What No One Tells You About Opening a Coffee Shop Until You Lose Money

Most people see a bustling coffee shop and assume it's a money-printing paradise—five bucks for a latte that costs around a buck-twenty to make, right? But here’s the dirty little secret: cafés fail all the time because owners forget to watch their numbers. As humans, we want to focus on the fun stuff—crafting the perfect latte art, picking out jazzy music—but there are three key costs that can wipe out your profit: Gross Profit, Labor, and Rent. If you don’t nail down ingredient costs, create smart staff rosters, and stay on top of rent, your shop can sink fast. That’s the hard truth nobody tells you until you’re knee-deep in espresso grounds and scrambling to pay the bills. But don’t worry, I’ve got a game plan for you—because when you understand how to keep these costs under control, you can rock a thriving business, keep your crew caffeinated, and make shit happen.”