What are the Key Holder Coaching Groups?

What are the Key Holder Coaching Groups?

Author: Chris Deferio August 26, 2026 Duration: 12:32

For cafe owners, the way you and your coffee shop grow is determined by how you are supported and nourished by community.

The trouble is most owners are isolated, stressed, and are in desperate need of a type of community that is not just generally related to business but is made up entirely of other coffee shop owners who know exactly where you are coming from. 

That is what Key Holder Coaching Groups are all about. 

A small group of invested coffee shop owners who are dedicated to encouragement, accountability, insights, and helping each other grow. 

Our groups are limited 6-7 experienced cafe owners and we meet 12 times over 6 months in our Zoom sessions where we focus on member led topics that are actually relevant to the real life of a cafe owner. 

Each member received 2 hours of one-on-one coaching through this time and has access to our Circle community where they can keep the connection and conversation going between our calls. 

I would love to talk with you about how this unique group can make a difference in your life. 

Look below for a few testimonials of past members and click this link to apply for the Fall 2026 cohort! 

APPLY TO THE 2026 KHCG COHORT!

 

Testimonials:

My name is Susanna Winters and I am the owner and co -founder of Hilton Head Island Coffee Roasters. We're based out of Hilton Head, South Carolina. I've been part of Chris's key holder coaching group for I guess about five months now. And prior to that, I have participated in a few different business groups and business mentorship programs. And this coaching group has by far been the best and provided some of most value that we've received honestly in the two and a half years that we've been in business. And I think it's a combination of being paired with other business owners who are all at different places in their business. It really helps us take this big picture approach as well as get that really nitty gritty feedback, not only of what we need right now, but also what we might need a year from now.

And the group that I was part of, it was honestly just so much fun and so much fun getting to know this group. Everyone provided so much value and they were honest and they were vulnerable and they were so transparent with their businesses and everyone really took that extra step to support each other, which is one of the reasons why I'm signing up to do it for another six months. But I absolutely recommend this coaching group. I think it's one the best things out there for new coffee shops, old coffee shops, anyone looking to elevate their business to the next level.

-Susannah Winters/ Hilton Head Coffee Roasters

 

 

 For us looking back, I think we were at a point of growth that we needed to take the steps to grow, but we were wearing ourselves out and burnout was starting to set it.  I feel if we didn't reach out for help with Chris we would have greatly struggled. Both during the coaching and as a result of the coaching.

 Working with KTTS consulting has been monumental for us as individuals and as a business.  We were able to get insight and confidence in areas that we felt like we were really struggling in. We took huge steps with hiring a manager and equipping them to help lead.  Chris' structure behind servant leadership really matched well with how we wanted to lead so it allowed a very cohesive development of our foundation for goals, foundations, requirements and leadership.

I would HIGHLY recommend KTTS to anyone regardless if you are struggling for feeling as though you are on top of the world with your business. I feel that no matter where you are in your journey, there's always room for growth. I even believe a few years down the road and we are continuing to grow that we would do it again and learn to continue to keep growing in a healthy was as a business and staying healthy as entrepreneurs

-Jessica Nguyễn Queen City and Co.

 

 

I made the decision to become a part of the Key Holder Coaching Group (KHCG) primarily to establish connections with other professionals who are actively engaged in the coffee business. I have found that through coaching I have been able to improve my productivity, streamlining my operations and have a healthier life/work balance.

The most beneficial aspect of the KHCG has been getting the opportunity to explore topics from multiple perspectives. I have found that even If I am not in the "Hot Seat" I am gaining valuable information that is relative to my business in some way. KHCG has proven to be a safe space for me to be vulnerable, increase my self-worth and positively adjust my mindset to get the most out of the experience.

As business owners, we are, without a doubt, our most valuable asset. Investing in ourselves, stepping outside of our patterns and opening up to fellow business professionals within our field will absolutely bring fresh perspectives to solve problems and reminders to celebrate wins. You do not have to do it all or do it all alone, KHCG will be a valuable ally on your journey to success.

-Sunny Cover / Peekskill Coffee Roasting Company / The Peekskill Coffeehouse


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: 50

Keys To The Shop : Equipping Coffee Shop Leaders
Podcast Episodes
625: 5 Ways To Make Your Coffee Taste Better [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:03
The quality of your coffee is one of the main reasons people choose your cafe vs another. It is the baseline expectation customers have for a specialty coffee shop and today, in spite of our abundant resources and access…
SHIFT BREAK! Don't Give Your Staff Invisible Targets [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:39
If we want our staff to succeed, we have to give them clear target to aim for. Unfortunately shocking number of cafes have what I would describe as invisible targets that only appear once the arrow is released. No wonder…
622: Lifting Up Coffee Farmers w/ Ben Carlson of Long Miles Coffee! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:02
In coffee we can often question the impact of our efforts. Over time though, small consistent steps in the right direction can not only carry you over many miles, it can transform you and those for whom you are working.…
SHIFT BREAK! What It Means To Have Integrity In Our Work [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:33
Integrity is hard to identify unless you are actively looking for and working on it. But what is "it"? Well, in some ways it is consistency, but that is not enough. Integrity is more than production of the same thing the…