BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT - CAFE & BARISTA TRAINING &

MEET THE INSTRUCTOR: KIM RICHARDS
Kim’s passion for business and coffee began more than 20 years ago when she started her first barista position after college. Since then, her journey as an entrepreneur and small business owner in the café industry has equipped her with a unique perspective on business development and barista training. She’s excited to share her knowledge and guide students as they collaborate to develop new businesses! 

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CAFE & BARISTA TRAINING 

Target  Levels: 8th - 12th  Grades

Course Overview
This 12-week course is ideal for students passionate about small business development, learning barista skills, or exploring the coffee industry. It combines creative beverage-making techniques with essential business acumen, culminating in the development of the Velos Mobile Coffee Trailer.

Let’s Build a Business Together!
This course offers a comprehensive introduction to both the business and practical aspects of the coffee industry. Designed for aspiring café owners, managers, and baristas, students will gain valuable insights into business development alongside hands-on barista training.

Key areas of focus include:

• Introduction to the Café Business
• Café Operations and Management
• Financials and Budgeting
• Customer Experience and Marketing
• Barista Skills: The Art of Coffee Making
• Advanced Brewing Methods

Students will learn how to create a strong business plan, develop a marketing strategy, and manage staff and operations effectively. On the barista side, they’ll gain expertise in coffee sourcing and quality, a variety of brewing methods, espresso preparation, latte art, and exceptional customer service skills.

Schedule:

Tuesday 3:30 - 4:30 PM

January 13 - April 7, 2026

Spring Break - March 16, 2026

Tuition: $360.00 (12 weeks)   

FROM SEED TO CUP:  EXPLORING COFFEE DEEPER

This course will be a hands-on exploration and deeper dive into coffee origins, processing methods, coffee roasting, local coffee culture and additional barista skills.

Course Summary:

From Seed to Cup: Exploring Coffee Deeper is a hands-on continuation of foundational coffee education. This course dives into the complexities of coffee by exploring origin, processing, roasting, sensory analysis, and brewing science. Students will compare coffees from around the world, evaluate flavor through guided tastings, experiment with manual brewing methods, and explore how the roasting process affects coffee profiles. This course is designed for students who want to expand their knowledge, sharpen their palate, and develop a deeper appreciation for the art and science behind each cup.

Over the course of 12 weeks, students will:
• Gain skills to confidently prepare and lead coffee tastings
• Understand how origin, elevation, and climate affect coffee flavor
• Explore deeper into varying processing methods
• Learn and experience varying roasting methods
• Learn and apply cupping and sensory language
• Experience weekly guided coffee tastings and food pairings
• Explore additional manual brewing methods
• Investigate sustainability and ethical sourcing in coffee
• Develop critical thinking and communication through tasting and observation
• Interact and learn from local coffee rosters

Prerequisite: Student must have completed the Business Development Cafe & Barista Class to participate  

Course fee covers all materials (all handouts and resources, coffee tasting journals, weekly coffee and food tastings, barista supplies, etc)

12 weeks

$20 sibling discount

Schedule:

Tuesday 2:15 - 3:15 PM

January 13 - April 7, 2026

Spring Break - March 16, 2026

Tuition:  $360.00 (12 Weeks)