Q&A for How to Start a Cafe

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How do you attract customers?

Pete Canalichio
Business Advisor
Pete Canalichio is a Brand Strategist, Licensing Expert, and Founder of BrandAlive. With nearly 30 years of experience at companies such as Coca-Cola and Newell Brands, he specializes in helping brands find the most authentic parts of their story to build a brand strategy. Pete holds an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a BS in Physics from the United States Naval Academy. In 2006, he won an MVP Award from Newell Brands for his contributions to their Global Licensing department. He’s also penned the award-winning book, Expand, Grow, Thrive.

Pete Canalichio

Business Advisor

Expert Answer

Make sure that you really understand your brand story, because your story is the reason you do what you do. When people buy from brands, they want to connect with people based on this reason—it's something they look for in the products or services of the people they buy from. Once you understand your story and communicate that with your target audience, you'll attract people who are interested in learning more about you.

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Question

Would I need a license to set up and run a cafe in my house?

Community Answer

Yes, most likely. Regulations vary from state to state; contact your local health department to discuss your options.

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Question

How do I get customers to come in?

Community Answer

Advertise your cafe to the people living in the area. Make sure it is high quality and make sure your customers like it by giving them the food they like. Pay attention to feedback, and consider sending out a coupon to locals to get them to try your cafe out.

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Question

How can I find a creative name for a coffee shop or cafe?

Community Answer

Use the surroundings of the coffee shop/cafe for cues. For example, a seaside coffee shop could be called "I sea coffee!" You could also name it after the town or street where it's located.

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Question

Is a license necessary?

Community Answer

This depends on which country come from but in the UK you need to have a licence. Contact your local administrative centre for more information.

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Question

Do I need to have a high school diploma or a college degree?

Community Answer

No, you don't need a degree to start a business. However, start-up money is crucial.

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Question

Where can I buy the cheapest coffee machine?

Community Answer

Cheap coffee machines might break down quickly, so it's better to invest in a well-made coffee machine instead. But there are tons of cheap coffee machines online on Amazon or check your local craigslist for a used one.

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Question

What equipment do I need to start a cafe?

Grace SilverCrown

Community Answer

To start off, a coffee and hot chocolate machine and a kettle for tea would be a good start. When you progress a bit more you can look into purchasing things like smoothie machines, crepe makers, waffle irons and a blender to make frappes. Also you'll need a cash register for your transactions.

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Question

Do I have to have an LLC?

Community Answer

No, there are a number of different suits that you can file under (limited liability company, sole-proprietorship, partnership, corporation, nonprofit, or cooperative). Read about each one, and pick whichever suits you best.

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