutes also I think …
15 - SEO for coffee shops and retail with Granit Doshlaku of Manaferra
Feb. 21, 2021
My guest, Granit Doshlaku is an expert in Search Engine Optimization. He is a featured speaker in TEDx and various international Search conferences. Granit and I talk about ways coffee shops and small business can capitalize…
10 - Earning PR and getting your shop noticed
Feb. 14, 2021
In this episode I talk about how to get earned media (being talked about in the news), leveraging Twitter and Instagram go get the word out. Cafe Chocolat made the news as far as Indonesian TV, and your shop can too. I’ll sh…
Ristretto Shots: Read the fine print! READ IT!
Jan. 27, 2021
Here it is; just read the damn fine print. Don’t let wishful thinking take over rational thinking. No matter how good something sounds, there is a catch. Find out what it is. Don’t be like the people I talk about in this sho…
12 - Running a pirate ship (coffee shop)
Jan. 24, 2021
As the owner and/or manager of a coffee shop, you are running a pirate ship! And I mean it! You’ll be managing people that are not all necessarily trying to really learn the business and grow with it. In this episode I discu…
8 - Entrepreneur Mindset - Interview with Alban Selami of Shqipful
Dec. 30, 2020
In this episode we discuss what it takes to have an entrepreneurial mindset. Changing your strategy in a dime. Understanding when to quit. Stoicism. Etc. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ristrettotime/messa…
7 - Choosing the right Coffee Supplier (Part 2) Interview with Travis Vaughn of La Colombe Coffee
Dec. 21, 2020
We talk about what to look for in Suppliers. The future of coffee consumption and the local Washington DC coffee scene. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ristrettotime/message Support this podcast: https://an…
6 - Choosing Coffee Suppliers with Travis Vaughn of La Colombe (Part 1)
Dec. 14, 2020
Travis and I talk about choosing suppliers. What to look for. What consumers are looking for in the coffee experience. We also discuss coffee scene in DC. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ristrettotime/mess…
5 - Culture, innovation, product launch & pricing tricks at Cafe Chocolat
Dec. 8, 2020
Interview with my long-time employees Derek James and Gabriel Falk. A trip down memory lane about what worked and what didn’t work. We also talk about some pricing tricks I played there. --- Send in a voice message: http…
4 - Know thyself and thy customer
Dec. 3, 2020
In this episode I talk a bit about Branding and how it relates to everything that you do. I focus on the importance of understanding the consumer journey. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ristrettotime/mess…
3 - Your business is not your baby!
Dec. 1, 2020
We talk about setting up systems in place, so that you can better manage your time and what’s important to you! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ristrettotime/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/…
2 - Why this? Why now? Why you?
Nov. 28, 2020
This episode is designed to discourage anyone from starting a coffee shop! You should thank me for doing you a great service! Your family should thank me for crushing your coffee dreams! ...but remember; weak hands fold firs…
1 - Q & A on Cafe Chocolat
Nov. 26, 2020
How did I start Cafe Chocolat? What are some important things to think about when starting a coffee shop? How much time? How much money does it take? These and more in this episode! --- Send in a voice message: https://a…