RoR #37 : Tariffs, Relationships, and Resiliency for Roasters | A Conversation w/ Steve Green of Mill City Roasters

RoR #37 : Tariffs, Relationships, and Resiliency for Roasters | A Conversation w/ Steve Green of Mill City Roasters

Author: Chris Deferio July 30, 2025 Duration: 48:40

These are challenging times for roasters. With the topics of green prices and tariffs dominating the airwaves and minds of owners, everyone is looking for the best way to respond to what seems like an existential threat to their business if left unaddressed.

The truth is that the businesses that do the best in these times not only respond well in the moment, but can respond well because they have prepared well before hand by investing in building a business around integrity, depth of relationships, and cultivating resiliency through contingency planning and structures that uphold all people in their sphere.

I am very happy for this months RoR to talk with someone whose trials and triumphs in life and business have led to being able to help so many others succeed through his very influential business. We are talking with founder and president of Mill City Roasters, Steve Green! .

Before founding Mill City Roasters®, Steve designed and developed machinery and processes for many of the largest manufacturers in the US in industries ranging from 3D printing, aviation, automotive, health care, medical devices, software, and fabrication.

Over the last 10 years, his single focus has been the development of the most advanced specialty coffee roasting systems and making information and education more accessible and equitable for those entering the industry. His latest project, RoastPATH®, is a modern SAS platform that allows not only for day-to-day profile tracking but serves as a career-long work portfolio to extend the collective memory & experience of the roasting profession.

In this conversation we discuss some very practical and also very deep aspects of mindsets, philosophy, meaning, and practical. business strategy and planning that together will allow you to better build a roastery that not only survives challenges, but thrives enough to provide stability for others as well. 

 

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www.millcityroasters.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 Urgent Need for Training in Today's Coffee Shop [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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572 : Understanding Water For Coffee w/ Maxwell Dashwood [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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SHIFT BREAK! Get Your Cafe to Stand Out Without Losing Your Footing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:44
If you listen to every well meaning linkedIn post or biz hack YouTube video you can stand out so much that you actually lose touch with he foundation of your business. Today on shift break we will talk about ways to purs…
Special! Interviews From Coffee Fest Orlando 2025! w/ Claudio Martinez (Golden Bush Coffee), Vanessa Jaramillo (Florida Coffee Culture), Maria Esther Thome-Lopez (Coffee Flock), and Katherine Morris (Cherry Coffee Shop) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:07
Time for our last installment of live interviews from Coffee Fest 2025. This time from Orlando, FL USA! We are talking with four awesome professionals about everything from training and tasting, Florida coffee culture an…
571: Worrying and Other Deceptive Replacements for Good Leadership [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:22
In my live workshops with owners and teams, coaching calls with clients, and even in interviews here on the show run into many go-to habits that are replacements for healthy leadership. Today we are going to be discussin…
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…