A Visual Experience Space - CAFE ORR MONTREAL
Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Daniel Burt, owner of CAFÉ ORR MONTREAL, located in Montreal, QC, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Cafe Orr is an experience for all senses and provides a variety of seating areas completely different in character. With a built-in cinema area free of charge and license to show basically any movie, it is an attraction for local filmmakers and a crowd with diverse artistic interests; the music is curated and not on the low volume range in a way that makes customers comfortable to have lively conversations, it became a destination cafe even though it is located on Papineau street!
Tell us about yourself
I was an architect most of my life and had a complete career change after an event in my personal life. I designed the cafe and did most of the interior work except for some signature elements by local artists and craftsmen. Customers find a personal connection here, and to this day, almost everyone comes to say they had a good time and that they love the place.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
The biggest accomplishment was to be consistent with the personalized nonuniform theme; every seating area is unique, every chair is one of a kind, every barista is unique and different, everything we are used to seeing done in a certain way is done with a difference.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The hardest and most welcome thing was the total attention and time-consuming job of managing/working in the cafe. I put a lot on the line by buying the place and all the business equipment (two mortgages) and interior, with no plan b! Being busy and doing all the jobs, including what the baristas do, is understanding the difficulties and getting more efficient. I welcomed both because they were critical for survival; they required managing my sleep and personal life to fit.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Make the employees happy! The rewards are immense!
- Don't expect anyone to work as hard as you do for your business!
- Evolve! Look at every feature you have and think about how to create a better experience and space all the time.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I tell my baristas, the customer is the most important, but not in this cafe! Here the baristas are the most important and have me on their side always!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.cafeorr.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cafeorr/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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