Can I Start in the Coffee Industry by Working as an Apprentice in a Café? How to Open a Coffee Shop

The Rapid Growth of Coffee Culture

In recent years, the rapid popularization of coffee culture has filled many young people just entering society with various aspirations for the coffee industry. Although the coffee industry has become fiercely competitive, coffee shops can be found everywhere, leading many young people who haven't yet understood the industry to believe that it's a field where they can easily sustain themselves even without social experience.

The Dream of Opening a Coffee Shop

Want to open a coffee shop but know nothing about coffee? What should you do? This leads people to consider becoming apprentices at coffee shops. In the past two years, I've heard many customers talk about their dream of opening their own coffee shop, but they know nothing about coffee and are complete outsiders... Then they ask if it's feasible to start in the coffee industry by becoming an apprentice at a coffee shop.

Personal Experience in the Coffee Industry

First, having a dream is truly a good thing, at least it provides motivation. I remember being influenced by my family since childhood and developing a strong interest in coffee. My dream was also to become a barista and open my own coffee shop. However, I haven't been in the coffee industry for very long - only about 6-7 years in total. I didn't start working in a specialty coffee shop right away, but worked in different coffee shops with various scenarios and positions. Over these years, my biggest realization has been: you must have strong determination and always strive to improve yourself!

The Limitations of Coffee Shop Apprenticeships

I personally do not recommend becoming an apprentice at a coffee shop, because in many cases, you'll just be doing odd jobs and cleaning. Even if they teach you how to make coffee, you'll only learn the technical aspects. If the person teaching you isn't very good themselves, and you "blindly admire" them due to your lack of knowledge, when you finally encounter good knowledge, you won't recognize it, and you won't be able to change some of your original operational habits.

Coffee Training Institutions vs. Apprenticeships

If you want to learn coffee skills, coffee training institutions are more reliable than becoming an apprentice at a coffee shop. However! However! However! Training institutions have their drawbacks. Instructors will teach you operations and knowledge, but they won't tell you about the current state of the industry, nor will they guide you to see the future of the industry. So even if you learn how to make coffee and gain coffee knowledge at a training institution, that's only the outline. To understand more detailed coffee knowledge and learn more about the current state of the industry, you need to observe and learn on your own! Don't just accept everything your instructor says - things will change!!!

The Importance of a Good Mentor

To enter the coffee industry, you need a very good mentor. This not only allows you to master operational skills correctly but also brings you the right perspective to think positively. At the same time, they will tell you about the current state of the coffee industry and give you practical advice. Rather than listening to someone who doesn't understand or recognize coffee encouraging you to "open a coffee shop! It's profitable!" People truly in the coffee industry will tell you not to rush, first understand coffee well, understand the industry thoroughly before making a decision.

Business Aspects of Running a Coffee Shop

If you want to work in the coffee industry, you also need to learn how to run a coffee shop successfully. Opening a coffee shop is a business, not something to start on impulse, even if you have a lot of money. People in the industry often say: don't open a coffee shop based solely on passion - passion is very fragile in the face of industry reality! The most important thing is how to make your coffee shop survive.

Business Planning and Perspective

Whether opening a coffee shop or doing other business, the first thing to do is have long-term planning, such as: investment costs, cost recovery time, coffee shop positioning, coffee shop goals, etc. Don't view the coffee industry from a consumer's perspective - consumers only care about drinking and enjoying, while business requires you to constantly calculate carefully.

Final Thoughts

Nothing can be achieved "overnight" - only through continuous setbacks, mistakes, and losses will you learn. Although this may not sound good, people are like this - without setbacks, there's no growth. If after reading this article, you still want to become an apprentice at a coffee shop, I respect your decision. Only by trying yourself will you know whether this matter is beneficial or harmful to you, and perhaps you'll really meet a good mentor.

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