578: Founder Friday w/ Matt and Elise Higgins of Origin Coffee Bar, Savannah, GA

578: Founder Friday w/ Matt and Elise Higgins of Origin Coffee Bar, Savannah, GA

Author: Chris Deferio December 16, 2025 Duration: 54:14

I love an origin story where the pluck, confidence, and unwavering belief of the founders for each other and their idea is met with the support, enthusiasm, and positive feedback of the community they set out to serve. They say your calling is where your talents intersect with what people need and today we get to talk with people who have been authoring a story just like that.

Very happy today to feature the story of Matt and Elise Higgins of Origin Coffee Bar!

Elise and Matt Higgins are the husband-and-wife founders of Origin Coffee Bar, with cafés in Savannah and Hilton Head Island. Creative and entrepreneurial at heart, they launched Origin in 2020 with a focus on generosity, community, and excellent coffee. Elise, originally from Michigan, oversees social media, the food program, and guest experience, while Matt, a New England native, leads roasting, coffee quality, brand, and wholesale.
In today's episode we will be taking you from the first inkling that coffee was the path they should pursue, -through to today where they now have an 2 established cafes and a roasting operation that are continuing to grow.

We discuss:
* Life as design students, craft entrepreneurs, and the idea for coffee
* The lessons from the Mobile Coffee Bar
* Navigating Opportunities + The Power of Intuition
* The Importance of Culture and a Great Team
* Balancing Work and Relationship
* Secrets of Partnership
* Establishing Standards
* The Role of Systems in Growth
* Learning from Customers and Team
* Quality Control at Scale
* Why Entrepreneurs Need Confidence and Generosity

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

or 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! What Customers Value and How to Deliver It [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:10
We always talk about adding value to the customer experience. In the coffee shop this is usually focused on things like the look, flavor, price, and service rendered. But I believe it goes a level deeper than that. In fa…
SHIFT BREAK! Taking the First Steps Toward Change in the Cafe [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:52
So you have come to the conclusion that things need to change in your coffee shop. Maybe it is something related to systems, schedules, training, culture, or a host of other things you might want to take action on. But w…
559: Myths Coffee Shop Owners Believe Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:54
And the myths just keep on coming! Welcome to part 2 of the series on Myth Coffee Shop Owners Believe. The goal here is to create space and slow down long enough to critically and intentionally examine ideas before we ad…
SHIFT BREAK! The Trend of Backwards Hospitality [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:05
Who is it we are serving when we start or work in the coffee shop? If you listen to a lot of the way people talk today, you might think we expect customers to serve our needs more than we pursue meeting the needs of and…
Shift Break! The Problem of Commiseration [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:35
In forums, trade shows, and conversations everywhere, people are talking about their problems, and that's not a bad thing! The problem starts when the talk is not productive and starts to warp reality and damages our abi…
556: Myths Coffee Shop Owners Believe Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:44
What we believe is often a mixture of what we heard , what we have experienced, and what is convenient for us in the moment. The truth is, we are desperate for certainty and as our desperation grows, our ability to be re…
SHIFT BREAK! Considering the Future You When Making Decisions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:49
Have you ever made a regrettable decision in the moment that you would have made differently if you had given yourself a bit more time and space to reason it through? I think we have all been there. Many are there right…