SUMMARY:

This episode is a replay from a few years back, but the conversation is just as relevant today. Aaron Hovivian and Drew Moody dig into what really makes the coffee industry (and any service business) better: humility, shared learning, and healthy competition. Drawing from experiences across independent shops, larger brands, and new market launches, they talk about why seeing the "underbelly" of multiple businesses matters—and how collaboration often beats ego. From community-driven competition to learning from different shop layouts and workflows, the focus stays on staying flexible and open to better ways of doing things.

The episode also goes deep on barista development and operations. Aaron and Drew discuss hiring green talent versus experienced staff, the importance of consistency and clear standards, and how systems, training, and SOPs create confident teams and better customer experiences. The core takeaway still holds up: simple, repeatable systems paired with genuine investment in people lead to happier baristas, stronger teams, and businesses that scale without losing their soul.

Minute by Minute:

00:00 Introduction and Welcome Back
01:58 The Value of Diverse Experiences in Coffee
04:02 Healthy Competition in the Coffee Industry
05:55 Collaboration Among Coffee Shops
07:47 Innovative Coffee Shop Designs and Workflows
09:38 Training and Developing Baristas
11:29 The Balance of Experience in Hiring
13:19 Establishing Standards and Consistency
15:17 Creating Raving Fans in Coffee Shops
17:20 Empowering Baristas and Future Leaders

SUMMARY:

This episode focuses on the practical side of manager accountability and why clear, measurable expectations are critical as a business grows. Ben and Drew explain how vague feedback leads to confusion and turnover, while metric-based systems give managers clarity, confidence, and a clear path to improvement.

They share how a quarterly manager report card—built from weekly checklists, audits, and performance metrics—helped them scale multiple locations consistently. By tying accountability to core values, operations, and bonuses, they created a system that improved leadership development, reduced chaos, and made the business easier to run without constant owner involvement.

Minute by Minute:

00:00 Introduction to Manager Accountability
02:40 Practical Tools for Accountability
05:42 Quarterly Report Cards Explained
08:27 Metrics and Performance Tracking
11:19 Building a Robust System
14:11 Leadership Development and Feedback
16:59 Conclusion and Resources

SUMMARY:

In this episode, Ben and Drew discuss the simple systems that help coffee shops stay consistent as they grow. From checklists and aesthetic walk-throughs to customer feedback, they explain how small tools prevent details from slipping and protect the customer experience when owners can't be in every shop every day.

They also share how clear SOPs and manager tools empower teams to run stores with confidence and consistency. The key takeaway: building structure early makes growth easier, reduces stress, and creates a better experience for both customers and staff as your coffee business scales.

Minute but Minute:

00:00 Introduction
02:09 Tools for Managing Coffee Shops
04:07 The Importance of Cleanliness
06:44 Aesthetic Teams and Customer Experience
09:59 Engaging Customers for Feedback
11:18 Creating Checklists and SOPs
17:16 The Magic Binder and Transparency in Management
21:32 Conclusion and Teaser for Part Two

SUMMARY:

In this episode of Coffee Experts Club, Aaron Hovivian and Ben Clatterbuck break down how coffee shop owners should think about drink pricing and profitability beyond simply covering costs. Drawing from Ben's experience scaling a multi-location coffee brand, they explain why knowing your numbers, setting a clear profit benchmark, and pricing with intention are critical to running a sustainable business.

The conversation covers practical strategies like using a 3x cost-of-goods baseline, leveraging loss leaders, managing high-margin items, and handling add-ons like alternative milks. They also discuss how to raise prices gradually, account for rising costs, and avoid customer sticker shock, giving operators a clear, realistic approach to protecting margins without hurting demand.

Minute by Minute:

00:00 Introduction to Coffee Business Dynamics
03:07 Understanding Profitability in Coffee Shops
06:01 Pricing Strategies and Market Competition
08:55 The Role of Loss Leaders in Attracting Customers
11:48 Managing Alternative Milk Costs
14:42 Incremental Price Increases and Consumer Perception
17:27 Navigating Rising Costs and Market Trends

SUMMARY:

In this episode of Coffee Experts Club, Aaron Hovivian, Ben Clatterbuck, and Drew Moody break down one of the toughest realities coffee shop owners face: rising costs and the need to raise prices without losing customers. They discuss how minimum wage increases, higher labor costs, and rising commodities impact margins—and why avoiding price adjustments only leads to bigger, more painful increases later.

The conversation focuses on practical strategies to stay profitable while remaining competitive, including understanding true drink costs, making incremental price changes, and actively monitoring local competitors' pricing. The takeaway is clear: price increases are unavoidable, but when handled thoughtfully and backed by data, they can protect margins, maintain customer trust, and even create opportunities to compete more strategically in your market.

Minute by Minute:

00:00 Beard Banter and New Beginnings
02:28 Navigating Price Increases in Coffee Shops
09:07 Strategies for Adjusting Menu Prices
13:46 Competitive Pricing and Market Research

SUMMARY:

In this episode of Coffee Experts Club, the team breaks down how coffee shops can protect market share in increasingly competitive markets by leaning into one powerful differentiator: generosity. Using real-world examples, they discuss holiday "deal days," food drives, gift card promotions, exclusive merch, and community-focused giveaways as proven ways to drive traffic, deepen loyalty, and stay top of mind during slower months. The conversation highlights why local shops can win where big chains can't, by being personal, flexible, and genuinely invested in their communities.

The episode also emphasizes that generosity starts internally. Baristas are positioned as the first customers and strongest brand ambassadors, making employee bonuses, tip-focused promotions, and even tip-matching days critical to long-term success. By creating a culture where staff and customers both feel valued and involved, coffee shops can turn the holidays into a launchpad for stronger January sales, better retention, and a true "third place" experience that customers want to belong to,not just buy from.

Minute by Minute:

00:00 Welcome Back
01:08 Navigating Competition in the Coffee Market
03:01 The Importance of Generosity in Business
05:56 Creating Memorable Deal Days
08:53 Engaging Customers Through Community and Generosity
11:36 Innovative Ideas for Barista Appreciation
14:37 Setting Yourself Apart in the Coffee Industry
17:30 Final Thoughts on Generosity and Community Engagement

SUMMARY:

Aaron Hovivian and Drew Moody reflect on the emotional and operational reality of relocating their original coffee shop in San Ignacio, Belize. They share the nostalgia tied to a first location, the nerves that come with change, and the reminder that pregame jitters never disappear—no matter how experienced you are. Moving the business, even just across the street, brings both excitement and uncertainty, and that tension is part of what makes entrepreneurship meaningful.

The conversation also explores the deeper lessons behind setbacks, failed ventures, and hard-earned growth. Aaron and Drew emphasize that resilience, storytelling, community involvement, and trusted partnerships are critical when navigating change. The episode reinforces a simple truth: progress requires discomfort, but the reward is building something that's truly yours and worth standing behind.

Minute by Minute:

00:00 Welcome and Celebrations
01:19 The Heartbreak of Relocation
03:30 Nostalgia and Memories of the First Location
06:28 Facing the Unknown: Opening New Locations
09:34 The Journey of Entrepreneurship
12:46 Lessons from Pain and Loss
15:22 The Excitement of New Beginnings
17:29 Crafting Your Story for the Community
19:48 Preparing for the Move
21:58 Building Relationships with Vendors

SUMMARY:

This episode centers on how independent coffee shop owners can stay agile, challenge old habits, and make strategic decisions that drive long-term growth. Aaron, Ben, and Drew open with real stories from operating in Belize—power outages, broken AC, and the realities of running shops in a tropical environment. Those challenges set the stage for a deeper discussion on why small coffee companies have a unique advantage: the ability to pivot quickly.

The team talks through examples ranging from shifting to energy drink soda guns to save tens of thousands, to rethinking when repairs stop being smart and a full equipment replacement becomes the better move. They highlight how many owners stay stuck in "single-shop thinking," even when they've grown to multiple locations, and how that mindset can block opportunities and cost savings.

Minute by Minute:

00:00 Welcome Back to Belize
02:13 Strategic Decision-Making in Coffee
06:11 Innovative Solutions and Cost Savings
10:12 Challenging the Norms in Business
14:10 The Importance of Agility and Adaptation
18:09 Embracing Change and New Ideas