553: Career Success, Hospitality, and Cafe Culture w/ Akaash Saini

553: Career Success, Hospitality, and Cafe Culture w/ Akaash Saini

Author: Chris Deferio July 28, 2025 Duration: 57:57

How we grow in the coffee industry will determine how we lead and how we influence those around us. Our guest today has developed a career that has allowed him to not only grow himself into one with a broad and practical perspective on the industry, but to also help others grow their cafes and themselves. I am thrilled to get to chat with, Akaash Saini! 

As the Northwest Sales Manager for La Marzocco, Akaash has  over 15 years of varied experience, having touched nearly every aspect of the coffee world. His journey began as a barista in Seattle, then moved into key positions at Equator Coffees across marketing, events, and wholesale. He's also deeply familiar with equipment from Wilbur Curtis, Schaerer Bean-to-Cup machines, and Ground Control, and brings insights from green coffee sales and import with Port of Mokha.

A certified Q-Grader and a former Regional Brewers Cup Champion, Akaash's passion for beverages even led him to explore wine during the pandemic, working part-time at a Brooklyn wine shop.

We discuss:

  • Akaash's entry into coffee
  • Career development and using opportunities well
  • Technology and innovation
  • The importance of being intentional and engaged
  • Cafe leadership and training
  • Coffee shop culture and what is common amongst successful cafes
  • Advice for professionals on how to create or use opportunities 

Links:

Instagram @akaashsaini 

 

KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS! 

Are you a coffee shop owner looking to join a community of other owners to help bring perspective, insight, encouragement, and accountability in a well curated setting? 

Then you need to apply to join Key holder Coaching Groups! 

Applications are now open for fall 2025 Cohort: Click below to learn more: APPLY TO KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS


 

KEYS TO THE SHOP ALSO OFFERS 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING!

If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email 

chris@keystothshop.com

of book a free call now: 

https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min 

 

 


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Running a coffee shop is about so much more than pulling great shots. It's a complex dance of craft, culture, and commerce that demands a unique kind of leadership. That's the space where Keys To The Shop : Equipping Coffee Shop Leaders lives. Hosted by Chris Deferio, this podcast digs into the real, often unspoken challenges faced by owners, managers, and aspiring leaders in the specialty coffee world. Each conversation moves beyond abstract theory to deliver concrete, usable strategies you can apply directly to your operation. You'll hear from a diverse range of voices, including seasoned coffee professionals and insightful experts from other fields, all focused on the practicalities of building a thriving business. Episodes tackle the full spectrum of running a shop, from daily systems and financial health to fostering a positive team environment and developing your own skills as a leader. The aim is to provide a genuine resource for growth, whether you're looking to refine your barista program, improve your shop's profitability, or scale your vision thoughtfully. Tune in for honest discussions that equip you with more than just inspiration-they offer the tangible keys to building a better, more sustainable coffee business. This podcast understands that your passion is for coffee, but your success depends on mastering the craft of leadership.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Keys To The Shop : Equipping Coffee Shop Leaders
Podcast Episodes
SHIFT BREAK! How Does Your Staff Know They Are Doing a Good Job? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:31
In our world of coffee shops we feel if we can get through the day without too many disasters or fires that we are doing well. The people we put into various roles adopt a similar mindset of avoidance of bad is equal to…
570: Myths Baristas Believe Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:19
At this show we believe that the onus for setting people up for success and being the chief servant of those above them is squarely on the leader or owner of the cafe. they have more power, say, and responsibility. With…
SHIFT BREAK! The New Classic Cafe: An Era of Understated Excellence [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:12
Coffee shops come in all shapes, styles, sizes, and focus on many different aspects of social experience and craft. If we look back we can see that certain themes emerge. Whether it is the 90's coffee shop with bold colo…
SHIFT BREAK! How Well Do You Know Your Business? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:11
The only way to really know how your business is doing, is to know how your staff are doing. Do you know, to the person, how each staff member is doing with service, hospitality, and skill in crafting coffee? This seems…
SHIFT BREAK! When To Break The Rules [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:19
The great Danny Meyer said, "Policies are nothing more than guidelines to be broken for the benefit of our guests". I come back to this idea often when trying to balance the tension between the need for structure and bou…
566: The Problem With Systems [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:53
Systems are a necessary part of running a great coffee shop, but they do not make the shop great. As much as I talk about systems and structures on this show, the truth is, there are some problems with even the best syst…