BIZwiz
Coffees Shop Owner Brews Coffee , Shares His Formula for Busin
Call it Jamaican tenacity , pragmatism , or ambition , but don ’ t attribute Randolph Bryan ’ s business endeavors to passion . He ’ s not one to dole out trite proclamations to aspiring entrepreneurs like “ Follow your passion ” or “ Do what you love and the money will follow .” Instead , he believes passion should be infused with gaining an understanding and mastery of the entrepreneurial process . “ Take the passion out of what you do first , and ensure that what you are planning on doing … that you are going to do it and do it well enough that it can become a career , and that it will sustain you ,” he advises . Bryan , whose foray into business began at age 15 , believes one of the reasons businesses fail is a misguided notion that passion can trump thorough planning . Research and a business plan are important to a business ’ success , he says .
“ A lot of times people will do things because it is what they like ,” he says , “ but at the first obstacle , they fold .” He also advises entrepreneurs to have an exit strategy . “ If you do not have an exit plan then you end up fighting and fighting to stay in something that might not be worth it . You have to think it through and have a plan ,” he adds with a sheepish grin .
Bryan admits that when he started out he didn ’ t take his own advice . “ I ventured out without a plan ,” he says . In 1994 , his job with Holiday Inn transferred him from Boston to
RANDOLPH BRYAN
Business Owner
South Dakota . Necessity presented an opportunity . “ There were no coffee shops . I had to buy coffee from a supermarket . That to me was like , ‘ Hey . What ’ s going on here ?’” Identifying a need , he seized the opportunity to open his first coffee shop . “ I just wanted to ensure that I had good coffee ,” he says , smiling .
And the rest is history . By the time he left South Dakota , he had coffee shops in several locations . After he and his family relocated to the Cedar Valley , he opened ( and then closed ) Cottonwood Canyon Coffee in Cedar Falls to focus primarily on the coffeehouse that still remains open at 218 E . 4th St . in Waterloo . Now , after nearly a decade , he recently returned to Cedar Falls with the opening of Cottonwood Canyon Coffee “ The House ” at 419 Washington St . on December 15 , 2016 .
Cottonwood Canyon Coffee is a popular spot for business meetups , artists , and community members . Customers can expect the same high quality , value , authenticity , and excellent customer service at both locations , along with a variety of coffees , fresh roasted coffee beans , and flavorful jerk chicken rice bowls and other dishes that one can only find at Cottonwood Canyon Coffee . In addition , an outdoor café , live music , and seasonal , grilled fare will be offered at the Cedar Falls spot . “ Be true to what you do ,” he says . “ I eat here and I love my food , but I am not a chef . The things I serve are things I developed for myself . If I think it ’ s good , I share it with you . I ’ m not
going to charge you $ 3 . wouldn ’ t pay for . If I b good we dump it out an says . Family values and a st with a drive to succeed to his success . Born in J his work ethic from his to be a hard worker to constantly moving , con kids ,” Bryan says .
From his father , he le work , as well . “ My fath broke you work . If you ’ you ’ re rich you work ,’” in Jamaica , Bryan says able lessons that he striv children .
Bryan ’ s work day sta pletes paperwork , shop shuttles his children to their activities . Despite owner keeps family as h “ I think it ’ s important what you do . My kids , a
14 BIZwiz
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