Cool Careers - Independent Coffee Shop Owner

Interview with Steven Turner: Coffee Shop Owner, Toronto, ON

"You build it, you make it work. People come through the door as much for you as they do for the coffee. You can make a difference."

1. How would you describe what you do?

I own an independent coffee shop, called “The Big Guy’s Little Coffee Shop”, providing people with something they can actually live without, but choose not to. Because I am self-employed, I have to do everything with regards to the business: order all the stock, pay the bills, keep the shop clean and tidy, market the shop, keep the books, sell the coffee and most importantly, deal with all the people who come through the door. I have to provide a relaxing and welcoming environment while at the same time providing a product of the highest quality. Owning your own business makes you a bit of a “jack-of-all” trades.

2. How do you make money/or how are you compensated?

My customers pay for their coffee and food at the cash counter. I allow my regular customers to keep a tab but in general, people pay right away. I draw a monthly salary and at the end of the financial year I re-invest any profits which have been made.

3. What education or skills are needed to do this work?

It helps to have some background in a number of things - marketing, accounting and business. But the most important skill (you can learn to make coffee) is the ability to deal with people. You get people of all ages and all walks of life coming through the door and because we are a neighbourhood shop, they feel that they can relate to you and tell you their life stories. To be able to make everybody feel important is not an easy thing to do. It is a bit of an overused phrase, but you have to be a “people’s person”.

4. What is most challenging and what is most rewarding about what you do?

The biggest challenge is being the person responsible for everything. Whether the coffee shop succeeds or fails – it rests with you. You have to be on all the time. There’s no time to be sick or in a bad mood. On the other hand, the biggest reward is that it rests with you. You build it, you make it work. People come through the door as much for you as they do for the coffee. You can make a difference.

5. What advice would you offer someone considering this career?

It really is a labour of love. You will spend a huge amount of time at the shop and the danger is that it can take over your life. Be prepared to accept that the shop, for a time, will become your social life. Also, being self-employed means that you are always thinking and worrying about your business. When you go on vacation you will be spending time every day checking in to make sure all is well.

6. What is a common misconception people have about what you do?

The most common misconception about my work is that people think I sit around for hours on end chatting. There are always things that need to be done - cleaning, stocking and ordering supplies, among other things.

7. Do you have any final thoughts you wish to share?

Owning and managing a coffee shop can be an extremely fulfilling career but only if you base your concept of success on the customer relationships that are developed over time, and the satisfaction that comes from selling a product that you love.

For more information on The Big Guy’s Little Coffee Shop please visit our Facebook page “The Big Guys Little Coffee Shop” or drop in for a coffee to 2861 Lakeshore Blvd West, Etobicoke, M8V 1H8.

Thank you for sharing your unique career choice with us Steven. Click here to read other interviews in our series with people who have Cool Careers.