Consulting Programs

If you are planning to:

Open a Coffee Shop or a Drive-Thru Stand

Start a Coffee Kiosk or Cart

Buy an Existing Coffee Business

Improve Sales of Espresso in Your Existing Business

Then you are in the right place!

Go to List of Available Consulting Programs

The Dean of Beans - Oregonian article 1993

"The Oregonian" 1993

The Coffee Business Is Not a Game of Chance

The more you understand and know about it before you start spending your money, the better your prospects will be. Please go to our home page if you have not seen it: "Espresso Business Success".

Don't make the same mistakes that hundreds of people make when they jump into this business without fully understanding it!

How Our Consulting Service May Benefit You...

Let our clients tell you:

Alex,
We had a record day of $2,000! We did the sales from 9am to 6:30pm. We were rocking! Everything continues to pick up as time passes. Thanks again for your help. Our employees still talk about you. Our second location opens May 13. Thanks again.
Thomas

Alex,
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

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

By the time you are ready to open for business you will have invested around $20,000 just for the basic espresso equipment and some supplies, and from $50,000 up to $250,000+ for a coffee shop or a drive-thru. Not to mention, the many weeks or months of your time.

Considering how much time, money and emotional investment you will put into it, it would be a terrible waste of your money, time and a great loss of opportunity, if you did not know how to plan, execute and conduct your business, so as to generate money instead of losing it?

Don't you agree?

CONSULTING PROGRAMS:

Unless noted, please call 503-590-9423 for pricing.

1. Turn-Key on Location Consulting and Training

2. Basic Consulting - $725.50

3. Mini Basic - Book and Alex's Training DVD - $425.50

4. One, Two or Three-Day Coffee Business and Barista School

5. On-Site Barista Training (Please call 503 590-9423 for information)

6. "Espresso Business Success Program" Book Only - $249.50

7. "Espresso Business Success Program" Book & DVD - $359.50

8. "Espresso Business Success Program" Book & Latte Art DVD - $329.50

9. "Espresso Business Success Program" Book & Espresso 101 DVD & Latte Art DVD - $429.50

10. Over the phone/email advice - $97.00

11. Interior Layout Design - (Please call 503 590-9423 for information)

You can always upgrade to next level Programs after purchase by paying only the difference.

1. Turn-Key on Location Consulting and Training

Here is what we will do:

Consult with you on the suitability of your prospective location to evaluate its potential before you lease it and commit yourself. The location of your shop will be your single most important step. Once you sign the lease it will be too late. By the time you finish the remodeling and the rest, you will put into it anywhere from $60,000-$300,000. It would be financially and emotionally disastrous if after all that money and time invested you realize that you made a mistake in choosing the location. If the location does not make good business sense, we will tell you so. If it is appropriate, we will do our best to help you to succeed.

Design the working part of your shop for speed and efficiency of operation. A wrong design will slow down the service, tire your employees needlessly and upset your customers. This will include the configuration of the counters, the placement of all equipment, plumbing and electric needs, as well as everything necessary to comply with your local health department. We do not get involved in the visual aspects of the shop design and leave that part to you and your architect. Ongoing consultation with your contractor.

Advise you on all the equipment that you will need to operate your shop. This alone may save you thousands of dollars and eliminate all the confusion that can arise by talking to many espresso equipment and other sales people. We help you find the best sources in your area.

Provide you with a complete and detailed list of all supplies that you will need to start your business. This will include coffee, syrups, cups, napkins, etc. We do not sell equipment or products, but will advice you on suppliers in your part of the country that will do the best job for you. This will save you a lot of time that you can better invest in thinking about the decor of your shop or in hiring employees.

Develop a menu that will make sense to your customers. The right kind of menu is your most important marketing tool, and it may determine to a large degree the success of your business. Unfortunately, it is neglected and misunderstood by most coffee shop operators. We have seen "horror" menus without any sense or purpose, some of them listing as many as sixty eight items! Such a menu will not only confuse your customers, but will make it impossible to train your employees in doing a fast and efficient job. This will be a hot, iced and "designer" espresso based drinks menu, as well as advise on pastries, etc.

Develop an "espresso friendly" marketing and pricing strategy so as to sell more espresso based drinks. Why? Because that's where the money is!

On site training. One day before you are ready to open, we will travel to your location, set up your shop ready for opening and remain with you for the next 3 days or so (depending on the location), training you and all your employees in all phases of the operation under actual serving conditions. This will include how to open and close, cash security and control, equipment maintenance, customers and employee relations, ordering supplies and cleaning your shop. One of the most important parts of this training will be on how to prepare superb espresso based drinks fast and efficiently, and how to "hook" your new customers to those drinks and make them want to come back for more!

After the shop is set up and ready to open, we will have an orientation meeting with the owner and employees in order to familiarize them with the "culture" of the coffee business. This step is very important as it will explain what we will try to accomplish, how different we will be from the competition, how to deal with the "non espresso educated" customers, and why it is so critical to focus on espresso.

This last step, on location "franchise like" training without the cost of a franchise, is one of the most important for your success, and you won't learn that from any equipment distributor, coffee roaster or any employee that you may have hired from your competition. Here you will learn what really makes this business "tick" and how to attract initial customers from your competition. The first days after opening you must create a good impression with your customers by providing fast and friendly service and superb-tasting drinks. Only this will insure that they will come back for more!

If you follow our principles you will sell mostly espresso based drinks and not regular coffee. This will put more money in your pocket! While the average independent coffee shops sell only 15-30% espresso based drinks and the rest in brewed coffee, my clients manage to sell over 75% in espresso drinks from their total sales. Who do you think makes more money, someone selling 300 cups of regular coffee a day at $1.25, or 300 cups of espresso based drinks at an average price of $2.45?

The difference may be more than $50,000 a year extra in your pocket!

Please call 503-590-9423 for your investment in this complete "Turn-Key" plan. An exact quote will not include travel expenses (air, hotel) and will vary depending on the location, distance and number of employees to be trained.

If you are investing $80,000-$150,000 to open your coffee business, how much would you pay to prevent mistakes that may cost you tens of thousands?

This may be a more affordable alternative:

Coffee Shop Business School
Three Day Class will Teach You "What to Do and How to Do it!

Return to Program List

2. Basic Consulting Program

Phone Consult and Evaluation:

Consult with you on the suitability of your prospective location to evaluate its potential before you lease it and commit yourself. You would e-mail us some photos of the shop, with a general description of the area, the size of the shop, rent, what lease can you get, what other businesses are next to you. The location of your shop will be your single most important step. Once you sign the lease it will be too late. By the time you finish the remodeling and the rest, you will put into it anywhere from $60,000-$300,000. It would be financially and emotionally disastrous if after all that money and time invested you realize that you made a mistake in choosing the location. If the location does not make sound business sense, we will tell you so. If it is appropriate, we will do our best to help you to succeed.

Design the working part of your shop for speed and efficiency of operation. A wrong design will slow down the service, tire your employees needlessly and upset your customers. This will include the configuration of the counters, the placement of all equipment, plumbing and electric needs, as well as everything necessary to comply with your local health department. We do not get involved in the visual aspects of the shop design and leave that part to you and your architect. Ongoing consultation with your contractor.

Advise you on all the equipment that you will need to operate your shop. This alone may save you thousands of dollars and eliminate all the confusion that may arise by talking to many espresso equipment and other sales people. We help you find the best sources in your area.

Provide you with a complete and detailed list of all supplies that you will need to start your business. This will include coffee, syrups, cups, napkins etc. We will advise you on suppliers in your region that will do the best job for you. This will save you a lot of time that you can better invest in thinking about the decor of your shop or in hiring employees.

Develop a menu that will make sense to your customers. The right kind of menu is your most important marketing tool, and it may determine to a large degree the success of your business. Unfortunately, it is neglected and misunderstood by most coffee shop operators. We have seen "horror" menus without any sense or purpose, some of them listing as many as sixty eight items! Such a menu will not only confuse your customers, but will make it impossible to train your employees in doing a fast and efficient job. This will be a hot, iced and "designer" espresso based drinks menu, as well as advise on pastries, etc.

Develop an "espresso friendly" marketing and pricing strategy so as to sell more espresso based drinks. Why? Because that's where the money is!!

Provide you with Alex's personal "Espresso Business Training" DVD or VHS Start-up package:

This over one hour long video shows exactly what we do when we arrive at a client's location for our "Turn-Key" consulting. It covers the importance of an effective, "espresso focused" menu, together with an explanation of how to market espresso based drinks, especially in areas where espresso is not widely known. The training video will also show how to make the hot and iced drinks properly.

Included with this program is Alex's book "Espresso Business Success Program"

Laminated Recipe Sheets showing how to do all the drinks on the menu.

Phone or e-mail consultation before, during and after the opening of your shop.

Your investment in this Basic Consulting Program is only $725.50
Includes Priority Mail

Return to Program List

3. Mini-Basic Program

"Espresso Business Training" DVD or VHS

"Espresso Business Success Program" Book

Laminated Recipe Sheets showing how to make all the drinks on the menu

Personal over the phone/e-mail consultation

Price of this Program: $425.50
Includes Priority Mail

For an additional $70 we will include the "Espresso 101" DVD - for a total of $495.50
Includes Priority Mail

Note: Does not include the custom shop design/layout.

Return to Program List

Shipping Options:

Priority Mail Included

For Express Mail:
Within the United States - please add $16.20
To Canada - please add $29.00
For overseas and Mexico - please add $32.50

Federal Express offers guaranteed shipping outside the USA to Canada, Mexico and overseas. When choosing Federal Express, please include your FedEx Tracking Number with your order.

Payment Options:

Credit card - order at any time using the on-line secure form or PayPal links below

Phone - Between 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. PST - 866-590-9423 toll-free for orders only

By mail, please send your check or money order to:

Alex & Associates
6107 SW Murray Blvd. PMB 297
Beaverton, OR. 97008

Remember: You can always upgrade to next level Programs after purchase by paying the difference.

Return to Program List

Secure Payment Form:

After you fill in the amount and click the secure payment button, please enter the program that you want if it is not the "Espresso Business Program".

Amount

Please click on Pay Pall button if you wish to process the order through them:

By mail, please send your check or money order to:

Alex & Associates
6107 SW Murray Blvd. PMB 297
Beaverton, OR. 97008

Before calling us about a drive-thru, PLEASE do the home-work we suggest on our Drive-Thru site.

Alex & Associates - Oksana & Michael Fisenko

Phone & Fax: 503-590 9423 - 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. PST

Espresso Business Home Page

For more references and pictures of shops, please go here: References

If you are planning to: Open a Coffee Shop or a Drive-Thru Stand Start a Coffee Kiosk or Cart Buy an Existing Coffee Business Improve Sales of Espresso in Your Existing Business Then you are in the right place! Go to List of Available Consulting Programs
	"The Oregonian" 1993

The Coffee Business Is Not a Game of Chance The more you understand and know about it before you start spending your money, the better your prospects will be. Please go to our home page if you have not seen it: "Espresso Business Success". Don't make the same mistakes that hundreds of people make when they jump into this business without fully understanding it!

How Our Consulting Service May Benefit You... Let our clients tell you: Alex, We had a record day of $2,000! We did the sales from 9am to 6:30pm. We were rocking! Everything continues to pick up as time passes. Thanks again for your help. Our employees still talk about you. Our second location opens May 13. Thanks again. Thomas Alex, 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 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

By the time you are ready to open for business you will have invested around $20,000 just for the basic espresso equipment and some supplies, and from $50,000 up to $250,000+ for a coffee shop or a drive-thru. Not to mention, the many weeks or months of your time. Considering how much time, money and emotional investment you will put into it, it would be a terrible waste of your money, time and a great loss of opportunity, if you did not know how to plan, execute and conduct your business, so as to generate money instead of losing it? Don't you agree?

CONSULTING PROGRAMS: Unless noted, please call 503-590-9423 for pricing. 1. Turn-Key on Location Consulting and Training 2. Basic Consulting - $725.50 3. Mini Basic - Book and Alex's Training DVD - $425.50 4. One, Two or Three-Day Coffee Business and Barista School 5. On-Site Barista Training (Please call 503 590-9423 for information) 6. "Espresso Business Success Program" Book Only - $249.50 7. "Espresso Business Success Program" Book & DVD - $359.50 8. "Espresso Business Success Program" Book & Latte Art DVD - $329.50 9. "Espresso Business Success Program" Book & Espresso 101 DVD & Latte Art DVD - $429.50 10. Over the phone/email advice - $97.00 11. Interior Layout Design - (Please call 503 590-9423 for information) You can always upgrade to next level Programs after purchase by paying only the difference.

1. Turn-Key on Location Consulting and Training Here is what we will do: Consult with you on the suitability of your prospective location to evaluate its potential before you lease it and commit yourself. The location of your shop will be your single most important step. Once you sign the lease it will be too late. By the time you finish the remodeling and the rest, you will put into it anywhere from $60,000-$300,000. It would be financially and emotionally disastrous if after all that money and time invested you realize that you made a mistake in choosing the location. If the location does not make good business sense, we will tell you so. If it is appropriate, we will do our best to help you to succeed. Design the working part of your shop for speed and efficiency of operation. A wrong design will slow down the service, tire your employees needlessly and upset your customers. This will include the configuration of the counters, the placement of all equipment, plumbing and electric needs, as well as everything necessary to comply with your local health department. We do not get involved in the visual aspects of the shop design and leave that part to you and your architect. Ongoing consultation with your contractor. Advise you on all the equipment that you will need to operate your shop. This alone may save you thousands of dollars and eliminate all the confusion that can arise by talking to many espresso equipment and other sales people. We help you find the best sources in your area. Provide you with a complete and detailed list of all supplies that you will need to start your business. This will include coffee, syrups, cups, napkins, etc. We do not sell equipment or products, but will advice you on suppliers in your part of the country that will do the best job for you. This will save you a lot of time that you can better invest in thinking about the decor of your shop or in hiring employees. Develop a menu that will make sense to your customers. The right kind of menu is your most important marketing tool, and it may determine to a large degree the success of your business. Unfortunately, it is neglected and misunderstood by most coffee shop operators. We have seen "horror" menus without any sense or purpose, some of them listing as many as sixty eight items! Such a menu will not only confuse your customers, but will make it impossible to train your employees in doing a fast and efficient job. This will be a hot, iced and "designer" espresso based drinks menu, as well as advise on pastries, etc. Develop an "espresso friendly" marketing and pricing strategy so as to sell more espresso based drinks. Why? Because that's where the money is! On site training. One day before you are ready to open, we will travel to your location, set up your shop ready for opening and remain with you for the next 3 days or so (depending on the location), training you and all your employees in all phases of the operation under actual serving conditions. This will include how to open and close, cash security and control, equipment maintenance, customers and employee relations, ordering supplies and cleaning your shop. One of the most important parts of this training will be on how to prepare superb espresso based drinks fast and efficiently, and how to "hook" your new customers to those drinks and make them want to come back for more! After the shop is set up and ready to open, we will have an orientation meeting with the owner and employees in order to familiarize them with the "culture" of the coffee business. This step is very important as it will explain what we will try to accomplish, how different we will be from the competition, how to deal with the "non espresso educated" customers, and why it is so critical to focus on espresso. This last step, on location "franchise like" training without the cost of a franchise, is one of the most important for your success, and you won't learn that from any equipment distributor, coffee roaster or any employee that you may have hired from your competition. Here you will learn what really makes this business "tick" and how to attract initial customers from your competition. The first days after opening you must create a good impression with your customers by providing fast and friendly service and superb-tasting drinks. Only this will insure that they will come back for more! If you follow our principles you will sell mostly espresso based drinks and not regular coffee. This will put more money in your pocket! While the average independent coffee shops sell only 15-30% espresso based drinks and the rest in brewed coffee, my clients manage to sell over 75% in espresso drinks from their total sales. Who do you think makes more money, someone selling 300 cups of regular coffee a day at $1.25, or 300 cups of espresso based drinks at an average price of $2.45? The difference may be more than $50,000 a year extra in your pocket! Please call 503-590-9423 for your investment in this complete "Turn-Key" plan. An exact quote will not include travel expenses (air, hotel) and will vary depending on the location, distance and number of employees to be trained. If you are investing $80,000-$150,000 to open your coffee business, how much would you pay to prevent mistakes that may cost you tens of thousands? This may be a more affordable alternative: Coffee Shop Business School Three Day Class will Teach You "What to Do and How to Do it! Return to Program List

2. Basic Consulting Program Phone Consult and Evaluation: Consult with you on the suitability of your prospective location to evaluate its potential before you lease it and commit yourself. You would e-mail us some photos of the shop, with a general description of the area, the size of the shop, rent, what lease can you get, what other businesses are next to you. The location of your shop will be your single most important step. Once you sign the lease it will be too late. By the time you finish the remodeling and the rest, you will put into it anywhere from $60,000-$300,000. It would be financially and emotionally disastrous if after all that money and time invested you realize that you made a mistake in choosing the location. If the location does not make sound business sense, we will tell you so. If it is appropriate, we will do our best to help you to succeed. Design the working part of your shop for speed and efficiency of operation. A wrong design will slow down the service, tire your employees needlessly and upset your customers. This will include the configuration of the counters, the placement of all equipment, plumbing and electric needs, as well as everything necessary to comply with your local health department. We do not get involved in the visual aspects of the shop design and leave that part to you and your architect. Ongoing consultation with your contractor. Advise you on all the equipment that you will need to operate your shop. This alone may save you thousands of dollars and eliminate all the confusion that may arise by talking to many espresso equipment and other sales people. We help you find the best sources in your area. Provide you with a complete and detailed list of all supplies that you will need to start your business. This will include coffee, syrups, cups, napkins etc. We will advise you on suppliers in your region that will do the best job for you. This will save you a lot of time that you can better invest in thinking about the decor of your shop or in hiring employees. Develop a menu that will make sense to your customers. The right kind of menu is your most important marketing tool, and it may determine to a large degree the success of your business. Unfortunately, it is neglected and misunderstood by most coffee shop operators. We have seen "horror" menus without any sense or purpose, some of them listing as many as sixty eight items! Such a menu will not only confuse your customers, but will make it impossible to train your employees in doing a fast and efficient job. This will be a hot, iced and "designer" espresso based drinks menu, as well as advise on pastries, etc. Develop an "espresso friendly" marketing and pricing strategy so as to sell more espresso based drinks. Why? Because that's where the money is!! *Provide you with Alex's personal "Espresso Business Training" DVD or VHS Start-up package:* This over one hour long video shows exactly what we do when we arrive at a client's location for our "Turn-Key" consulting. It covers the importance of an effective, "espresso focused" menu, together with an explanation of how to market espresso based drinks, especially in areas where espresso is not widely known. The training video will also show how to make the hot and iced drinks properly. Included with this program is Alex's book "*Espresso Business Success Program" Laminated Recipe Sheets* showing how to do all the drinks on the menu. Phone or e-mail consultation before, during and after the opening of your shop. Your investment in this Basic Consulting Program is only $725.50 Includes Priority Mail Return to Program List

3. Mini-Basic Program "*Espresso Business Training" DVD or VHS "Espresso Business Success Program" Book Laminated Recipe Sheets* showing how to make all the drinks on the menu Personal over the phone/e-mail consultation Price of this Program: $425.50 Includes Priority Mail For an additional $70 we will include the "Espresso 101" DVD - for a total of $495.50 Includes Priority Mail Note: Does not include the custom shop design/layout. Return to Program List

Shipping Options: Priority Mail Included For Express Mail: Within the United States - please add $16.20 To Canada - please add $29.00 For overseas and Mexico - please add $32.50 Federal Express offers guaranteed shipping outside the USA to Canada, Mexico and overseas. When choosing Federal Express, please include your FedEx Tracking Number with your order. Payment Options: Credit card - order at any time using the on-line secure form or PayPal links below Phone - Between 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. PST - 866-590-9423 toll-free for orders only By mail, please send your check or money order to: Alex & Associates 6107 SW Murray Blvd. PMB 297 Beaverton, OR. 97008 Remember: You can always upgrade to next level Programs after purchase by paying the difference. Return to Program List

Secure Payment Form: After you fill in the amount and click the secure payment button, please enter the program that you want if it is not the "Espresso Business Program". Amount Please click on Pay Pall button if you wish to process the order through them:

By mail, please send your check or money order to: Alex & Associates 6107 SW Murray Blvd. PMB 297 Beaverton, OR. 97008 Before calling us about a drive-thru, PLEASE do the home-work we suggest on our Drive-Thru site. Alex & Associates - Oksana & Michael Fisenko Phone & Fax: 503-590 9423 - 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. PST Espresso Business Home Page For more references and pictures of shops, please go here: References ©2006-2008 Alex Fisenko & Associates - All Rights Reserved