Insight and Lessons From a Young, Female Coffee Entrepreneur 

If there ever was a person born to bring good, well-crafted coffee to others, it may very well be Cara Nader.  At 30 years old, she’s the owner of Strange Matter Coffee – a coffee shop in Lansing, Michigan, that Nader has seemingly been creating since she was a child.

“Sometimes I feel like I was being groomed for this before I was in double digits,” she said. “My grandfather owned his own business when I was growing up that he ran with my father and uncles. I was getting business advice before I was out of diapers.”

Blending her innate business savvy and her love for coffee (she started drinking it when she was five!) Nader took the plunge into small business ownership last year, after nearly 13 years in the industry as a manager, trainer, regional barista competitor and former Great Lakes Barista Guild Chapter Representative.

Being an owner, though, makes her somewhat of a rarity.  “I can probably list the number of female coffee shop owners in Michigan on one hand,” she said. While the journey seemed almost pre-destined, that doesn’t mean it has been without its difficulties, surprises or obstacles like unsolicited advice or construction woes.

But in August, her shop celebrated its one-year anniversary (a milestone not many small businesses make it to) so I’ve asked Cara to reflect on the whole process and give us some entrepreneurial insight.

Knowing what she now does about opening and operating her own business and all that she’s experienced as a young, female entrepreneur, she lists some things to think about before turning one’s passion into a business. (Spoiler alert: It’s not as easy as you think)! She also lays out five pieces of advice she’d give herself one year ago as her shop was about to open.

Her advice is enlightening for anyone thinking about taking the plunge into turning a passion into a business. Frankly, it’s just plain good life advice, too. And I’ll totally drink to that!

When should someone start their own business?

• Be realistic: “If you want to make a lot of money, find a different line of work. Opening a small business is rarely a large money-maker, especially in the first few years. Understand your margins and be realistic.”
• Do your research: “Even if you are passionate about something, it doesn’t necessarily mean it can make for a viable business. It depends on market saturation, the size of your available market, competition, estimated margins and a handful of other things. Plan ahead and be willing to adjust as you go.”
• Value concrete numbers: “You can never make too many spreadsheets. Project, project, project. Know your costs and estimate your customer counts and average tickets. Figure out your estimated break-even. These numbers will change once you open, but it is 100 percent necessary to have these numbers in your brain in advance.
• Make a business plan: “A business plan is key, even if your business is simple and small. Know your target market, your competition, and your potential weaknesses. Have plans for everything. You cannot possibly plan enough.”
•  Work hard: “Take the plunge if you’re willing to work hard and invest everything, financially, emotionally and physically. Opening a small business is a lot of work but if you are passionate and willing to take the risk, anything is possible.”

Nader’s retrospective advice to herself

• Believe in your business (and yourself!): “Stop worrying that customers will not come in and live by the famous ‘Field of Dreams quote,’ ‘If you build it, they will come,’ as cheesy as it is.
• Take care of yourself: “Sleep and take a day off occasionally. Nothing will catch on fire or explode in your absence, especially if only for a day. Relax.”
• Say no: “It is okay to say no occasionally. Say no sometimes to donation requests, event invitations, etc. It is impossible to do everything all the time.”
• There’s no pleasin’ everyone: “Accept that you cannot please everyone all the time. It is futile to try. Base success on seats being full and sales numbers.”
• Take care of your people: “Be kind to your employees. Treat them as you would want to be treated and pay them a livable wage. They represent your business. If you pay them minimum wage why would you expect them to do any more than the minimum amount of work?”

Photo: Debbie Carlos