my New Year's resolution is to sell more coffee and buy this: www.hebrewsjava.com

My 9 year old, Trenton, is one of the most creative kids in the world. The other day he found some wheels off of an old toy grocery cart, and he was set to build a dolly. He visited the garage and found a small piece of plywood, and was ready to build.

So we went to Home Depot to find some nuts to use, but found out that one of his wheels had the threads stripped. So we ended up buying some new wheels, and I couldn’t leave out my 7 year old. So we purchased 2 sets of wheels.

Within minutes of getting home both boys were off to the garage to build their dollies. I helped drill some starter holes so they could screw in the wheels. 15 minutes later the project was done. I never imagined that such a small project could bring so much joy for a kid. They carted things around all day long.

We may never know what impact these little projects have on our children. The fact is that us dad’s need to take the time for our kids, even though it may seem small to us. I have to remind myself of that thought each and every day. So next week I’m sure there will be a new and exciting project, but I’ll do my best to help out however I can.

Proud Dad,
Brandon Gott
www.baristadecasa.com

full day of shopping $XX.XX, refillable Diet Coke $1.07, kids playing @ McDonalds playland . . . Priceless!

Top 10 Ways to Eliminate Global Warming

1. Take Cold Showers

2. Eliminate outdoor BBQ’s

3. Couples sleep in separate beds

4. Install large fans on Mt. Everest

5. Politicians can no longer speak in public

6. Outlaw all Snuggies

7. Drink only room temperature brewed beverages (This includes Coffee)

8. Do not allow any more cooking shows on television

9. Eliminate any kind of friction (You name it!)

10. Leave the “Barn” door open

Thankful that my baby boy Blake is turning 7 today. He's such a great kid!

Liberty Police asking for help:
http://ping.fm/aOMQc

KCPD's Finest at work MUST SEE VIDEO, Great Job Guys! http://ping.fm/zQgmA Please RT

What would the UK do without Starbucks? . . . otherwise they'd still be drinking tea http://ping.fm/mFPaX

Watching as the Nation mourns our fallen heroes: http://ping.fm/CMs86

facebook hits 350 million friends http://ping.fm/kEkx8

Join the Fight Against Stale Coffee

Barista de Casa’s desire is to take over the nasty red cans that line our grocery store shelves. Each year millions of Americans start their day by drinking stale, bitter, nasty coffee. These consumers then hit the roads and head to their daily work without having the opportunity of drinking the best tasting coffee that their pallet can afford.

This project is somewhat a scientific trial; however we are trying to raise funds to purchase a new coffee roaster to increase our volume. Donations are starting at only $1.00. Just think if 100 people give $1.00, and they can get 10 of their friends to also donate $1.00 and those 1,000 people each had 10 friends give $1.00 the outcome would total over $11,000. Any amount above and beyond would be donated to local churches and or charities. Who knows what could happen? Pass the word along!

looking forward to visiting with the Applegates and hearing about their ministry in Uganda. www.theapplegates.net

Looking forward to trying out some Organic Guatemalan coffee in the a.m.

Gearing up for the Coffee Around the World Tour. Today I picked up some Guatemalan and Nicaraguan coffee. The coffee will be shipped out starting in November, but it’s not too late to sign up for the tour.
http://ping.fm/PkALl

Also in November we will be working with a start up coffee bar in Cottonwood Falls KS. I’m real excited to have the opportunity to deliver fresh roasted coffee for The Gallery at Cottonwood Falls.

Coming up in December we plan on partnering with www.bellyupbbq once again by providing 1 lb. of coffee to every BBQ of the Month subscriber. Last year it was 15 lbs, but this year it will be around 50 lbs. Good times.
Brandon

I am now able to send updates through www.ping.fm!

Is Social Media Really the Answer?

For almost the past 2 years I’ve been plunking away at the infamous Social Media Networks. First it was FB then Twitter, now I’m adjusting to a few more just so I can have a wider audience. But at the end of the day do I have more customers now because of Social Media, and is Social Media really the answer?

The short answer is “yes and no”. Looking back how did I really get my customers? It’s very rare that a new customer just pops up out of no where. I’ve found that my customers are mainly due to the fact that they know me personally or that they know my wife.

Late this summer we put up a tent for 8 Thursday afternoons at the Briarcliff Village Farmer’s Market. This was a new adventure for us as we quickly got out of marketing to our internal customers per se. The opportunity was very positive and within a few weeks we had a small following. It was definitely worth my time and I plan on doing similar events next year. But the main thing that I have learned is that business is generated by doing business.

Social Media is a nice tool and it is a good way to get your name out there, but ultimately people make purchases because of contacts. Over the past year I generated several FB Ads for the business. To date those ads have earned me $0. I may have future customers as a result, but that really illustrates that it’s more than just advertisement. Customers do not just appear over night because of a bill board; although that would be easier at times. It takes time, it takes action and it takes connecting with people. So far my best marketing scheme is my wife. Her nights at Bunco, her status updates, her casual conversations with a neighbors and even her constructive criticism of my ideas are all what helps me sell coffee.

It’s like the saying I learned in college . . . “if a tree falls in the forest and no one is around does is make a sound?” I would venture to say if I market my coffee business without connecting with people, my business will ultimately fail. Social Media is great if you’re making noise by taking the time and actively connecting with others. Now I just hope that someone will read this article.

Brandon Gott
www.baristadecasa.com

Liberty Fall Festival

This weekend was the Liberty Fall Festival. I'm hoping to sell coffee next year, but this year was dedicated to church and supporting my wife's business Celebrating Home. Both Friday and Saturday had great weather, and the festival drew thousands of people.

My main job today was being the balloonist. Yes, for 2 1/2 hours I felt like I made up over 300 balloons. It was extremely fun, and I enjoyed seeing the others have the opportunity to engage the community.

Great weekend and I'm extremely wasted, but wanted to share my experience with you all! Enjoy the rest of your weekend. . . now when will I mow the lawn?

Philosophy on flavored coffee

One of my favorite types of candy is the infamous Jelly Belly. I especially like the popcorn and coffee flavors of course. I’m not sure why, but the popcorn seems to be the most identifiable flavor of all. But that’s candy, not coffee.

I’ve recently been asked if I sell any “flavored coffee”. “My husband just loves hazelnut coffee,” said one potential patron. While I do enjoy a good caramel macchiato on occasion; I do find it very difficult to add flavoring to fresh roasted coffee. For me the caramel flavoring helps dissolve the burnt coffee offered at the corner coffee shop.

What most people fail to realize is that coffee is very flavorful, and cupping coffee is an art in of itself. I am just beginning to learn the various nuances of the smells and tastes of fine coffee. Recently my wife purchased an iced coffee from a well known fast food restaurant. She told me that something just wasn’t right about it. I took a sip. It had a great flavor and plenty of sugar and chocolate, but I could taste a small trace of alkaline in her cup. Once I told her, she could recognize it. Should coffee really taste like the tip of a 9 volt battery covered in chocolate?

I have made a conscience decision to not sell flavored or altered forms of coffee in my roasting business. The main reason is that once you have fresh roasted coffee there is nothing that compares to the already flavorful taste. There are so many variables of flavor in any single origin of coffee, that it would be a waste in my opinion to mask the true taste. Flavored coffee is a lie in of itself as it is merely masking poor quality coffee while still promoting high priced brew. It’s just as bad as soaking a tough steak in a chemical based tenderizer.

Wake up and really smell the coffee! Flavored coffee is a bait and switch. It may look good, smell good and be drinkable; however it’s still not what your pallet could truly afford. I challenge you to stop drinking stale, flavored brew and see what fresh roasted coffee could do for you.

Brandon Gott

www.baristadecasa.com

Coffee Around the World Tour 2010

Introducing Barista de Casa’s newest opportunity to try some of the world’s finest coffees. You will not want to miss being a part of this great program. We will begin the program in November, and will continue it through April.

Here is how it works. Every month you will receive 2 different kinds of single origin fresh roasted coffee.. Local customers can still have the coffee hand delivered, and those outside the Greater Kansas City area can have it shipped directly to your home. Over the entire 6 month period you will travel via your coffee mug all the way around the coffee globe. You will learn the various nuances of coffee relating to geographical locations and coffee growing conditions. There are several different cost options including a 6 month plan and a 3 month plan. We’re excited to give you the Coffee Around the World Club! Sign up today!

January will highlight Jamaican Blue Mountain, and April will highlight Fancy Kona, both coffees will come at no extra charge!

Coffee Schedule:

November………………………………Guatemala and Nicaragua
December…………………………..………...Brazilian and Panama
January.…........................Jamaican Blue Mountain and PNG
February……………………………………….Ethiopia and Uganda
March………………………………………...........Java and Sumatra
April………………………………………..……..Kona and Australian

* Origins subject to change based upon availability

http://baristadecasa.com/coffee-around-the-world-tour-2010