A Guide To Setting Up A Small Coffee Shop

Many young entrepreneurs in Thailand have chosen a coffee shop business. Like any other small business, it has never been easy to set up. Here are some valuable tips to help you make it with your first business venture.

• Funding – It is critical that you crunch the numbers to discover your start-up costs. When you write your business plan, this will reveal that magical number and it’s best for you to add a further 30% to cover unexpected bills. Many small businesses fold due to lack of money, which might be due to the wrong location, poor management or marketing. If you need funding, the online lender can help you obtain a small business start-up loan.

• Digital Marketing – Social media sites need to be exploited, making good use of Facebook’s powerful marketing tools that will help you spread the message. Talk to a local SEO agency and let them formulate a dynamic digital marketing plan that delivers results. Create special promotions and build an Instagram corner where your customers can take photos and always reply to social media comments.

• Hiring Staff – The people you hire must be service-minded. Use a local recruitment agency, a company that will screen all applicants and present you with an interview shortlist. Staff training needs to be ongoing and set up an accurate feedback system so that you can assess the level of service.

• Location – As you would expect, your choice of location is paramount. Spend a great deal of time and acquire a detailed map to see clearly where your business is coming from. Ideally, there would be housing and commercial zones nearby, plus locating on a busy road is always a good move.

• Premium Coffee & Equipment – Of course, your major investment will be your coffee-making machinery and equipment. Take a look at เมนูกาแฟอร่อย ๆ, where you will find everything you need. You should put together a diverse menu that covers many tastes, with tasty bakery and pastry products.

• Create An Identity & An Ambience – Ideally, you want to create a brand, an identity that the customer can relate to. Talk to a leading Thai shop-fitting company about your concept and ask for a quote.

• Business Insurance – Every retail business should have public liability insurance to cover any compensation claims that injured customers might file. As the business owner, it is your job to minimise risk to the venture and if you need any help, talk to an experienced business lawyer. The premises should be covered, along with all stock and equipment.

• Being Competitive – In these difficult days, it is important to remain competitive; you can visit every coffee shop in your region and take note of their menu and prices. Make sure that you are comparable to an average coffee shop, while being prepared to give the customer a unique experience. It is wise to play devil’s advocate and try to find weaknesses in your business plan. For your products, you may want to check out the great กาแฟ robusta, which you can order from the leading online coffee supplier.

If you plan carefully and create a comprehensive business plan, there is every reason to expect a level of success, on which you can build. It might take a few years to become part of the local community and once you are there, you have a sustainable venture.