Steve's take on common initial commercial coffee roaster capacity and business plan myths. Want to learn more about roasting? Visit: millcityroaste... Want to learn more about roasters? Visit: millcityroaste...
I've lost count how many times I've watched this video. Came for the roasting tips, stayed for the business advice. Every time someone tells me to go big with the microbakery I operate, I watch this to to stay sane.
As a roaster who went through the same thing, I agree. I am still on my 5K USRC and no not rolling in dough, I have a full time career in healthcare that supports it while it is still learning to fly. Stick to business sense and let the numbers, your passion and the market guide you.
From someone who has run their own business (not coffee) most of their life, that is some fantastic advice. Thank you From everyone that smart enough to listen
Your honesty is refreshing, raw and simple, I am starting out by selling my coffee ( roasted on a Kaldi Wide 400gram batch size) at my wife's hair salon, this way I roast and drink for free, let's see where it takes me, thanks Steve, maybe someday I will be able to get a coffee roaster from you guys.
As someone who started a coffee business through my dad's push, but also with his courage to start small rather than start big and flashy. I not only agree to every word. I have gone through it. And we aren't big at all, haven't paid myself through the business for over 2 years. But what I have learned is that selling coffee is much harder than just cooking some beans, bagging them and making a website. There is a lot more to it that people don't realise and that most people don't tell you about. I love your honesty and straightforwardness. As someone who is planning to start a coffee trailer now, this reiterates and reassures me that what I'm doing is the right thing!
That was brilliant and well spoken advice. My business in the building industry grew very well without trying to make it grow, I just did good work and did it on time and had to turn away work constantly because one can only do so much. Because of my success, am now mostly retired I can afford to buy one of your commercial roasters. I’ve been roasting on small drum roasters for 8 or more years. I just like the idea of having a bigger commercial style roaster for a hobby so i could care less about selling any although if a friend wanted to buy some I would not turn them down if I had time. I thought your info was excellent and gave me even more reason to buy a roaster from you. Thanks
The best advice for any businessman. I am going into the coffee business down here in Peru. Your videos and info have been a jewel. I really can not believe how much I have learned. I owe you sir. Thanks for all the hard work and knowledge. You are truly one intelligent individual.
Steve took a call from me on a Friday at 4:30. Talked as an interested small business owner. Steve provided the same advice. Spent close to 30 minutes on the phone. No B.S. the guy is authentic. I know where my next roaster is coming from.
Love this. In the IT world and utilizing ITIL principles. “Start where you are.” People tend to forget this when going into business and I appreciate your realism here!
I'm just getting started in the process, and hearing this is very refreshing. My partners are bogged down with business plans, financial forecasting, and already talking ROI numbers. I'm over here saying to them "ROI, based on what? We don't even have a roaster yet." I just sent this video to them. Maybe Steve can talk some sense into them. :-D
Thank you So much for the time taken to explain some things. I'm barely starting my Hobby into a Test market...lots to learn and think about it... thanks
Absolutely fantastic video. I do not own any of the products, but I'll tell you, we need more of this form of wisdom. A very common sense approach. I appreciate the video, education, and in certain terms the reassurance, Steve.
Great advice, thanks for being sincere. I'm in the process of buying a roaster and Giesen guys are difficult to contact but Steve answered an email on a saturday evening!!! Thanks!
Too many people thinking if they buy an expensive machine they will be Starbucks in a year. My plan, roast as a hobby, and if I can sell some beans to make it a self financing hobby I'm happy, if the customer base expands organically (because the product is good and the demand is there) then I will think about upsides and downsides of making my hobby a business. All the while looking at the escape route to get my investment back if it all stalls and I want to reverse back to a self financing hobby level.
I'm in. Being thinking about it far too long. Home roasting for 10 years now. Time to get me a 2kg unit and get the hours in to get my coffee out to those who want it. I can live with the downside as you say, and I believe I can stay on the other side of that equation. Looking forward to meet you in person!
Very good advice that could be duplicated to other businesses like mine! ( I'm a guitar maker. ;)) By the way, have you ever roasted spelt? My wif is going to start her production next year with a 3kg roaster (the biggest machine she could afford ;) ).
Should be required viewing for anyone with a flannel shirt who “wants to turn a hobby into a business.” Actually, forget the flannel shirt requirement.
Thank you so much for this video Steve! Grandpa Green really seemed like a very intelligent man! I loved the saying of "either it fixes itself or you learn to live with it" as that is exactly how I am living life haha! Keep those videos coming and let us all take part in your knowledge even further!
So if I am getting ya just start within your means and grow your business up? I think that's my problem is I'm thinking to much about it. I just need to start doing and put myseld out there. Thank you for a witty and motivating video 😁 Would you recommend a good smaller roaster to start with?
I have no desire to start a business out of roasting coffee, but I would not mind making a hobby out of roasting my own beans for my own brewing. I have been looking at the Behmor 1600ab plus. My buddy has the original 1600 and he used it for a few years and saif it worked just fine for home use and did a decent job. Anybody else use a Behmor roaster and think it would be worth buying at 400 bucks?
Giesen is a good company and makes good machines and you'll get what you pay for. We build marginally more capable machines in a much more robust package with an enormously more expansive view of after sale support. With us, you'll likely get double what you pay for. On that basis, we should be an easy choice.
