Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Fran Matos. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Fran, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s easy to look at a business or industry as an outsider and assume it’s super profitable – but we’ve seen over and over again in our conversation with folks that most industries have factors that make profitability a challenge. What’s biggest challenge to profitability in your industry?

As a small business, one of the biggest challenges is cost of goods. We often don’t have credit terms, we don’t buy at the same volume and frequency as larger corporations so we end up paying much more for the same items.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I was born and raised in Puerto Rico. My background is in hospitality management. I have a BA in Hotel & Restaurant Management from the University of Puerto Rico and a Master of Science in Hospitality Management from Florida International University. I worked in the industry for over 15 years before opening my coffee shop- had the opportunity to work for companies like Marriott and Hyatt in different places around the US (Miami, San Diego, and Chicago).

Growing up in PR, our house was always brewing coffee and it served as a way for us to connect as family and friends. Having a cup of coffee would be our time to check in on each other, catch up, and even have deeper conversations.

Crema is a small coffee shop in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago. I am most proud of the community we have created and to be a safe space for our neighbors to enjoy great coffee and tea, really tasty snacks, and a chill atmosphere where they can catch up with friends or work remotely for a few hours. As an owner, I believe that the coffee experience should be simple and enjoyable, always in your own way.

My goal is to continue growing a brand that focuses in a transparent, affordable coffee experience within a space where everyone is welcome and feels safe. A brand that allows me to share a bit of my culture while I learn from others.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

Our neighborhood is very diverse. Uptown has a wide range of ages, people from different backgrounds and income levels. We have a good amount of locals following us on social media but we have also done flyers to capture people who are not necessarily online or not as often. A mix of social media, printed material, and reaching out to neighboring businesses is ideal. The small businesses in the neighborhood support each other, from consumption to advice to moral support. When neighbors see that we know and trust each other, they are more open to trying what we offer!

Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?

I can tell you about our roaster. When I first started sourcing coffee beans, way before the coffee shop was fully open, I had a really hard time finding a roaster that would work with me. I did not have credit or references in the industry. Reaching out to medium and larger roasters was challenging since they mostly required very high minimums. I did not have the volume of sales or storage space for this-I was just starting.

I was very fortunate to find our roaster, Maple Leaf Coffee Roasters. They are located in Roselle, about 30 miles outside of Chicago. Alex and Lynn were so flexible and understanding, and they deeply care to offer a quality product and our values of community are aligned. Our partnership has been growing within the last few years and I could not be more grateful. We have four blends specifically made for Crema that range from a light breakfast blend to a smooth espresso blend.

Alex and Lynn have also been an incredible source of information and help throughout the growth process. Being back in Puerto Rico, I had been able to spend time in farms and small roasteries so I had a good idea about the process but have learned so much from since.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.shopcrema.com
• Instagram: @shop.crema
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shop.crema
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crema-shop