564: Why It's Not the Bricks, It's the Mortar! w/ Mike Cosentino of Big Peach Running Co.

564: Why It's Not the Bricks, It's the Mortar! w/ Mike Cosentino of Big Peach Running Co.

Author: Chris Deferio September 29, 2025 Duration: 1:00:36

Knowing all the information and having all the coolest and best gear does not means your shop will succeed. For the purpose of todays conversation let's just say all the things we assemble under the roof of out shop are just the bricks. What's the mortar that holds t all together? People!

Today we get to chat all about how to focus on people to fuel the best retail experience for both staff and customers alike w/ Mike Cosentino!

Mike Cosentino, CEO of Big Peach. Big Peach is one of the largest and most recognized specialty retailers in North America, with business units spanning the Specialty Running (Big Peach Running Co.) and Bicycling (Big Peach Ride + Run) retail segments. Headquartered in Atlanta, the company serves athletes and fitness enthusiasts of every level beyond its brick-and-mortar locations through a dynamic e-commerce platform (BigPeachRunningCo.com) and innovative mobile retail experience (Big Peach On-Wheels).

His new book, It's Not the Bricks, It's the Mortar: Optimize Your Retail Business for Lasting Success offers a battle-tested framework for service-driven retail organizations… from a current operator. No formalities. No fluff. This is not content from an academic researcher, industry consultant or ghostwriter. This is entrepreneur Mike Cosentino sharing powerful lessons from decades of experience, while still leading his own retail enterprises.

Whether accelerating growth or withstanding the unexpected, his systems favor the confident empowerment of others – – while disfavoring the constant oversight often required by most leaders. The book includes two life-altering personal events that every reader will relate to, reminding us that success in this industry can't be achieved on hustle alone.

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 

 

 


SPONSORS

Want a beautiful coffee shop? All your hard surface, stone, Tile and brick needs! 

www.arto.com

Visit @artobrick


The world loves plant based beverages and baristas love the Barista Series! 

www.pacificfoodservice.com

 

 


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! 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…
SHIFT BREAK! Don't Overwhelm Your Managers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:42
Sharing is caring!...but when you overshare with your managers it can easily be the opposite. You have a lot on your mind and often not a lot of people to share it with. The closest person is most often the manager or GM…