Alex & Associates: Business Background, References and Experience
In the '60s Alex & Associates introduced Americans to espresso drinks; now look what's happened!" "Portland Oregonian" Oct. 14, 1993 - full page article.
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Click here to read Alex's Business Bio
- Opened his first coffee shop in Berkeley, Ca. 1969. Because there was no precedent to this business, he learned by making every mistake in the book- so you won't have to make them!
- Opened and operated fifteen coffee shops between 1970 and 1997 (two failures). This taught him the importance of choosing your locations.
- Provided "expertise and inspiration" to some of the biggest players in this field
- Consulted for clients in Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Belgium, South Korea and to over 300 US clients in most of the states.
- Between 1992-1997 was a speaker and seminar presenter for the Coffee Fest Organization.
- Developed the "Espresso Business Success Program" , which shows how to plan, start, design, and operate a successful coffee by the cup retail business. It focuses on how to sell mostly espresso based drinks. That's where the real money is! Combined with personal phone consultation that deals with your specific challenge or opportunity.
- For the last seven years he has helped people all across the country to open and operate their own successful shops and drive-thrus, over two hundred as of July 2005!
What will Alex & Associates do for you?
- Help you to determine if what you are planning to do makes any business sense in the first place;
- Help you tap into UNLIMITED POTENTIAL and develop a PROSPEROUS BUSINESS;
- If it makes sense, then help you to maximize the potential of that opportunity with the least pain and the most of gain! Translation: Prevent you from wasting money on things that do not matter, and show you what to do in order to maximize your sales and profits. Here are the details:
Training and Consulting Programs
Coffee Shop Institute/Barista Training School
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Letters from one of our recent clients:
Our shop is quite a success now. Over the weekend (including Monday) we had a $900 day, a $750 day, and a $600 day. We've also discovered that, instead of the more established competition down the street, WE are now known as "the coffee shop" in town. That is a major accomplishment for so short a time period.
We've already had to hire a few employees to help out with the busier times. This is about 6 months ahead of my projected schedule. Thanks again to you, Mike. (March 2007)----------------
I just wanted to let you know that our shop is becoming very successful. We are apparently thetalk of the town (according to some of our many regulars). On Saturday we had our first $500 day ($550 actually) and today (Sunday) we had a $585 day. All of this only two weeks after opening. Everyone loves the method of foaming you taught us, and they love the coffee also. We are constantly asked which brand of coffee we serve. We even had the girl who didn't like the cold shots in her iced mocha come back today. Naturally we made her fresh shots and she was very pleased. (April 2007)
Tim & Gina from Idaho
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And as far as not to be able to compete against "Starbucks", here is a note from one of my clients:
"A quick note, Alex. Four years in, our shop is still going strong. We won "Best Espresso Drinks in the Triangle" from the independent food critics. And, news of news, the Starbucks store located across the street has decided to shut down this coming Friday. Superior product and superior training does win out in the end. Thanks for all you've done for my business."Mike
****************************"I would just like to thank you for your help and information you gave us . We get nothing but compliments from our customers at how well our drinks taste . You really saved us a lot of time , money , and hardship . Although we have only been open for a couple of weeks we are getting a very good response" .
Again Thanks!
James & Andrea
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"Alex, we had a $1,300 day on Saturday. We never could have done it without you. And only six weeks after opening! Thanks so much!"
Sincerely,
April and Steve
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Please go here to see case studies of mistakes: MISTAKES
please call for references: 503-590-9423
More Letters from some of our former clients:
Dear Alex:
Just to let you know that we did over $900 of business yesterday! In this small town of 18,000, and only two weeks after we opened! Thank you for all your help.
DeWayne & Pamela
Dear Alex:
Hello -- an update you on our progress six month after opening.
Thanks to your expertise in planning, design and training we have been running like a well oiled machine. The biggest thing I noticed was how fast we can move a line as compared to our not far-away competition! This morning we did $175 in about one hour with only two of us behind the counter, and no one waited longer than one minute! Some places I have been have four people working and I had to wait 5 minutes or more to get a simple "latte" and it did not taste as good as ours!
Here are some of the comments that we hear everyday from our customers:
"Your taste is so much better than Starbucks!"
"Your prices are very reasonable and your drinks taste much better than from our competitor down the street (which used to be "Aromas" until they went out of business after we opened)"
"Why does your Latte taste so much better than in the other espresso bars?"
Alex, remember that you trained myself and my people and we never made an espresso before! Now, I would say that my employees are some of the best baristas in town! Some of my customers tell me that Beth (remember her, she does not even drink coffee) makes them even better than me!
The menu that you set up for me is still the same. It is very easy for the customer to understand, and it is certainly "espresso friendly". I raised my prices by 15 cents, and nobody even noticed. We are able to maintain consistently our espresso sales at 80% or better of our total sales by following the techniques that you taught us.
Though our location, as you said, is not the best around, I am very pleased with our progress. I believe that we will hit $1000 a day when it gets colder and the rest of the center is leased out. I am also pleased that we were able to reach our break-even point during the summer months, without any foot traffic and the center leased only 25%.
Sorry I got so wordy. Call you later!
Erich
Espresso Kiosk in large medical facility in WA
Dear Alex:
Your espresso expertise is truly appreciated. You have given us insight to the true meaning of superb coffee taste and service. We are grateful to have found you prior to our Atrium Cafe opening.
Your design of the bar and equipment lay-out was masterful, and we would have certainly missed some health code requirements without your assistance. The design is wonderful, we love having such a spacious work place with the equipment placed perfectly.
We also appreciate your suggestions on the equipment and where to get it. You were able to get us quality equipment at the best price.
The time you spent with us training our crew was truly important and enjoyable. We appreciate your subsequent calls checking to see how things are going, as well.
Again, thank you for your outstanding service.
Sincerely,
Suzanne M
WA
"When I first met Alex, I had no idea about the espresso business. He guided me through all the stages of designing and opening the business. Then he stayed with me for the first few opening days, teaching me and my employees all about the espresso business, from how to build customers, to preparing the drinks and serving customers fast. Now I have two busy stores."
Pat
"I have owned and operated a gourmet coffee store & espresso bar for three years. After taking the Espresso Business Seminar I realized just how ignorant I was about this business. This is the best money that I have ever invested!"
Jackie W
"Espresso Business Success Program" Book & Video Order.
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Please go here to see case studies of mistakes: MISTAKES
If you want to know more, why don't you request our FREE 30 page "How to Make Real Money with Espresso" e-mail report? It will give you some more details and expand on this material.
Here are some of the contents of this report:
1. Where to Start? How much Capital do you need?
2. What Makes a Coffee Concept Successful?
3. What Earnings should you expect?
4. Location: The Key to your Success
5. Effective Marketing of Espresso
6. The Importance of Proper Drink Preparation
Please click here to request this FREE report.
We send it by e-mail ONLY.
We will never give out or share your e-mail address!
For more information, please visit Alex's Business Bio
We will be happy to talk to you, but BEFORE you call please do your home work. Our web site has MOST of the information that you may be seeking but you have to read it. If "you don't have the time", how will you find the time to correct all the mistakes that you will make?
Alex & Assoc.
Phone: 503-590-9423, Pacific time 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
E-mail: alex@espressobusiness.com
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