We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Faith Lansdon. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Faith below.
Faith, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. One deeply underappreciated facet of entrepreneurship is the kind of crazy stuff we have to deal with as business owners. Sometimes it’s crazy positive sometimes it’s crazy negative, but crazy experiences unite entrepreneurs regardless of industry. Can you share a crazy story with our readers?
Opening our first brick-and-mortar café just 57 days before COVID hit was a rollercoaster, to say the least. We had built a strong, loyal following from our whimsical food truck, which catapulted us into popularity at our new location. However, when the pandemic struck, we had to completely pivot to curbside service only.
The craziest experience since opening our café has to be our first Mother’s Day. It was a day of the biggest and most successful disaster to date! Our point-of-sale provider had just rolled out online ordering, supposedly limiting orders to five per 20-minute increment. We anticipated a busy day and arrived extra early to prepare. Little did we know, the app malfunctioned, and tickets started printing non-stop in our kitchen and coffee prep areas. It was mayhem.
To add to the chaos, many customers failed to enter their car details or phone numbers, making it nearly impossible to locate them in our 150-space parking lot. Some customers didn’t like their pickup times and showed up one to two hours early. Our usual weekend staff of three was increased to eight for the holiday, but it still felt like an insurmountable task. The team was running non-stop, trying to match orders to cars, dealing with missing online orders, and answering the incessantly ringing phone for call-in orders.
By 9:30 AM, just an hour and a half after opening at 8 AM, we had to shut down online and call-in orders to catch up. It took us two frantic hours to get back on track, during which we ran out of strawberries, bananas, and blueberries. It was a complete dumpster fire!
Yet, amidst the chaos, something amazing happened. Customers donned masks and gloves, volunteering to help deliver orders to cars. Thanks to the incredible effort of my amazing team and the unexpected support from our customers, we were able to resume taking orders and continue through the day. Despite the madness, it turned out to be our highest-grossing day ever.
It was crazy, but my team held it together with remarkable resilience, and we had very few customer complaints. That day truly showcased the spirit of our community and the dedication of our staff.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My journey into the café business began with a deep passion for food and a love for bringing people together. Before opening our brick-and-mortar café, I started with a whimsical food truck that quickly gained a loyal following. The food truck allowed us to experiment with unique, playful dishes that resonated with people, and this success gave us the confidence to open our first permanent location.
Our café specializes in offering creatively crafted beignets and international coffees. We wanted to expose the community to incredible, authentically brewed coffees from around the world. Each cup is a journey, taking our customers to different corners of the globe through rich and diverse flavors. Paired with our delicate, freshly made beignets, our menu provides a truly unique culinary experience.
One of the core problems we solve for our clients is providing a welcoming and inspiring space where they can enjoy delicious, thoughtfully prepared food. In a fast-paced world, we offer a respite where people can relax, connect, and indulge in a delightful culinary experience. Our café is not just a place to grab a quick bite; it’s a destination where customers can savor each moment and each flavor.
What sets us apart is our commitment to community and creativity. From the beginning, we’ve focused on building strong relationships with our customers and local suppliers. Our café is a reflection of the vibrant community we serve, and we are constantly evolving our menu and offerings based on feedback and inspiration from our patrons. The whimsical elements of our food truck days are still very much alive in our café, making each visit a unique and enjoyable experience.
Moreover, our café is artfully decorated with works from local artists, all of which are for sale. This not only creates a visually stimulating environment but also supports and showcases the incredible talent within our community. Each piece of art tells a story and adds to the unique atmosphere of our café.
I am incredibly proud of how our team handled the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Pivoting to curbside service almost overnight was no small feat, but we managed to do it while maintaining the quality and integrity of our offerings. Our first Mother’s Day in the café, despite being a logistical nightmare, highlighted the strength and dedication of our team and the incredible support of our customers. It was a testament to our resilience and commitment to serving our community.
For potential clients and followers, I want you to know that our café is more than just a place to eat—it’s a place where creativity and community come together. We are dedicated to providing exceptional food and service, and we are always looking for ways to innovate and improve. Whether you’re a regular customer or a first-time visitor, we strive to make every experience memorable and enjoyable.
In summary, our brand is built on a foundation of passion, community, and creativity. We are here to offer more than just a meal; we offer an experience that nourishes both body and soul. We look forward to welcoming you to our café and sharing our love for great food, great coffee, and great art with you.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Certainly! One story from my journey that truly illustrates my resilience involves a significant and deeply personal challenge I faced after six years in business. I made the courageous decision to leave an abusive relationship, which also meant dissolving our business partnership. My spirit had been beaten down, and I was simultaneously trying to heal from the trauma of the relationship and rebuild my business brand.
During this incredibly challenging time, I was blessed with an incredible community of support. Friends, family, neighbors, and customers all rallied behind me. They helped repair and renovate the café, transforming it into a newly invigorated space with a beautiful patio. The process was grueling, and there were moments when I didn’t think I would make it through. However, I tapped into a strength and courage I didn’t know I had and charged ahead, determined to create a new chapter for myself and my business.
Around the same time, I entered the annual Edible Memphis Champion Sip Iced Coffee competition. In collaboration with a previous coworker, we created a unique drink called the Purple Haze. Our entry took first place in the bracket and became the most tagged coffee on social media. This victory was a testament to the power of community and the incredible support I received during one of the toughest periods of my life.
I couldn’t have achieved any of this without the unwavering help and support of my community. Their belief in me and their willingness to lend a hand when I needed it most not only helped me rebuild my café but also restored my faith in myself and my dreams. This experience taught me the true meaning of resilience and the importance of leaning on those who care about you during difficult times.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
Building our reputation within the market has been a journey focused on a few key principles, with the number one goal being providing extraordinary customer service. In an industry characterized by narrow margins and fierce competition, it’s critical to keep customers coming back, and we’ve achieved this by creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone.
We celebrate diversity and cultivate a safe place where people from all walks of life can come and be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of race, religion, culture, political affiliations, or socioeconomic status. Unlike many coffee shops that tend to cater to a specific demographic with similar decor and coffee offerings, we strive to break that mold. Our café is designed to be a place where anyone can feel at home, reflecting a genuine and diverse community atmosphere.
A significant factor that sets us apart is our staff. They are truly the heart and soul of our café. Their ability to remember regulars’ names and orders creates a personal and welcoming experience that keeps people coming back. It’s this personal touch and attention to detail that our customers appreciate and remember. Over the years, we’ve built a large base of regulars who visit us weekly, and it never ceases to amaze me how many out-of-state regulars we’ve accumulated. These customers always make a point to stop by when they’re in town, which is a testament to the memorable experiences we provide.
Additionally, our commitment to quality and creativity in our offerings has played a significant role. From our creatively crafted beignets to our international coffees, we provide unique and high-quality products that stand out in a crowded market. Our participation and success in competitions, like winning first place with our Purple Haze iced coffee in the Edible Memphis Champion Sip Iced Coffee competition, also help to bolster our reputation and showcase our innovative spirit.
In essence, our reputation has been built on a foundation of extraordinary customer service, inclusivity, a dedicated and personable staff, and a commitment to quality and creativity. This approach has created a loyal and diverse customer base that continues to grow and support us, reinforcing our standing in the market.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.voodoocafebartlett.com
- Instagram: @thevoodoocafe
- Facebook: @voodoocafebartlett
Image Credits
Elly Hazelrig, of Haze Photography & Media