Time flies when you’re busy, and Paul Ross has been very busy, it has already been one year since our 7 part series following Paul as he opened the Special Guests cafe. How has the year gone? Let’s find out…

Paul opened the doors to Special Guests café in Marylebone, London—the culmination of months of planning, delays, and last-minute nerves that we documented across seven episodes. 

We covered everything from scouting the site and navigating hidden costs to finalising menus and hiring the team, we watched Paul transition Special Guests from a highly specialised online business to café operator, tackling the unglamorous realities behind the dream.

Now, twelve months later, we're back to ask: how did it actually go? Did the first-year numbers match those careful projections? Has the flagship strengthened the Special Guests brand, or stretched it thin? And with two major life events—opening a café and welcoming a baby—what has Paul learned about ambition, resilience, and what it really takes to build something lasting in one of the world's most competitive coffee markets?

00:00 - 05:00

: Introduction to the episode, featuring Paul Ross, owner of Special Guests Cafe, reflecting on the first year of operation. Discussion on the challenges and achievements of transitioning from an online business to a physical cafe.

05:01 - 15:00

: Paul shares insights on the realities of running a cafe in a competitive market like London, including the importance of resilience and maintaining a strong brand identity.

15:01 - 25:00

: The conversation shifts to the financial aspects of the business, discussing labor costs, revenue predictions, and the impact of high-end coffee offerings on profitability.

25:01 - 35:00

: Paul talks about the importance of team dynamics, hiring practices, and the role of a head of coffee in managing operations and maintaining quality.

35:01 - 45:00

: Reflections on personal growth, stress management, and the balance between professional and personal life, including the impact of having a baby during the first year of the cafe's operation.

45:01 - 55:00

: Future plans for Special Guests Cafe, including potential expansion, maintaining the uniqueness of the brand, and the importance of calculated risks in business growth.

55:01 - End

: Closing thoughts on the journey so far, advice for aspiring cafe owners, and the significance of community and mentorship in the coffee industry.