Wake Up and Smell the Profit
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Product Description
Review
'A quite brilliant new book on cafe operation.' --Coffee House Magazine
Review
...a quite exceptional new book from Ireland's Coffee Boys,...in it they bring together their favourite stories and wake-up calls, from what has sometimes been hard-won experience...the most meaningful work on coffee retailing since Sahar Hashemi wrote about how she founded Coffee Republic.'
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
103 of 103 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A little story (and stories sell as you'll find out from Hugh and Johnnie)
I decided, like so many wage-slave dreamers, to finally take the big step and set up my own coffee bar about two years ago. I bought all the slightly tedious books that were out there about setting up coffee shops and worked my way through them. I also pored through the various bits of "set up a business" guff from the banks and then read a few "Go on, you can do it..." motivational books.
Armed with a remortgage, a nervous wife, our savings and a healthy slice of naiveté I opened my coffee bar. None of the books that I read or indeed none of the advice I received was wrong - it just wasn't enough. It just didn't fully prepare me for how bloody hard it is to make money out there and how far from being the idyllic lifestyle and dream it actually is.
I lost a clean fortune in the first two years (well a fortune to me anyway) and gradually realised that this is pretty much exactly what everyone does. I then chanced upon this book by the Ireland's "Coffee Boys" after seeing them speak at a conference. It may not be filled with lots of plans or tedious checklists but these guys really, really know their stuff.
Suddenly it felt like it was all "okay". It felt like here were people who really knew what they were talking about. They had either personally owned or advised dozens of businesses. They hadn't just written a book based on one personal example or because they'd been to business school. They'd made all the mistakes and come out the other side battered and bruised but capable of knowing exactly what it takes to make money in this type of business - even if you have a Starbucks or a Costa opening up right beside you. And they wrote in a refreshingly honest and entertaining way.
So armed with my new "friend" I have set about restructuring my little business in a number of crucial ways. I have finally understood that it is "about the money" and not about ego as they keep emphasising. I have finally understood the importance of stars on the menu, telling stories, keeping my eyes on the costs (every pound isn't equal don't forget) and indeed how to avoid "sour faced hags" and the "Grannie rule".
I walk the shop every day like a customer and have my staff do the same. I now have spotless toilets and have totally changed my customer flow. It's all common sense really but you sometimes need a book like this to keep the common sense at the forefront of your mind and keep some perspective from the madness and claustrophobia of running a coffee bar.
So what's wrong with it? Well I wish it was longer and I wish they had maybe shown a couple of physical examples in the direct marketing section. I also wish they'd give a little more information on recruiting and retaining staff. That continues to be a huge issue for me. But I'm nitpicking really.
So if you currently own or are vaguely thinking of opening a coffee bar or any type of coffee shop you really should buy this. It could save you a lot of money. I only wish it had been out when I was first opening my shop.
I decided, like so many wage-slave dreamers, to finally take the big step and set up my own coffee bar about two years ago. I bought all the slightly tedious books that were out there about setting up coffee shops and worked my way through them. I also pored through the various bits of "set up a business" guff from the banks and then read a few "Go on, you can do it..." motivational books.
Armed with a remortgage, a nervous wife, our savings and a healthy slice of naiveté I opened my coffee bar. None of the books that I read or indeed none of the advice I received was wrong - it just wasn't enough. It just didn't fully prepare me for how bloody hard it is to make money out there and how far from being the idyllic lifestyle and dream it actually is.
I lost a clean fortune in the first two years (well a fortune to me anyway) and gradually realised that this is pretty much exactly what everyone does. I then chanced upon this book by the Ireland's "Coffee Boys" after seeing them speak at a conference. It may not be filled with lots of plans or tedious checklists but these guys really, really know their stuff.
Suddenly it felt like it was all "okay". It felt like here were people who really knew what they were talking about. They had either personally owned or advised dozens of businesses. They hadn't just written a book based on one personal example or because they'd been to business school. They'd made all the mistakes and come out the other side battered and bruised but capable of knowing exactly what it takes to make money in this type of business - even if you have a Starbucks or a Costa opening up right beside you. And they wrote in a refreshingly honest and entertaining way.
So armed with my new "friend" I have set about restructuring my little business in a number of crucial ways. I have finally understood that it is "about the money" and not about ego as they keep emphasising. I have finally understood the importance of stars on the menu, telling stories, keeping my eyes on the costs (every pound isn't equal don't forget) and indeed how to avoid "sour faced hags" and the "Grannie rule".
I walk the shop every day like a customer and have my staff do the same. I now have spotless toilets and have totally changed my customer flow. It's all common sense really but you sometimes need a book like this to keep the common sense at the forefront of your mind and keep some perspective from the madness and claustrophobia of running a coffee bar.
So what's wrong with it? Well I wish it was longer and I wish they had maybe shown a couple of physical examples in the direct marketing section. I also wish they'd give a little more information on recruiting and retaining staff. That continues to be a huge issue for me. But I'm nitpicking really.
So if you currently own or are vaguely thinking of opening a coffee bar or any type of coffee shop you really should buy this. It could save you a lot of money. I only wish it had been out when I was first opening my shop.
29 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
If you have a business, any business, and you're not rich, and you don't know why, or if you have ever thought, "I'm really good at what I do, why am I not more successful"..... this book was written for you. I come at this from a slightly odd angle. I have nothing to do with the cafe business. I'm a photographer. I was looking for marketing books when I came across this gem. What this book spells out is that the ability to make the best coffee in the world and the ability to run a successful coffee business are two distinct things. I have concentrated for years on taking better photographs and assumed the business would run itself....afterall I am a photographer. Not so. What this book lays out in the simplest forms is that so many of think the normal "rules" don't apply to us as we're busy doing what we do best. It is the wake up call. This book is more relevant to me than a lot of books written specifically for photographers. A lot of it may seem painfully obvious, but it works. I wish it had been written years ago.
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
John Richardson & Hugh Gilamartin have laid down the fundamentals of the coffee business with the tone of an informal chat. They obviously have first hand experience of the subject, as I can relate to every single point they make(I manage a coffee shop/restaurant). Some of the chapters, or lessons, had me cringing with the realisation that I have been making some very simple errors in my business, while others had me grinning to the point of smugness that I'm getting a lot right too. Hugh & John's 'true stories' punctuate the book, giving practical examples of each important message. Anybody in the industry, or considering doing so should check in with these guys asap. INDISPENSABLE ADVICE!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great, funny book with a serious message
This book is excellent and has plenty of little nuggets of knowledge within, delivered in a zany style.
It is easy to read and straight forward.
It is easy to read and straight forward.
Published 8 days ago by Mrs B
An absolute MUST....
Well, I stumbled across the Coffeeboys name on a boards discussion where a coffee shop owner suggested reading their books if you're really serious about opening a cafe. Read more
Published 13 months ago by pgcoffee
fun and useful
A fun business book is quite a rare pearl, and this it. It's gives you a good, no-nonsense overview on the subject, it obviously doesn't cover all you need to know on opening a... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Ileana
Hot & Delicious
Wake Up & Smell The Profit is an easy-to-read guide that should be picked up by business owners anywhere. I don't just mean coffee shop owners. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Paul Hollins
Wake Up All Ye Business Owners
This highly illuminating book just demonstrates why so many businesses that purport to "serve" the public struggle along week in week out barely existing. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Michael T
Best Business Tips I've Ever Read
I've been involved with Internet marketing for many years and read tons of tips for marketing your business. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Martyn Brown
Where a cup of coffee means business success!
As business books go this is a joy to read. The 52 steps approach means you can pick it up and lay it down as your time dictates. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Ian Greenwood "www.iangreenwood.co.uk"
Easy To Follow Great Advice
I like the author's approach to business and was keen to read this book even though I am not in the coffee business. Read more
Published 17 months ago by D. J. Lee
Simples !!
Not yet finished reading this one - impressed so far - I am determined to survive during this downturn and the advice already gleaned will help enormously - I am passionate about... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Cafe Treff
Great book that keeps getting better
We opened our Cafe nearly 18 months ago and although we'd been in the hospitality business for many years, we had never owned our own. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Jam Licker
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