CoffeeBeanShop

Five Coffee Business Picks

Start and Run a Coffee Bar
by Tom Matzen, Marybeth Harrison - 2002
This book is your basic, cover-it-all book about how to start and run a coffee bar, and it's probably the best book on the market. While you may want to delve into more detail on each subject in other venues, at least Matzen and Harrison make you think about each subject. Layman's language, easy to follow, and includes an appendix of coffee suppliers.

The Small Business Bible: Everything You Need To Know To Succeed In Your Small Business
by Steven D. Strauss - 2004
Since there isn't a wealth of good small coffee business operation books, the next best step is to get into small business operation books. The Small Business Bible teaches new entrepreneurs what works and what doesn't by giving them scores of tips, hints, insider information, and secrets of success. This books is also a reliable, valuable, and insightful resource for established business owners who want to help their businesses continue to grow and succeed. You'll underline, dogear, and refer to it over and over again.

Pour Your Heart into It: How Starbucks Built a Company One Cup at a Time
by Howard Schultz, Dori Jones Yang - 1999
Whether you're an entrepreneur, a manager, a marketer, or a curious Starbucks loyalist, Pour Your Heart into It will let you in on the revolutionary Starbucks venture. CEO Howard Schultz recounts the company's rise in 24 chapters, each of which illustrates such core values as "Winning at the expense of employees is not victory at all." This is a great book to read for coffeeshop owners, as it never hurts to learn how the successful competition made it happen.

My Sister's a Barista: How They Made Starbucks a Home Away from Home
by John Simmons - 2005
...And this is the newest book out about Starbucks, one that might provide even more insight than the previous book as it's more up-to-date. More than a business plan, this book offers how Starbucks built a brand. Additionally, information is disclosed on how the employees fare at Starbucks.

Growing a Business
by Paul Hawken - 1988
Although Growing a Business is a bit old, it sure isn't stale. The philosophy imparted by Paul Hawken is timeless. As part owner of the wildly successful Smith & Hawken, Paul offers a mix of hardheaded business acumen, plain common sense, humor, and warmth as he talks about how to grow your business. A top contender on any business book shelf in our opinions.