Videos like this hard to post. It’s vulnerable, humbling and honestly a little embarrassing but I think not posting would sends out a false narrative on the journey. So, cheers to anyone who has been set back in anything. Pick up the pieces, regroup and let’s go!! I believe in you! Share a quick set back in the comments. Would love to read through them.
A man plans his way but God directs his steps. The Destination is never as important as the development along the way. Major props to your vulnerability and honesty and it’s these traits that are to be greatly praised! I have no doubt these challenges and pivots are critical in life.
Thanks Dan! I truly appreciate hearing that. Means a lot. I know the good Lord has a plan. I sometimes question the reasoning but it seems to always work out for the best so I will just keep letting him guide me along. We will get there in due time. Thanks for watching my friend!
Knowing when to change your plan is critical. People too often continue down a path when the signs all point otherwise. Love your honesty and willingness to share your experience. Looking forward to your progress.
I find stories like yours motivating. So many people are posting pictures of supposedly perfect lives, trying to give off an air of confidence. It's tough journeys with wrong ways and pivots that show what real life is. Thank you for opening yourself and being vulnerable. I hope all of the best in these new pivots.
Hah thanks buddy! I really appreciate hearing that. It’s kind of hard to post the stuff that doesn’t go right and get all the “I told you so” messages. But if I just show the good things then I feel that doesn’t help anyone. Life is not that way. Appreciate the support brother!
Rob, I like your candor and your humility. I am sure you will get there. Continue doing what you are doing. Good luck to you. I myself continue learning a lot from you. Remember me when you get there...😁 Don't forget your old friend of the tranche. God Bless all your wishes!!!
Haha yes indeed! I figure the more I learn and share and learn from you all we can make all our little boats rise together! Best of luck with your endeavors and thanks for the support my friend!
Thank you for sharing your process. Love seeing others in the coffee industry starting and growing their small businesses. Looking forward to seeing how things evolve. Good luck from Cali!
Heck ya my friend! I truly appreciate the support. We are finally getting some things wrapped up so hoping to be moving in the new direction soon. Thanks so much for watching!
Hey Rob! Good luck on your pivot! In my small specialty foods business I've found appearing at Farmer's Markets has led to greater market penatration and consumer awareness. I strongly suggest you try this venue for your coffee cart/trailer. Best Wishes for your success! - Mike Starshak Wisconsin Hickory Products, Inc.
Thanks so much! I’ve heard the farmers markets are good too. We have a good one over in Baton Rouge so I will def try and get into that if possible. Appreciate you watching my friend!
As someone who has been in business on his own since 1990 owning both a coffee shop and a restaurant at different times and if i can give you one piece of advice is start small and avoid debt, especially large debt, like the plague as it can sink you. As a fellow roaster, and as an avid coffee lover, I would recommend two options for you: 1) you can avoid the financial headaches of having huge overhead, rent and expenses if you sell your product on Amazon. There you will have probably the largest market place to sell your product with little to no risk. You can ship the coffee to them and have Amazon fulfil the purchases or you can fulfil the purchases yourself. This allows you to work from home and more importantly you have no debt or overhead to cause you to lose sleep at night, 2) if you really want to have a person-to-person experience selling your coffee in a café environment then try and find a small perhaps maybe 1000 square-foot retail location in a busy area with the correct demographics and set up a small shop there. Small is good! Especially when starting out. This option does require a Capital expenditure for leasehold improvements, buying commercial espresso machines and grinders and commercial coffees brewing machines along with their corresponding thermoses to keep the coffee hot. Add a few table/bar stools for customers. You will need to have six months of backup revenue (think “oxygen supply”) to cover your rent and payments on the aforementioned equipment you’d be leasing as you certainly will not be able to cover those expenses on day 1. And thank your lucky stars that you were not able to get the building that you wanted because if you actually did the math you’d be scared out of your wits. Starting a business should be fun. Not a exercise for sleepless nights.
I feel your pain, I’m about to start a roastery and coffee shop, and it’s incredibly difficult to find the right space at an affordable rent. It’s all part of the journey, man. I know you had the whole thing mapped out in your head, but honestly, it sounds like you dodged the bullet and could have gone down a path that might have jeopardised the whole business. So well done on getting good, timely, sound advice. Just like you, I’m sure I’ll have to make a lot of course corrections along the way.
Yes indeed! Def not getting to emotional or attached to one idea has been helpful. Hope you are able to get something set up and moving as well! We got this my friend!
Good luck with your pivot Rob, you definitely dodged a bullet with that 6k sqft nightmare. If I can offer a word of advice it would be to put most of your investment into the coffee trailer (front end) and the minimum necessary for a fully approved and licensed roastery (back end). A staffed trailer is more of a proven business model and will make most of your sales. If you can do a small brick and mortar, even better. Don’t take any investment from partners, it’s better to own 100% and get a loan from a bank if you have to. A partnership can get messy and they often end relationships. My opinion.
Good advice is a hard pill to swallow sometimes, but really glad you can look at this subjectively. Not letting your emotions dictate things is a great skill to have Rob!
Thank you very much for sharing your process. You are so far ahead in that you have clear thought processes on how you plan to pivot. The old adage of getting up after getting knocked down is alive in you. The first setback stops so many from pursuing their dreams--you are not going to let that happen. Sorry, I don't know but, what is the shop you mention in which you plan to set up roasting? You are providing a great service to many that would like to follow the path you are currently traveling.
I have a machine shop behind my house that is 40’x80’. I’m going to section off a piece in the back and build out a roastery in there. Truly appreciate the support and kind words brother! Thanks for watching!
Your content is extremely valuable because it's REAL. Thanks for the all the info and motivation, Rob. I'm sure we would all love to see how the next plan works, really interested in the trailer concept. I have a huge old 1950's white school bus from a friend I want to turn into a mobile roastery/cafe. Needless to say, I'm excited about your next step!
I would love to see the bus idea brought to life! That would be awesome! I truly appreciate the kind words and thanks so much for watching! Keep me updated when you start on the bus!
Nice video! I’m in a spot close to you. Finally learned roasting, how to make great drinks and want to make a career pivot. Scared to pull the trigger though! Hope all goes well for you.
I’m scared right there with ya buddy! Haha I don’t think it would be fun and as interesting if it didn’t scare us some. Best of luck to you and hopefully we can come out on the other side where we want to be.
Banks aren’t going to just give out money. There has to be something in it for them. They are in business too. If it was that easy there would be a roastery on every corner. It takes cash and assets to make this work and if your a good handy man that will save you a ton of money.
Found out they don’t want assets near as much as they want to see cash. I had enough assets but the other issue was having business history. The amount of cash they wanted me to put up to cover the risk of no prior cash flow was a good bit. Learned a ton about where I need to position myself and the banker has become like a mentor. All in all I know what I need to shoot for now. Truly appreciate you watching my friend!
I’ve experienced a lot of set backs in running, during my first 100 mile ultra I injured both knees and had to quit at mile 55. Lessons learned and I’ve thankfully moved on to finish more races. I’m looking to start a small business roasting coffee and would love any advice on how to get that going.
Check out the link I sent you from IN. He is in Ireland and has a decent setup for a mobile site. Just need a nice espresso machine and make any size Americanos plus espresso drinks. Cafe pico
Videos like this hard to post. It’s vulnerable, humbling and honestly a little embarrassing but I think not posting would sends out a false narrative on the journey. So, cheers to anyone who has been set back in anything. Pick up the pieces, regroup and let’s go!! I believe in you! Share a quick set back in the comments. Would love to read through them.
A man plans his way but God directs his steps. The Destination is never as important as the development along the way. Major props to your vulnerability and honesty and it’s these traits that are to be greatly praised! I have no doubt these challenges and pivots are critical in life.
Thanks Dan! I truly appreciate hearing that. Means a lot. I know the good Lord has a plan. I sometimes question the reasoning but it seems to always work out for the best so I will just keep letting him guide me along. We will get there in due time. Thanks for watching my friend!
Knowing when to change your plan is critical. People too often continue down a path when the signs all point otherwise. Love your honesty and willingness to share your experience. Looking forward to your progress.
Yes indeed Jim! We get married to an idea and we can see the pitfalls that start to arise. Very good point. Thanks for watching my friend!
I find stories like yours motivating. So many people are posting pictures of supposedly perfect lives, trying to give off an air of confidence. It's tough journeys with wrong ways and pivots that show what real life is. Thank you for opening yourself and being vulnerable. I hope all of the best in these new pivots.
Hah thanks buddy! I really appreciate hearing that. It’s kind of hard to post the stuff that doesn’t go right and get all the “I told you so” messages. But if I just show the good things then I feel that doesn’t help anyone. Life is not that way. Appreciate the support brother!
Man Rob these are almost the exact hurdles I've been dealing with! Not going to lie... I'm tired of pivoting! Onward my man, we got this!
Haha I hear ya on the pivoting. I spun in circles a few times already! Let’s keep getting after it my friend!
Rob, I like your candor and your humility. I am sure you will get there. Continue doing what you are doing. Good luck to you. I myself continue learning a lot from you. Remember me when you get there...😁 Don't forget your old friend of the tranche. God Bless all your wishes!!!
Haha yes indeed! I figure the more I learn and share and learn from you all we can make all our little boats rise together! Best of luck with your endeavors and thanks for the support my friend!
Thank you for sharing your process. Love seeing others in the coffee industry starting and growing their small businesses. Looking forward to seeing how things evolve. Good luck from Cali!
Heck ya my friend! I truly appreciate the support. We are finally getting some things wrapped up so hoping to be moving in the new direction soon. Thanks so much for watching!
You got this. Motivating me to keep progress moving on my own project.
Don’t stop dude!! I want to visit your dream when you get it finished! Anxious to hear where you are at with everything. Keep me posted!
Hey Rob! Good luck on your pivot! In my small specialty foods business I've found appearing at Farmer's Markets has led to greater market penatration and consumer awareness. I strongly suggest you try this venue for your coffee cart/trailer. Best Wishes for your success!
- Mike Starshak
Wisconsin Hickory Products, Inc.
Thanks so much! I’ve heard the farmers markets are good too. We have a good one over in Baton Rouge so I will def try and get into that if possible. Appreciate you watching my friend!
Keep going rob! I’m starting a micro roastery in CA. I love your content.
Thanks so much buddy! We def going to keep chugging along! Good luck with your roastery!
As someone who has been in business on his own since 1990 owning both a coffee shop and a restaurant at different times and if i can give you one piece of advice is start small and avoid debt, especially large debt, like the plague as it can sink you. As a fellow roaster, and as an avid coffee lover, I would recommend two options for you:
1) you can avoid the financial headaches of having huge overhead, rent and expenses if you sell your product on Amazon. There you will have probably the largest market place to sell your product with little to no risk. You can ship the coffee to them and have Amazon fulfil the purchases or you can fulfil the purchases yourself. This allows you to work from home and more importantly you have no debt or overhead to cause you to lose sleep at night,
2) if you really want to have a person-to-person experience selling your coffee in a café environment then try and find a small perhaps maybe 1000 square-foot retail location in a busy area with the correct demographics and set up a small shop there. Small is good! Especially when starting out. This option does require a Capital expenditure for leasehold improvements, buying commercial espresso machines and grinders and commercial coffees brewing machines along with their corresponding thermoses to keep the coffee hot. Add a few table/bar stools for customers. You will need to have six months of backup revenue (think “oxygen supply”) to cover your rent and payments on the aforementioned equipment you’d be leasing as you certainly will not be able to cover those expenses on day 1.
And thank your lucky stars that you were not able to get the building that you wanted because if you actually did the math you’d be scared out of your wits. Starting a business should be fun. Not a exercise for sleepless nights.
Thanks so much for the info! Very appreciated and I will def read over this a couple times and think on it. I have a lot to figure out for sure!
I feel your pain, I’m about to start a roastery and coffee shop, and it’s incredibly difficult to find the right space at an affordable rent. It’s all part of the journey, man. I know you had the whole thing mapped out in your head, but honestly, it sounds like you dodged the bullet and could have gone down a path that might have jeopardised the whole business. So well done on getting good, timely, sound advice. Just like you, I’m sure I’ll have to make a lot of course corrections along the way.
Yes indeed! Def not getting to emotional or attached to one idea has been helpful. Hope you are able to get something set up and moving as well! We got this my friend!
Good luck Rob!
Thanks so much buddy! Truly appreciate it!
1st like and comment! Hope all is well with you and yours. Be positive is not only a blood type. Chin up!
Heck ya! You beat me! Haha thanks buddy. Truly appreciate it.
Good luck with your pivot Rob, you definitely dodged a bullet with that 6k sqft nightmare. If I can offer a word of advice it would be to put most of your investment into the coffee trailer (front end) and the minimum necessary for a fully approved and licensed roastery (back end). A staffed trailer is more of a proven business model and will make most of your sales. If you can do a small brick and mortar, even better. Don’t take any investment from partners, it’s better to own 100% and get a loan from a bank if you have to. A partnership can get messy and they often end relationships. My opinion.
Thanks for the great advice brother. Def moving more in that direction you described. Hope all has been well my friend!
Good advice is a hard pill to swallow sometimes, but really glad you can look at this subjectively. Not letting your emotions dictate things is a great skill to have Rob!
Yes indeed!! The more I learn from all you guys the better I hope to become!
sorry to hear about the store not happening yet buddy. But it will be all that much sweeter when it happens. Great insight
Haha yes indeed! We will eventually get there. 3 steps forward 2 steps back seems to be life. Appreciate the support my friend!
@@RobPirieCedarOtaCoffee my struggles have been there too.
Thank you very much for sharing your process. You are so far ahead in that you have clear thought processes on how you plan to pivot. The old adage of getting up after getting knocked down is alive in you. The first setback stops so many from pursuing their dreams--you are not going to let that happen. Sorry, I don't know but, what is the shop you mention in which you plan to set up roasting? You are providing a great service to many that would like to follow the path you are currently traveling.
I have a machine shop behind my house that is 40’x80’. I’m going to section off a piece in the back and build out a roastery in there. Truly appreciate the support and kind words brother! Thanks for watching!
Your content is extremely valuable because it's REAL. Thanks for the all the info and motivation, Rob.
I'm sure we would all love to see how the next plan works, really interested in the trailer concept. I have a huge old 1950's white school bus from a friend I want to turn into a mobile roastery/cafe. Needless to say, I'm excited about your next step!
I would love to see the bus idea brought to life! That would be awesome! I truly appreciate the kind words and thanks so much for watching! Keep me updated when you start on the bus!
Nice video! I’m in a spot close to you. Finally learned roasting, how to make great drinks and want to make a career pivot. Scared to pull the trigger though! Hope all goes well for you.
I’m scared right there with ya buddy! Haha I don’t think it would be fun and as interesting if it didn’t scare us some. Best of luck to you and hopefully we can come out on the other side where we want to be.
Sorry you didn't get your building
It will happen in due time!
Banks aren’t going to just give out money. There has to be something in it for them. They are in business too. If it was that easy there would be a roastery on every corner. It takes cash and assets to make this work and if your a good handy man that will save you a ton of money.
Found out they don’t want assets near as much as they want to see cash. I had enough assets but the other issue was having business history. The amount of cash they wanted me to put up to cover the risk of no prior cash flow was a good bit. Learned a ton about where I need to position myself and the banker has become like a mentor. All in all I know what I need to shoot for now. Truly appreciate you watching my friend!
I’ve experienced a lot of set backs in running, during my first 100 mile ultra I injured both knees and had to quit at mile 55. Lessons learned and I’ve thankfully moved on to finish more races. I’m looking to start a small business roasting coffee and would love any advice on how to get that going.
Check out the link I sent you from IN. He is in Ireland and has a decent setup for a mobile site. Just need a nice espresso machine and make any size Americanos plus espresso drinks. Cafe pico
I def will. Looking for any advice I can get at the moment! Thanks so much for watching buddy! Always appreciated.
Very good Pod Cast, congrats , and yes, I agree, lots more can be done if one partners up ! want to share your email please ?
Thanks so much for watching my friend! Email is info@cedarotacoffee.com.