synergies

independent cafes, like any small local business, has its challenges. one of the biggest is trying to generate enough volume so that suppliers take you seriously and offer reasonable pricing or shipping.

Lately, I've been creating supply partnerships with the likes of Transcend Coffee, Credo and the soon-to-be-open Elm Cafe. Such collaborations allow us to achieve attractive pricing on basic but essential items. For example, Transcend 1&2, myself and Elm all use the same paper cup supplier (with Credo soon to join), so that there's enough volume to demand a fair price.

Then with things like equipment parts and cafe supplies, Nate Box (Elm Cafe), Geoff Linden (Credo Coffee) and myself co-ordinate needs so that we can reduce shipping costs and increase bargaining power.

Of course, you can't do this with everything. But every little bit helps.