The View: Renewal
2023 is shaping up to be a year of renewal. I entered the coffee industry in 1993 as the co-author of Java U Business Basics which quickly led to my founding CoffeeTalk Magazine the following year.
This journey in coffee has been both challenging and rewarding beyond belief. Challenging beyond belief in learning the ins and outs of the publishing world and then immersing myself in coffee knowledge and finally passing the Q-Grader exams. Between the roller-coaster ride of being an entrepreneur, the joys of figuring out how to make payroll during tough times, riding out recessions, and then enduring the global pandemic, my skills at thinking outside the box have been tested to the limit and I find myself a changed person.
The most impactful part of the journey has been the connections forged. I have cherished experiencing cultures in 25 countries, all due to coffee travel and forged friendships across the planet. Though Covid put a stop to my favorite part of the journey, finally the time has come to rejoin the coffee community in person, and I can’t wait to be face-to-face again with my coffee family in Portland. See you soon!
by Kerri Goodman
The Pandemic was so 2020, and here we are in 2023, still feeling the effects of the great storm that swept the country.
Three years ago, people were writing off brick-and-mortar cafes, restaurants and air travel and ready to invest in robots, vending machines and RVs. Now we are seeing a reactionary effect of travel with a vengeance, dining out and moving into local cafes to avoid working at home. This thirst for social interaction and escape from home, combined with a large-scale reevaluation of personal priorities, has led to more people chasing their dreams and taking risks they wouldn’t have in the past. This has created an uprising of entrepreneurs and individuals wanting to be their own bosses. As a result, more cafes and coffee shops are popping up nationwide, and espresso culture is spreading even faster as big-city folk relocate and bring their culture to smaller towns.
One path that people are turning to has been franchising. The idea of a ready-made business and a new beginning looks attractive. However, others are looking to forge the path on their own. I’ve had the opportunity to interact with many industry newcomers by teaching classes and giving talks at coffee festivals. This rookie crop brings a lot of enthusiasm and energy to create new things and unique spaces. There is a new wave of coffee people entering the business, and it is exciting to see how they will shape the direction of the industry.
