Make Coffee – Putting Us on the Map
Make Coffee started with a simple idea: fun, affordable latte art workshops for baristas and coffee lovers who want to improve their skills without the jargon or pretentiousness.
Through PNE, Make Coffee connected with BIPC North East Expert’s in Residence Website, Brand and Marketing Expert, Andy Ditchburn and Voice & Communication Coach, Nic Redman for help building their online presence and creating a website to reach more people.
Thanks to this support, Make Coffee is now firmly on the map, connecting with the community and inspiring more people to enjoy coffee culture. Read on to find out more.
Tell us a little bit about your business
I started running occasional latte art workshops as I recognised that there was little to no affordable training for working or home baristas to up their skills and knowledge. The workshops were so popular and well received that I began to run them weekly and saw the opportunity to start my own barista training business, hence Make Coffee was born. I do not employ anyone as of yet but aim to scale the business by training other Barista’s to host more Make Coffee workshops in a wider range of locations. The business provides fun, friendly training that breaks down technical jargon and pretentiousness. I’m a strong believer in cafes being an integral part of community, coffee a part of many people’s morning ritual and the opportunities hospitality can provide to people from all backgrounds and lifestyles. My typical customers are working baristas who are not getting any official training from their employer, and people who have invested in home machines and want to develop their knowledge, skills and confidence using their own equipment. Our motto is Good coffee for everybody, anyone with an interest is welcome.
What support did you seek to help your business grow and develop?
I initially approached PNE and was appointed a business advisor (Shirley Wilson) who has been my biggest cheerleader. I was supported in registering Make Coffee, writing a business plan and developing the business idea into a reality. Through PNE I was introduced to City life, BIPC and the Experts in Residence initiative. I needed support with developing my social media and online presence and building a website to reach a larger audience and legitimise the business.
Who was the Citylife Expert(s) that provided you with support?
Website, Brand and Marketing Expert, Andy Ditchburn
Voice & Communication Coach, Nic Redman
What was the nature of the support they provided?
Andy and Nic have been supporting the tech side of developing my businesses. As a self confessed dinosaur this was the area I needed the most help with.
Nic has been an incredible source of knowledge and information and has met with me twice to discuss issues I was facing with understanding things like Google, online ads, linking social media accounts to each other and understanding analytics and data and how I can apply this to build a better business.
Andy and his fabulous team have built me a website, working with me to ensure it reflects the business and has been incredibly patient and supportive with my lack of skills, taking the time to explain everything which has built up my confidence indefinitely.
Has the support that you have received from the Citylife Business Support Expert(s) helped you to move your business forward? And how?
Absolutely, yes. The support has enabled me to have an online presence which has been crucial in moving the business forwards. The support has literally put Make Coffee on the map, developed the brand and increased my customer base and income.
Has the Citylife support that you received helped to safeguard the future of your business and any employees?
Yes, absolutely. The support has legitimised my business and provided a platform to connect with the community and customers. My income and brand awareness has only increased since the support and safeguarded the future of the business. Without the support I had struggled to promote and share the business with the public, being online is something I massively struggled with but with the help I have received my business is only growing and reaching a larger audience, which in turn provides an income.
How did you find the Citylife Application process?
I was advised by Shirley Wilson from PNE to contact CityLife. The application process was fast and the online form was easy to complete and send.
Would you recommend other businesses get in touch with Citylife?
I absolutely would, and in fact already am! I honestly cannot thank you enough for the support and encouragement I have received. I am humbled by the care and time the experts in residence have given and the confidence they have built within me and the business. I could not recommend CityLife any higher, I highly doubt Make Coffee would be as developed and realised without their help.
