Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Heather Knox. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Heather, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?
We believe success is built on a foundation of passion and adaptability. First, pursue what genuinely excites you. If you’re in business, it’s best practice to understand who your ideal client or guest is—this clarity will guide your decisions. Next, develop a clear plan but be prepared mentally for it to not go as planned. Cultivate strong, positive relationships with your supporters, and always aim to provide them with value…& remember there is not business without them. Finally, remain open to pivoting when necessary; success often requires adjusting your approach along the way. Actually, one more thing – when you get too far from the fun, do your best to make your way back.
Heather, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Obet & Del’s Coffee is a third space, coffee shop, and roastery. We also serve tea and heavy snacks, all made by us and our partners who share our values. Our tagline, “Your Neighborhood Coffee Haven,” truly reflects who we are. We prioritize treating the community with care, creating a space where people from all walks of life feel welcome to connect, create, and be a part of something meaningful.
Josh and I come from strong hospitality backgrounds. I managed catered events for one of the largest catering companies in LA at the time. My focus included large music venues, overseeing everything from pre- and post-show events, fulfilling performers’ riders, providing backstage meals for crews, corporate and non-profit events, and managing events at venues on their off-days. Josh managed conventions in Las Vegas, and we met while he oversaw concession and on-site restaurant operations for one of the largest restaurant groups in LA—the same company I worked for.
We were happy but overworked. We didn’t see a sustainable future and wanted to escape to plan for something more. We used some of our savings to travel and this is where we discovered our passion not just for coffee but for coffee shops—the owners, the guests, the flow, and the idea that they are the best place to find community, no matter where you are in the world. We traveled and always began our days in small, well-designed shops, often in search of an affogato (…because why not?!).
We wanted that experience in our neighborhood—to create a hub in our own community. So, we returned home with a mission.
We hunted for the right space, gathered our savings, worked meantime to stack more money and committed to doing whatever it took to make it happen—lots of sweat equity, and literal blood, sweat, and tears. It wasn’t easy but we’re workers. We love to pull shots and service guests as much as we love to plan growth and operate the back end.
The message to your readers would be, you can do it. I promise you, if you’re passionate about it, you can. Go for it.
How do you keep your team’s morale high?
Base your training and operations manual on your ideal team and get to know each personality you hire as an individual so that you can understand how to approach training for different levels of experience.
Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?
We do, though we could do a better job marketing that! We roast our own coffee weekly, source our own loose-leaf tea and matcha, and prepare all our food in-house. We’re also in the process of developing our pastry program. The goal is to bring everything in-house, and we’re making progress, slowly but surely.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.obetanddels.com
- Instagram: obetanddels
Image Credits
Jon Perdomo – A Garden For Us @agardenforus