3 answers
Rachel
Student
Orrville, Ohio
1
Question
Asked
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What Tips Do You Have for a Business Proposal? #Spring25
Hey there!
I've been dreaming of owning my own coffee shop for a long time. I have branding and a five year plan. What tips do you have for a business proposal, or what tips do you have about running a business in general (I have some experience as I run Queen Anne's Lace Publishing right now).
3 answers
Melanie Leeper
Qsr manager
1
Answer
Hudson, Florida
Updated
Melanie’s Answer
Positive attitudes and consistency is what keeps customers coming back. Your team members are the working force that keeps your business alive. Take care of them, and you'll be a force to be reckoned with. If your team is taken good care of, they will put their all into their work for you and remain loyal.
Hire the right team
Set goals with team members individually to discover where they excel
Give individual responsibilities
Positive reinforcement
Send top employees out to market and be the face
Melanie recommends the following next steps:
Rikke Øllgaard Ussing
Director for Channel Digital Sales Enablement
4
Answers
Geneva, Switzerland
Updated
Rikke’s Answer
Your dream is amazing, and having your branding and a five-year plan ready sets you ahead of the game. With your experience from Queen Anne's Lace Publishing, you're already familiar with some business basics, which is a great advantage. Here's how you can boost your business proposal and gear up for a successful coffee shop venture:
**Tips for a Winning Business Proposal (Especially for a Coffee Shop)**
1. **Start with a Captivating Executive Summary:** Share your vision and what makes your shop stand out, like focusing on sustainability, local sourcing, or a bookish theme that ties in your publishing roots.
2. **Include a Clear Mission and Five-Year Plan Snapshot.**
3. **Know Your Market and Location:** Do market research, like foot traffic, competition, and target demographics.
4. **Define Your Niche:** Highlight what makes your coffee shop unique in your area.
5. **Brand Identity:** Present your branding clearly—name, logo, design vision, and tone of voice. Show how this connects with your ideal customer emotionally.
6. **Menu and Services:** Outline a sample menu with trends like plant-based options or signature drinks. Consider add-ons like small events, community nights, or book signings.
7. **Financial Projections:** Provide 3–5 years of projected income/expenses, break-even analysis, and funding needs. Be honest and clear.
8. **Operations Plan:** Cover staffing, training, hours, supplier relationships, inventory systems, and POS tools. Explain how you'll ensure quality and a great customer experience.
9. **Marketing Strategy:** Plan for social media, grand opening ideas, and loyalty programs. Use your publishing audience—they’re already part of your brand.
10. **Risk Assessment and Contingency Planning:** Identify potential challenges and how you’ll adapt.
**Tips for Running a Coffee Shop (With Your Background in Mind)**
- **Use Your Publishing Skills:** Your storytelling and design skills can help create a strong narrative and consistent brand across signage, social media, and décor.
- **Build Community:** Make your coffee shop a welcoming place, not just a drink spot. Host poetry readings, writing workshops, or art nights to invite your audience in.
- **Staff Culture is Key:** Good coffee is expected, but the vibe keeps people coming back. Ensure friendly baristas, a clean space, and personal touches like remembering names.
- **Track Data Early:** Use simple tools to monitor sales trends, customer preferences, and staff performance. Even a basic spreadsheet can help before investing in complex systems.
- **Adapt, Don’t Over-Extend:** Start with essentials, then grow based on feedback. Don’t try to do too much too soon—consistency builds momentum.
You've got a solid foundation and the creativity to make your coffee shop a success. Keep pushing forward, and soon you'll see your dream come to life!
**Tips for a Winning Business Proposal (Especially for a Coffee Shop)**
1. **Start with a Captivating Executive Summary:** Share your vision and what makes your shop stand out, like focusing on sustainability, local sourcing, or a bookish theme that ties in your publishing roots.
2. **Include a Clear Mission and Five-Year Plan Snapshot.**
3. **Know Your Market and Location:** Do market research, like foot traffic, competition, and target demographics.
4. **Define Your Niche:** Highlight what makes your coffee shop unique in your area.
5. **Brand Identity:** Present your branding clearly—name, logo, design vision, and tone of voice. Show how this connects with your ideal customer emotionally.
6. **Menu and Services:** Outline a sample menu with trends like plant-based options or signature drinks. Consider add-ons like small events, community nights, or book signings.
7. **Financial Projections:** Provide 3–5 years of projected income/expenses, break-even analysis, and funding needs. Be honest and clear.
8. **Operations Plan:** Cover staffing, training, hours, supplier relationships, inventory systems, and POS tools. Explain how you'll ensure quality and a great customer experience.
9. **Marketing Strategy:** Plan for social media, grand opening ideas, and loyalty programs. Use your publishing audience—they’re already part of your brand.
10. **Risk Assessment and Contingency Planning:** Identify potential challenges and how you’ll adapt.
**Tips for Running a Coffee Shop (With Your Background in Mind)**
- **Use Your Publishing Skills:** Your storytelling and design skills can help create a strong narrative and consistent brand across signage, social media, and décor.
- **Build Community:** Make your coffee shop a welcoming place, not just a drink spot. Host poetry readings, writing workshops, or art nights to invite your audience in.
- **Staff Culture is Key:** Good coffee is expected, but the vibe keeps people coming back. Ensure friendly baristas, a clean space, and personal touches like remembering names.
- **Track Data Early:** Use simple tools to monitor sales trends, customer preferences, and staff performance. Even a basic spreadsheet can help before investing in complex systems.
- **Adapt, Don’t Over-Extend:** Start with essentials, then grow based on feedback. Don’t try to do too much too soon—consistency builds momentum.
You've got a solid foundation and the creativity to make your coffee shop a success. Keep pushing forward, and soon you'll see your dream come to life!
Chaz Terribile
Business Development
8
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Chaz’s Answer
Look into the competition in the area, see what challenges you might face, and understand the typical costs for things like overhead and real estate. This will help you get a clear picture and feel confident about moving forward.
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