It's Founder Friday! Today we are chatting with the professional Rugby player turned specialty cafe owner, Jake Heenan of Burra Bristol!

Jake has played professional rugby for over 13 years and started Burra, an antipodean café in Bristol, while still playing full-time. It’s grown to three sites and won multiple awards - shaped by the same principles of culture, teamwork, and performance that he has lived in sport.

The kitchen, known for it's amazing brunch, is headed by Michelin starred chef Toru Yanada and the cafe has focused its energy on high standards of hospitality, community, and quality.

Today we talk with Jake about his career in rugby, the founding of Burra, and the leadership and performance lessons that have come from sports to help build Burra Bristol into the exceptional hospitality experience it is today. 

• Jake's journey from rugby to hospitality
• How resilience and teamwork are essential lessons learned from sports that apply to running a coffee shop.
• Why creating a welcoming atmosphere in a coffee shop is as important as the product itself.
• Hiring the right people as the crucial focus for building a successful team in hospitality.
• Developing empathy in leadership to foster a positive work culture and enhance team dynamics.
• Why continuous improvement is key to success in the hospitality industry.
• The art of communication and feedback as essential for team development and performance.
• Balancing food and coffee offerings 
• The journey of building a business and why you need patience for growth.

Links: 

https://burrabristol.co.uk/

@burrabristol

Related episodes:

• 472: Why Technical Skill as a Leader is Not Enough w/ Jonathan Raymond, Refound, Author: Good Authority
• 355: Baristas! 6 Essential Qualities to Get Yourself Hired
• 430 : Embracing “Unreasonable Hospitality” w/ Will Guidara | Thank You NYC + The Welcome Conference
• 310 : Founder Friday w/ Jelynn Malone and Beverly Magtanong of Mostra Coffee
• 287 : Learning to Shift your Mind w/ Brian Levenson
• 258 : Prioritizing your Mental Health in the New Year w/ Dr. Lara Pence
• 301 : Hiring and Training for Excellence

INTERESTED IN 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING?

If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email 

[email protected]

of book a free call now: 

https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min 

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Visit @artobrick

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