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 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]

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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…
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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…