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Coffee Business Foundations: A New Business Consulting Accelerator

Coffee Business Foundations: A New Business Consulting Accelerator

Original price was: $3,975.00.Current price is: $2,995.00.

Overview

This comprehensive program is designed for founders launching or scaling an independent coffee shop or roastery. It’s a hands-on, strategic roadmap grounded in real-world operations, independent business dynamics, and brand-building in a rapidly shifting industry.

This service is based on a monthly retainer, which starts with initial 30-Day retainer for the first month and includes a comprehensive onboarding and roughly 15 hours of One-on-One consultation. Normal hourly rate is $225/hr for reference, this first month also includes our Coffee Business Start-Up Workshop, Success in Specialty Coffee eBooks and Customized Presentation Business Plan (a $999 value) future months will be billed separately. Future months to be negotiated by scope.

Book a strategy call to learn more: https://calendly.com/matt-milletto/30min

Phase 1: FOUNDATION & CLARITY

This phase aligns vision, brand, and operational strategy. Many failures stem from lack of clarity—this is where we fix that. Example services included in Phase 1 is full access to our Coffee Business Start-Up Workshop , monthly retainer can be adjusted to fit the needs of each client.

Key Goals:

  • Define the brand and vision

  • Validate the concept and market fit

  • Lay operational groundwork

Services & Deliverables:

  • Founder Alignment & Brand Story Workshop
    → Unpack motivations, long-term vision, and brand values
    → Translate into positioning that differentiates in a crowded market

  • Concept Development & Business Model Clarity
    → Define café type (neighborhood hub, high-volume commuter, hybrid café/retail, etc.)
    → Evaluate pricing strategy (value-driven, premium, etc.)
    → Clarify revenue mix: retail, wholesale, ecommerce, etc.

  • Menu Strategy
    → Help design a menu that supports margins, equipment needs, and customer flow
    → Connect to trends (plant-based, functional, local sourcing)
    → Advise on portion control and COGS for beverages and food

  • Sourcing & Equipment Guidance
    → Assist in sourcing strategy coffee, milk, alt milks, baked goods, and other key SKUs
    → Guide on sourcing espresso machine, grinders, POS, and small wares, other food service equipment

  • Location & Lease Evaluation
    → Offer strategic input on location, lease review and selection support
    → Evaluate foot traffic, buildout needs, and landlord dynamics
    → Can assist in red-flag spotting and negotiation prep

  • Design & Layout Suggestions
    → Provide design and layout fundamentals and suggestions, ergonomic layout based on menu
    → Interior layout, customer seating and overall environment advisement
    → We can work with your designers and architects to ensure an efficient layout

Phase 2: SYSTEMS & STRATEGY

This phase builds the backend structure for a smooth, sustainable operation.

Key Goals:

  • Build systems for day-to-day success

  • Create cost controls and financial clarity

  • Prepare for launch and team onboarding

Services & Deliverables:

  • Operations Plan + SOP Templates
    → Draft custom workflows: opening/closing, cash handling, cleaning schedules
    → Recommend tech stack: POS, scheduling, inventory management

  • Staffing Structure & Hiring Plan
    → Define org chart (even if it’s lean to start)
    → Draft job descriptions and onboarding flow
    → Hiring best practices: where to post, how to screen
    → Develop employee handbook

  • Business Planning, COGS & Financial Planning
    → Menu cost breakdown and profit margin guidance
    → Forecast fixed vs. variable expenses
    → Start-Up Costs Estimate, Avg. customer ticket, forecasted revenue and expenses
    → P&L basics and tools to track health from day one
    → Presentation Business Plan review and Development, using our template if needed ($499 value)

  • Launch Marketing Strategy
    → Pre-launch checklist for social/email/web
    → Print and Digital Marketing Strategy Outline, Google Business + local SEO guidance
    → Soft open, VIP night, and grand opening playbook

  • Website & Online Presence Review
    → Brand and copy review (or creation assistance)
    → Integrate ecommerce or preorder flows if needed
    → Recommend platform partners if building from scratch

3: LAUNCH, LEAD & LEARN

“Opening is just the beginning. Leading well is what sustains you.”

This phase is about activating all the work, guiding your leadership, and supporting through launch challenges.

Key Goals:

  • Launch smoothly and intentionally

  • Empower and train the team

  • Support founder leadership and mindset

Services & Deliverables:

  • Team Onboarding & Culture Building
    → Guide hiring + offer letter best practices
    → Support creating a healthy culture from day one
    → Integrate training resources via OnlineBaristaTraining.com

  • Training Week & Soft Open Support
    → Help draft schedule and content for pre-opening week
    → Recommend daily goals, role clarity, mock service training (sending a trainer on-site optional)

  • Leadership Coaching & Weekly Founder Calls
    → Weekly or bi-weekly coaching for founder mindset and role clarity
    → Support in navigating burnout, partnerships, or scope creep
    → Live troubleshooting for new challenges

  • Marketing Activation & Community Building
    → Assist in executing soft open, grand opening, and local partnerships (on-site and travel fees apply)
    → PR/media template for local exposure
    → Recommend collaborations with nearby businesses

  • Live Systems Check & Feedback Loop
    → Real-time support during first weeks of operation
    → Review POS reports, labor performance, and menu velocity
    → Adjust workflows or pricing based on live data

What Our Clients Say

The knowledge that we gained at Bellissimo inspired us to aim for the highest levels of coffee excellence, so we decided to train our staff to compete at barista championships. Our baristas won 7 consecutive national barista championships (from 2008 to 2014). Then, at the World Barista Championship they took top honors winning 1st place in 2011, reaching Finals twice (2013 and 2014) and the Semifinals 2 times as well (2010 and 2012).

- Frederico Bolanos
Viva Espresso

Rock Creek Coffee Roasters opened its doors in August 2004 and we owe much of our success to Bellissimo’s knowledge and professionalism. We attended their Barista training course just 4 weeks prior to opening our doors. This was a great help in developing consistent, quality drinks from day one.

- Joel and Peggy Gargaro
Rock Creek Coffee Roasters

Bellissimo helped us gain a better understand of specialty coffee. We already had the passion and drive to do our best, but Bellissimo helped give us the basic tools, knowledge and understanding of how to put it all together. Without Bellissimo, we wouldn’t have had the skill-set to be ready for all that happens when the doors are open. Every day is learning for us, and that is a good thing.

- Aaron Olsen and Kim Anderson
Handlebar Coffee Roasters

I wanted to learn about the coffee business and have some hands-on experience to help me determine if I’d like to have a coffee business. I had sooooo much fun this week. The people who work here are all friendly, knowledgeable, inspired, and encouraging!

- Kristen Denney

I had a really great time last week and learned SO MUCH in such a short amount of time. I definitely feel more confident and prepared to take on my own coffee shop in the near future thanks to you guys!

- Ryan Leckie

Founder Coaching and Consulting

We have been there and done it. Growing a business as a legacy business, or exploring a profitable exit? We are founders and know the importance of cohesive stability in business. We’ve worked in partnerships, family business and with investors, private equity and beyond. We can help you no matter what stage you are at with growth and long term planning.

Concept Development and Startup Planning

We’re ready to work with you from step one to help refine and plan your business. We have helped everyone from serial entrepreneurs opening multiple locations at once to mom and pop duos opening a small coffee cart. Come to us when you want to make sure to avoid any pitfalls in the coffee industry.

Business Evaluation and Optimization

This is the perfect service for when you need to review your business and format a plan for increased profitability and productivity. We will customize our service to fit your concerns, which may be some of the following: Menu | Pricing | Monthly sales | Profit and Loss Statements | Labor and Employee Scheduling | Inventory | Purchases and Ordering Systems | Rent Factor | Hard Expenses | Marketing Strategies | Promotions | Sales Growth

In-Depth Equipment Recommendations

Our trainers and technicians are ready to provide you with cutting edge equipment recommendations tailored to your coffee shop. We are also often able to secure discounts for our clients.

Professional Barista Training

Are you looking to increase the skills or your baristas and management team? We can arrange custom sessions in our lab or on-site training to work with your staff on the technical skills needed to produce high-quality espresso beverages.

Marketing and Social Media Planning

We’ll help you create a plan and style guide unique to your shop that will take the guesswork out of growth. Gain new customers and retain your regulars.

Virtual Strategy and Training Sessions

Meet with your company’s executive and planning committees to develop new strategies or refine old ones.

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