Choosing Better Partners
Women’s Small Business Meetings on the 2nd Tuesday of the month
At our recent Women's Small Business meeting, we took time to reflect on the importance of our why. For us, that purpose is clear: with a mission of “Fueling Dreams One Cup at a Time,” our why has always centered on supporting the community we serve. Every decision we make—whether it’s choosing local partners, hosting educational events, or creating a welcoming space—is rooted in that commitment.
There’s an unfortunate truth in the coffee industry: it’s nearly impossible to run a shop without working with large corporations in some form or fashion. To keep costs realistic, we’ve had to order certain products or services from big businesses. But a recent series of experiences has reminded us why one of our core values—working with small businesses whenever possible—matters so much.
For convenience, we entrusted our payroll to a huge corporate provider. The result? Our staff didn’t get paid on time, and as a small business owner, I had no real way to hold a massive conglomerate accountable. Similarly, one of the nation’s largest restaurant distributors often sends us poorly packaged goods—broken bottles, ripped bags, smashed containers. Their prices are hard to beat, but their care and accountability are lacking.
Recently, a mid-sized company reached out claiming that “tons of their customers” recommended we collaborate. Based on their location, I knew this was unlikely. When I asked them for names so I could personally thank those customers, they couldn’t provide a single one. That moment made something clear: we need to hold large corporations to the same standard of honesty and accountability we expect from small and mid-sized partners.
So here’s what we’re doing:
Payroll has been moved to our local bookkeeper, P&L Services.
We’re actively exploring smaller point-of-sale systems to replace the billion-dollar company we currently use.
We’re seeking alternatives for syrups, sauces, and other products to better align with our values.
What does this mean for you?
Some recipes and products will likely change as we shift vendors.
Most importantly, we’re introducing something new: Transparent Pricing.
By next month, your drink price will reflect what you order. If you ask for less syrup, you’ll pay less. If you order a drink with extra, extra caramel, the price will increase slightly to reflect the true cost of quality ingredients and service. In other words—you’ll pay for what you get, no more and no less.
We believe this approach is fair, honest, and aligned with the kind of community-focused business we want to be.