Coffee anyone? :)

[Shade]

Greetings Room!

I've just started my own little, tiny, fledgling business providing barista services for coffee vans and sites. It came about by accident and I just ran with it (gut feel).

So far, I've managed to navigate business name registration, ABN, intellectual property issues and tax albeit with a view to eventually installing some things (ie trademark application) due to a limited cashflow.

The only glitch thus far is set amounts versus commission. Many people want to pay me via percentage of takings and this blurs the lines in terms of what it is I actually am. Contracts are another thing....people run from them! haha. These elements are things I've not crossed before and is proving to be a learning curve.

Ah but that's another story.

Hello anyway!

[VacuumRobot.com.au]

Hi Shade Big welcome

Dave

[geoffw]

Originally Posted by Shade

The only glitch thus far is set amounts versus commission. Many people want to pay me via percentage of takings and this blurs the lines in terms of what it is I actually am. Contracts are another thing....people run from them! haha. These elements are things I've not crossed before and is proving to be a learning curve.

How can you prove their takings? This could potentially prove a big problem.

My wife works for a travel accommodatin website which has a large reliance on self reporting (though that is changing). On a website, they can generate reports on traffic vs bookings. For a coffee vendor, that can be a problem.

[soliddata]

Originally Posted by Shade

Contracts are another thing....people run from them! haha.

Welcome Shade,

You should get some great advice and friendship here.

Regarding contracts, stick with it. Business is serious, and there are enough potential customers out there to not bother with the ones who won't sign.

Kev

[Burgo]

Welcome to our coffee shoppe, trouble is we have to make our own....

Just a thought, instead of a % of sales why not charge a licence fee and supply the coffee beans which they must use also a rental of the equipment.

They can then earn whatever the market will allow, then they can deduct the licence fee, equipment and beans as a ligitimate business deduction.

Those that run away from a contract are those looking for a quick and easy buck....forget them.........look for those that want to have their own small part time or full time business.

[JennyGeng]

HI,
Most or nearly all, coffee.. are based on cash income. You have no way to trace them. So, for the percentage is a no, for defenite.
Can you give me a bit more picture of how you genrate leads/approached your customers/ promote sales/your expected profits....,one person show or staff employed.
Then, we can go from there.
Personally, I have over 27 years of experience on world-wide and small business.
Now, I am a profit growth specialist, licenced partner of BBI(Better Business Institute). Happy to help.
Jenny
compassbusinessconsulting@hotmail.co

[soliddata]

Originally Posted by Burgo

Welcome to our coffee shoppe, trouble is we have to make our own....

LOL, and what sort of brew do you prepare best Burgo?

:-)

[Burgo]

Hahaha....well according to anyone that has had the experience of one of my coffees...they have described it as almost drinkable.

That is why i enjoy a professioally made coffee anytime.

[soliddata]

Originally Posted by Burgo

Hahaha....well according to anyone that has had the experience of one of my coffees...they have described it as almost drinkable.

LOL

Reminds me of a section from E-Myth - Gerber said you can be less-than-perfect with the coffee you offer, because then you can show how you focus on the important aspects of your customer service (or something like that)...

Kev

[jdaley]

By chance I was speaking with a mobile van coffee maker yesterday.
he explained that for the first 200 coffees he pays nil, to cover set up expences at a venue he is attending for the day.
Then for the next group 200-400 he paid 10%
400 and above 15% of sales.
Does that help?