Costs Don't Always Win
Running a coffee shop?
Get this straight: It's a battleground, not a fairy tale.
You're juggling fire – the fire of unique, soul-grabbing products and the ice-cold reality of costs. But costs aren't the end-all, be-all. Let's cut through the fluff and dive into the real deal.
The Costco Play
Wholesale giants like Costco and Sam's Club?
They're your bread and butter for margins.
Think bottled drinks, protein bars – low effort, high return. But here's the kicker: it's bland for your brand.
You're playing it safe, and safe is forgettable. There's no beautiful experience the customer gets.
And honestly, if they recognize the items from those big box stores, they might start discounting your brand – thinking you're not putting in the effort to serve them well.
Going Local: High Risk, High Reward
Now, local products – that's where the magic happens.
Pastries from that corner bakery are more than food; they're your brand's secret sauce.
But remember, with great taste comes great spoilage. These goods don't last, and neither do their margins.
It's a high-wire act – thrilling but risky.
My Skin in the Game
Here's my play: I started with local pastries, knowing damn well it was a financial sinkhole.
But it was about building a brand, not just a balance sheet.
Then, I mixed in Costco's reliability for the mundane stuff like protein bars, bottled water and sodas, and fresh fruit.
It's not sexy, but it pays the bills.
The Bottom Line
This isn't just about stocking shelves; it's a strategic chess game and you're playing for high stakes. Every product, every item, is a move that can either help or hurt your brand, it's not just any old item your can sell.
Consider this when other folks ask you to stock their products, too. Just because you get a slight kickback doesn't mean you need to keep a shelf of any local maker's tchotchkes who asks you to.
Here’s the hard truth: Play it too safe, blend into the background, and you're just another coffee shop in a sea of sameness.
Going the easy route, sticking to the tried and tested, might keep you afloat, but it won't make you soar.
Conclusion
Wake up and smell the coffee.
In this game, every move is a strategic decision. Make your coffee shop a destination, not a pit stop. It's tough, it's risky, but it's the only way to win in this high-stakes game.
