If you had a burning rash on your face, would you really need to see a dermatologist? Well, it really depends on your tolerance for DIY solutions. You can use WebMD and YouTube and try to diagnose and remedy your affliction, but a burning rash on your face sounds pretty painful and gross, so you’d probably call an expert. 

Yes. Yes. 1000% yes. Leases are not exactly rashes, but they can certainly be painful and lead to (emotional and financial) disfigurement if not properly handled. We say this all the time, but once more for the crowd in the back…leases are five to ten year legally binding contracts. Also, they are written in Legalese, which is a foreign language to those of us whose lega...

Maybe you’ve been managing coffee shops for years, made a billion cortados, can schedule your staff in your sleep, and now you’re ready to strike out on your own. Or maybe you’re done with corporate life, and your great resignation and passion for nitro cold brews has ignited your dreams of owning your own coffee shop. Wherever you’re starting, you need to know how to open a coffee shop like a pro, even if it’s your first time.

Here are five simple rules to opening a coffee shop without making rookie mistakes.

Rule #1: Have a business plan with financial projections.

If you’re more comfortable dialing in gorgeous washed process Ethiopian coffees than creating financial models, that’s okay...