So you have finally decided to take a leap of faith and start your own business. You’re sick of the 9-5 lifestyle and ready to pursue a career with something you’re actually passionate about. You have always been interested in the idea of starting your own coffee shop, and you finally find yourself ready to take on the challenge.
But as exciting as starting your own coffee shop is, it’s also intimidating. There are so many amazing coffee shops out there, how are you supposed to stand out? Go to any town and you will find at least 3 coffee shops, so making yours unique is definitely a challenge. It’s all about being creative and creating a brand that will attract a wide range of customers. You want people to look at your coffee shop and think, “That place looks cool, I want to go there”. Don’t blend in with the background, here are 4 ways your coffee shop can stand out:
There is just something about walking into a nicely decorated coffee shop and instantly feeling at peace. You want your shop to be calming and inviting, and a place where people can go to do work or hang out with friends. The more of a relaxing environment you create with the design of the shop, the more likely people are to stay and order multiple drinks. Add some flowers, comfy chairs, and custom signs with the name of your coffee shop.
If you want your coffee shop to stand out among competitors, you need to have something unique about it. Maybe it’s a completely vegan coffee shop. Maybe you change your flavors on a monthly basis. Or maybe you focus on sustainability.
Creating a brand and having a unique aspect to your shop will give customers something to remember. For example, if you strictly use recyclable coffee pods in your shop, make that noticeable to your customers. It will make your shop more memorable and appealing knowing that you take steps towards sustainability.
Social media is a game changer when it comes to growing a brand. For your coffee shop to stand out, you need to be on social media. That means Instagram, Twitter, TikTok—the more platforms you are on, the more memorable your shop will be.
Create a brand on social media and interact with your followers. You will want to post frequently, so make sure you use a content calendar to keep track of your various social media platforms and when you are supposed to post. The more active you are on social media, the more likely customers will be to choose you for their morning cup of joe.
Your coffee shop doesn’t have to just be a place where people go to get a cup of coffee. It can be the location of a live music performance, a poetry reading, work event, and so much more. Hosting events at your coffee shop will attract customers and give you an opportunity to promote your brand. Have coffee and baked goods available at the events and the people who attend will see just how great your shop is. You can create flyers about the event and post them up around town or send out emails.
Opening up your very own coffee shop is an extremely exciting time. But it also comes with the struggle of needing your coffee shop to stand out among all the others. While it might be challenging, it’s completely doable as long as you stay creative and dedicated throughout the entire journey.