I feel really great for you and Cat and Cloud, man. Seeing your videos always puts a smile and that dopamine kick in the back of my mind. Your hard and deep works influence me.
I'm happy you're going the several shops in the area mode. That's the best way to go in my personal opinion. Cocoa Cinnamon did that here in Durham. That's the best way in today's economy, again, in my opinion. Especially with what you do for your employees. You guys are awesome. Also, for keeping the coffee bartender vibe happening. Where someone is "their barista." I'm 34 and I still love that.
So now that you're scaling, even on a local basis, how does it change your outlook about extremely large scale operations? Do you have a greater appreciation for the super-automatic machines and coffee mass production? Personally, I see expansion going two ways, giving each store manager the freedom to create their own store, from how they train the employees to pull shots (essentially pulling based on their own tastes) to what merchandise to highlight, or trying to keep all things consistent throughout the entire brand. At this point in your expansion process, where do you want this ball of energy to be headed?
Training, taste profiling, and pulling is (and will remain for the foreseeable future) standardized with small windows people can explore to optimize taste. Super-autos aren't in our future but we're definitely mass producing batch brew ^__^
I really admire your attention to detail and your attitude to change and knowledge. As someone who would love to open my own cafe/eatery, would you potentially be able to outline the processes you undergo when picking a location/concept, now in comparison to your first project? (In a video or otherwise)
I feel that too small roastery pain! Im in a double decker bus and have a storage room in a separate c-can building. Often wonder how much of my day is focusing on issues other roasters don't even have consider...but its kinda sweet though.
RealChrisBaca well I’m in Arizona, and when I visit Cali it’s in the San Diego area cause that’s where my brother lives. Other than that I’d be lost but I do wanna stop by haha
Hey man, I'm planning to open a restaurant hopefully on July 2019, and also want to serve coffee. The target is around a hundred cup a day, can you please recommend any good bank for buck machine with the grinder too???? I'm looking at simonelli appia 2. What do you think? Thanks man!
It's the Quest M3 electric sample roaster. It gets the job done but it's not amazing - if the cash allowed a multiple barrel Probat style sample roaster would be amazing.
Really liking where Cat and Cloud is going. Can't wait for the West Side location. Gotta be honest, loved the Portola location but that parking situation was bad 😂
Yeah we did what we could and are even still working with the county to open up more parking on an ongoing basis but its a long play. We appreciate you though!
Good job mate, as a fellow entrepreneur it is quite tough to scale and let go of your baby, but the sooner you recognize that talented people are what takes forward your company the quicker you will make the decision. Love the updates!!
Always enjoy your vids, RCB! Location is awesome, and Cat and Cloud is going to be a force. Some side notes, 23andme has a coffee tolerance report, if you want to check it out. And, two ideas for vids include the Cat and Cloud employees who make the difference, and the Cat and Cloud customers who make the place! Kind of like the RHCP concert Snow vid...
I'm not sure if you've answered this question before, but how do you address the issues that come with gentrification in the areas that you are opening up shops? I know that you guys do a wonderful job of supporting your employees in an area that is very difficult to live in but how do you open up your spaces to people who are financially of the lower or lower middle class? Have you guys addressed this in a podcast? If so let me know! I am very curious! The coffee industry is very saturated with white people. I have noticed places like Olympia coffee with Oliver and Sam doing a great job at employing a diverse staff. Love you guys and love what you do! Just want to know your perspectives on these issues/topics!
I agree, this is an important question. (But as far as Olympia coffee-- you must be talking about their Seattle locations because I wouldn't say your comment is true about their Olympia locations at all.)
I agree. I just visited their Olympia location again (I have to add that they were all very welcoming and provided exceptional service) the staff was not very diverse. I was referring to their new Tacoma location, which is in a newly gentrified area and the only people of color you see are typically the employees at the shop.
I think it is also a matter of intentionality. Because the space is already extremely white we are less likely to see people of color expressing interest in careers in said industry. If we open up a dialogue I think we will see more diversity in the work place which is of great benefit as the specialty coffee industry will appeal to more than just the white bland culture that we often see today. (I am by no means saying that all shops have a "bland" culture. I know of many places with a diverse staff that bring together different communities of people). I find it troubling that many coffee shops today are so exclusive. Cafes were created as places where individuals of different philosophies could have open discussions and learn from one another and develop their ideas.
I feel really great for you and Cat and Cloud, man. Seeing your videos always puts a smile and that dopamine kick in the back of my mind. Your hard and deep works influence me.
Thanks so much Michael, that means a lot. We put the dope in dopamine!
I'm happy you're going the several shops in the area mode. That's the best way to go in my personal opinion. Cocoa Cinnamon did that here in Durham. That's the best way in today's economy, again, in my opinion. Especially with what you do for your employees. You guys are awesome.
Also, for keeping the coffee bartender vibe happening. Where someone is "their barista." I'm 34 and I still love that.
So now that you're scaling, even on a local basis, how does it change your outlook about extremely large scale operations? Do you have a greater appreciation for the super-automatic machines and coffee mass production? Personally, I see expansion going two ways, giving each store manager the freedom to create their own store, from how they train the employees to pull shots (essentially pulling based on their own tastes) to what merchandise to highlight, or trying to keep all things consistent throughout the entire brand. At this point in your expansion process, where do you want this ball of energy to be headed?
Training, taste profiling, and pulling is (and will remain for the foreseeable future) standardized with small windows people can explore to optimize taste. Super-autos aren't in our future but we're definitely mass producing batch brew ^__^
Excited for you guys - congratulations on the expansion. I'm pumped to check on the stores when I'm down in Santa Cruz for vacation later this week!
Thanks Euan, come on feel the noise!
you're my hero, baca. thanks for your awesomeness.
I really admire your attention to detail and your attitude to change and knowledge.
As someone who would love to open my own cafe/eatery, would you potentially be able to outline the processes you undergo when picking a location/concept, now in comparison to your first project? (In a video or otherwise)
Thanks Jordan. I think that would be a great video - I'd probably bring in Charles as he would have a ton of info on this as well.
I feel that too small roastery pain! Im in a double decker bus and have a storage room in a separate c-can building. Often wonder how much of my day is focusing on issues other roasters don't even have consider...but its kinda sweet though.
It was cool having you sponsor a throw down and a few of your baristas coming to it at the shop I work at I really like your video keep it up 💪
Love your videos Chris! I look forward to it every week!
I appreciate that Amir, thank you!
I’m excited for the expansion. I have to come up and visit either one of the shops.
Thank you! Yeah it won't be the worst trip of your life...free positive vibes.
RealChrisBaca well I’m in Arizona, and when I visit Cali it’s in the San Diego area cause that’s where my brother lives. Other than that I’d be lost but I do wanna stop by haha
Super exciting!!!! Hard work pays off. You deserve it all man
Thanks Scott!
Hey man, I'm planning to open a restaurant hopefully on July 2019, and also want to serve coffee. The target is around a hundred cup a day, can you please recommend any good bank for buck machine with the grinder too???? I'm looking at simonelli appia 2. What do you think? Thanks man!
Congrats!!! you surely deserve it, enjoy your new places, i hope to know it some day
Thanks so much Ricardo!
Dude's got Flair.
Super stoked for you guys!
Thanks Daryll, I appreciate the stokage!
Great Vid once again. Thanks Chris!
Did you guys buy any of those spots or is it all leased space?
Thanks Jarred! Great question. These are leased but in the future we'd love to buy our buildings. We're not quite that flush just yet though ^__^
Santacruse was my old stomping grounds in the Late fifties. Great Vids as usual.
Thanks Jim!
This is super exciting, staying tuned!!
Thanks Sidney!
Yo, Chris. Rad update! Just curious. What sample roaster are you guys using?
It's the Quest M3 electric sample roaster. It gets the job done but it's not amazing - if the cash allowed a multiple barrel Probat style sample roaster would be amazing.
RealChrisBaca Thanks, Chris! I’m looking to get a sample roaster to lean on. Lots of options out there with a wide price range, for sure.
Dang dude!! 4 cafes and a roastery yeehawwww. Always rooting for you guys and thanks for the update video :)
Almost to a full five fingered high-five (redundancy overload)
Possible blend name or t shirt :)
Really liking where Cat and Cloud is going. Can't wait for the West Side location. Gotta be honest, loved the Portola location but that parking situation was bad 😂
Yeah we did what we could and are even still working with the county to open up more parking on an ongoing basis but its a long play. We appreciate you though!
RealChrisBaca yep, totally get it. I ended up parking in the front. Love where you guys are going, keep it up. 👍🏻
Chris after you set up shop time to write the book. 👍
If only I could sit still for that long
Good job mate, as a fellow entrepreneur it is quite tough to scale and let go of your baby, but the sooner you recognize that talented people are what takes forward your company the quicker you will make the decision.
Love the updates!!
Looking forward to visiting one of the stores when I'm over In December. 🇬🇧
Come and party!
RealChrisBaca yeah I would be down to hang and party.
Man I am such a C&C fanboy, I wish I worked there so bad
dude, how many kilos of spros you go for a day in your stores?
Always enjoy your vids, RCB! Location is awesome, and Cat and Cloud is going to be a force. Some side notes, 23andme has a coffee tolerance report, if you want to check it out. And, two ideas for vids include the Cat and Cloud employees who make the difference, and the Cat and Cloud customers who make the place! Kind of like the RHCP concert Snow vid...
Feel you on that, those are great ideas. Coffee tolerance like caffeine tolerance? Send it over to info@catandcloud.com if you're down! Thanks Win!
Yes, sorry, caffeine tolerance.
11:54 live the Dream
R E S P E C T
could you do more vids specifically on roasting. that would be killer.
Noted!
Congrats mate! really inspiring vids..i'm your fans from Indonesia
Thanks homie, mad love to Indonesia!
I'm not sure if you've answered this question before, but how do you address the issues that come with gentrification in the areas that you are opening up shops? I know that you guys do a wonderful job of supporting your employees in an area that is very difficult to live in but how do you open up your spaces to people who are financially of the lower or lower middle class? Have you guys addressed this in a podcast? If so let me know! I am very curious! The coffee industry is very saturated with white people. I have noticed places like Olympia coffee with Oliver and Sam doing a great job at employing a diverse staff.
Love you guys and love what you do! Just want to know your perspectives on these issues/topics!
I agree, this is an important question. (But as far as Olympia coffee-- you must be talking about their Seattle locations because I wouldn't say your comment is true about their Olympia locations at all.)
I agree. I just visited their Olympia location again (I have to add that they were all very welcoming and provided exceptional service) the staff was not very diverse. I was referring to their new Tacoma location, which is in a newly gentrified area and the only people of color you see are typically the employees at the shop.
I think it is also a matter of intentionality. Because the space is already extremely white we are less likely to see people of color expressing interest in careers in said industry. If we open up a dialogue I think we will see more diversity in the work place which is of great benefit as the specialty coffee industry will appeal to more than just the white bland culture that we often see today. (I am by no means saying that all shops have a "bland" culture. I know of many places with a diverse staff that bring together different communities of people). I find it troubling that many coffee shops today are so exclusive. Cafes were created as places where individuals of different philosophies could have open discussions and learn from one another and develop their ideas.
exciting stuff Chris - enjoy!! :-)
Thank you - I will!
If I order The Answer from you (I live in US) how fresh will the coffee be? 1 day old? A couple? More..?
roughly 3-4 days off roast. we don't start brewing till after day 5 usually so it'll be prime time.
Bar seating. Yes. Get sum bar seating.
Seriously. Took us long enough ^__^
Wow your doing so much, good luck with it all it looks amazing!
Thank you Rohan!
holy cow, that's big time moving of the roaster! I guess the youtube marketing is going well :)
We just keep having fun and things just seem to present themselves!
RealChrisBaca Do you have stickers?
Sssick.
Hi Macccccccccccccc!