Newbies in the Cafe

‘Congrats on a fantastic book! From the layout, the real stories with great insights, the quality of writing and finally the last chapter that brings it all together, it is perfect. This book will certainly help many people understand what the industry is all about and provide some great insights and foresights. I believe it should be a must for all to read BEFORE they enter the world of cafe ownership so that they will move into it with their eyes wide open.’ Phillip Di Bella, Di Bella Group

‘Reading this book is like having brutally honest conversations with 11 cafe owners. You’ll learn the secrets to their success, the reasons for their fast track to failure, the pitfalls they could have avoided, the surprises they encountered along the way, whether buying an existing cafe or opening one from scratch was the best option for them - and so much more, right down to whether they were cut out to be a cafe owner or not. Each story is so engaging; you feel you’re on the journey already - learning what working in a cafe is really like, empowered to make informed decisions about your own cafe. In the last chapter, the author (one of the cafe owners featured) draws together what she and the 10 others have learnt - in 20 pages of the best advice you’re ever likely to get about running a cafe.’ Christine Cottrell, Author of the Barista Bible and Trending Cafes Brisbane & Beyond

‘One of the greatest factors that affects success in this industry is support. This book not only provides this from examples of people in the industry today, but is extremely easy to digest, gives professional insight and guidance - for the newcomer right through to the elite.’ Joshua Clifton, Author of The Hospitality Survival Guide

‘A ‘textbook style’ masterpiece!! In my 15-year cafe journey I have never found such complete and concise information all in one place. Brutally honest and refreshingly real, the stories are captivating, sometimes tragic, yet filled with lessons for the next wave of cafe newbies. Finally, a “warts and all” work to counter the fable that’s sold as … The Cafe Dream.’ Simon O’Brien, Kickstart Coffee Shop

Dr. Judy Gregory is a Brisbane-based writer, editor, researcher, and former cafe dreamer. As a writer, Judy specializes in translating complex concepts into plain language. In 2016, Judy and her partner opened their dream business in Brisbane’s Red Hill - Northside Meetings with The Letter Lounge Cafe & Gifts. The vision was to provide a space for people to work - with meeting rooms, training rooms, and a word-themed cafe. Within months, they discovered they had little aptitude for the dream they’d cherished for so long. In May 2018, after 26 months of difficult operation, they closed the business. ‘Newbies in the Cafe’ is the book that Judy wishes she had read before embarking on her cafe dream. Closing The Letter Lounge Cafe & Gifts sadly brought an end to Judy’s daily interaction with a La Marzocco Linea PB espresso machine. In its place, today she uses a cafetiere, with 22g of freshly ground coffee to 8 oz of not-quite-boiling water, brewed for exactly 5 minutes. As a cafe owner, Judy loved to bake sweet treats, but discovered a deep dislike for poached eggs. Poached eggs are now permanently off the menu in her household. Judy and her partner have two teenage sons and a Chinese Crested Powerdpuff dog named Laika.