|  |
| Customer Reviews: | | Average Customer Review: ( 13 customer reviews )
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
40 of 41 found the following review helpful:
 Good content, but very choppy Apr 27, 2006
By Brandi M. Seals
How to Open a Financially Successful Coffee, Espresso & Tea Shop" by Elizabeth Godsmark, Lora Aduser, and Douglas R. Brown is great for beginners looking into possibly opening a coffee shop. The book touches on a lot of information that is generic to any business, but it is a good starting point. It provides basic information on writing a business plan, scouting out a location, buying equipment, hiring a staff and more.
I wish the authors would have delved further into the various aspects of writing a business plan. As it is, it simply lists what types of topics should be covered in a business plan and basic information on what the terms mean. There is nothing comprehensive about how to create pro-forma income projections or any of the more intricate parts of the business plan.
While parts of the book seemed to just be stating common sense knowledge, the authors did provide a number of helpful websites and resources. They talk in-depth on ordering coffee, but I wish the book would have included more coffee/espresso specific information - such as numerous drink recipes, maybe tips from those that have started their own coffee shop. Things like that would have been useful.
The book's flow is also a little disappointing. Many times the writing seemed redundant because the topic had already been touched on. For some reason the authors will discuss a subject, such as using a website to enhance your business and then touch on the subject again a few chapters later without adding anything significant to the mix..
All in all, I think the book does provide a good deal of useful information to anyone looking to open a business in the food industry. I just wish it had more meat to it or that the authors would have gone more in-depth on a few key issues.
13 of 17 found the following review helpful:
 Highly Recommended Apr 11, 2006
By Book Woman
While adoring coffee or tea may help, it is not enough to make your new coffee and tea business an instant success. This reference book, written by successful authors Elizabeth Godsmark, Lora Arduser and Douglas Brown, should be your starting point. The predictable chapters are here - inventory and labor cost control, location assessment, public relations and bookkeeping - but there are also tidbits of information not found in similarly marketed guides. These include Internet marketing strategies, the pros and cons of buying a franchise and strategies for recruiting and retaining skilled employees. The personnel section is particularly helpful as employees are often the cornerstone of success, especially in a business where exemplary customer service is imperative. If you are not familiar with beverage and food service operational details, you will want to make it a priority to bookmark chapters 5 & 6 as they provide helpful hints on selecting gourmet coffee, choosing appropriate equipment - such as grinders, espresso machines and steamers - and a quick "cheat sheet" on tea types. On the included CD-ROM you will find a sample business plan for "Cupa Joe", as well as pertinent business forms and a coffee and tea shop supply list. This book is easy to read, offers invaluable tricks of the trade and helps prepare you for the rewarding task of opening your own coffee and tea shop. Highly recommended.
 Good if you plan to start a decent size business Aug 21, 2011
By rawraws
This book really focuses on larger, more franchise like coffee shops. If you have dreams of opening a small coffee bar in your town it's possible this book goes above and beyond what you need.
1 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Good so far... Nov 15, 2009
By Carla J. Ralston
"powsurfer"
I have just started reading How to Open a Finacially Successful Coffee, Espresso & Tea Shop and am only on page 33, but wanted to make a comment before I forget or don't have time to make my final assessment of the book. Most of what I've read so far is almost exactly as what is in the book FabJob Guide to Become a Coffee House Owner (FabJob Guides) by Tom Hennessy - word for word! I'm sorry I wasted my money, but the book was downloadable, and I couldn't wait to delve into learning. If you can wait a few days for delivery, save your money and buy this book as it is a bit more in depth and expands on the same points.
15 of 24 found the following review helpful:
A Fascinating Start May 08, 2006
By Lindsay Zortman
"HOW TO OPEN A FINANCIALLY SUCCESSFUL COFFEE, ESPRESSO & TEA SHOP" by Elizabeth Godsmark, Lora Arduser and Douglas R. Brown.
Coffee is a huge industry across the country and around the world. In the introduction of "How to open a financially successful coffee, espresso & tea shop" the authors point out that the coffee industry is a $5 billion industry, which is growing more and more every year.
Anyone who is interested in starting his or her own coffee, espresso, or tea shop is going to be fascinated in this book. The authors start at the beginning with developing a business plan. The give examples and even offer a CD program that has preformatted documents. Licenses, business name, choosing suppliers, and equipment requirements are all discussed in the opening chapters.
Many aspects of running a successful coffee, espresso & tea business are discussed throughout this book. The authors have done a tremendous job in giving an introduction to opening this type of business. They talk about profit planning and advertising, as well as choosing the best equipment and managing your operating costs.
Without a doubt this is a definite must have book for anyone even thinking about starting this kind of business. The author's are able to skillfully introduce all the major concerns with opening a coffee, espresso & tea business. They provide a wealth of information that will help clarify a person's views of what is actually required to open, operate, and run a financially successful coffee, espresso & teashop.
See all 13 customer reviews on Amazon.com
|
| | |
