Message From Chris: Explaining Key Holder Coaching Groups, Consulting, Coaching, and the Goals of KTTS Services

Message From Chris: Explaining Key Holder Coaching Groups, Consulting, Coaching, and the Goals of KTTS Services

Author: Chris Deferio August 8, 2025 Duration: 18:55

Hey everyone! I was sitting at my desk thinking about the various services and means KTTS has created to help coffee shop owners and leaders in the last 8 years. 

Seems we have grown a lot! 

From a podcast with 1,000+ episodes and 3 million+ downloads, to consulting and coaching 85+ cafes, training barista teams, speaking around the country multiple times per year for 20+years, and the latest addition, the Key Holder Coaching Groups which is in its 5th season! 

I wanted to take a moment to chat with you here, pretty informally, to explain these areas of Keys to the Shop and give you some clarity about the why behind them, what they look like, and how they help people like you. 

Below are some links that will take you to where you can learn more. But of course, the best way is always to reach out and have a conversation with me. Just email: chris@keystotheshop.com

 

Service Links: 

CONSULTING

One-on-one consulting with coffee shop owners and their leadership teams to help improve operations, people, and quality. We also help new owners and their teams open their first cafe. 

 

KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS

A curated space where you can bring real challenges to the table, get clear feedback, and grow alongside others who are just as invested in getting better.

If you're looking for community, clarity, and accountability to move your leadership forward, this might be the right next step for you. Click above to apply. 

 

SPEAKING 

I have been speaking at trade shows, industry organizations, coffee schools, and conducting workshops for quite a long time. Reach out if you are looking for a focused workshop for your team or need a speaker for your event. 

 

CAFE CLARITY CALLS

In these 3 one hour intensive sessions we will tackle your most pressing issues and challenges through discovering root causes, and developing clear solutions and strategies for sustainable success!

 


Click here to schedule a free discovery call:

KTTS Consulting Discovery Call

 


Social Media Links: 

Instagram: @keystotheshop

LinkedIn: Chris Deferio

 


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! Refreshing the Owner's Soul [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:01
We all want to make a difference with our work. The trouble is that the busyness of a coffee shop tends to pull our attention in a million different directions and we rarely get an opportunity to see if indeed we are mak…
563: Founder Friday! w/ Jared Linzmeier of Ruby Coffee Roaster [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:43
Jared Linzmeier is the co-founder of Ruby Coffee Roasters, based in Nelsonville, Wisconsin. After getting his start in specialty coffee with Intelligentsia in Los Angeles and later working in Portland and Seattle, he ret…
562: Encore Episode! The 10 Essentials of a Barista Manual! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:09
I love getting to re-air classics. This one on barista manuals is a great one because it provide a structure for essentials that you can build on. Here is the truth though, manuals do not magically create a difference in…
SHIFT BREAK! Is That Character or Neglect? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:34
The difference between dirty, dysfunctional, or neglected, and something that is maintained but has character, is the level of intentionality given to it. In many shops, we find broken and dismal conditions that really s…
561: How to Motivate Baristas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:00
This is a question that seems to be answered by many with desperate incentives and what amounts to just brute force to get their staff to do the things they want them to do in the way they want them to do it. In many way…
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…