Valor Coffee Podcast

Valor Coffee

A podcast and video show hosted by seasoned coffee pros and Valor Coffee founders Ethan Rivers, Ross Walters and Riley Westbrook where we discuss coffee, starting and running a business, and the specialty coffee industry.

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Top 10 Valor Coffee Podcast Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Valor Coffee Podcast episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Valor Coffee Podcast for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Valor Coffee Podcast episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Why Your Coffee Shop SHOULD NOT Start Roasting – 06/05/2024

Valor Coffee Podcast

06/07/24 • 68 min

Sign Up for Alerts About Our Community (coming soon) – Courses, Exclusive Videos, PDFs, Spreadsheets and more: https://mailchi.mp/018d9c38a953/valorcafecommunity
Thanks for listening, following/subscribing, giving us a good review, and sharing with your friends on social media. It goes a long way!
This week Riley and Ross chop up something we here from sooooo many wholesale partners: "Yeah, we'll probably eventually start roasting..." As a company who has taken this path, we feel it's our duty to tell of the downsides we've faced in our years running a Roasting and Wholesale operation. It isn't as simple as some make it out to be that roasting will simply "save money on coffee costs" and we dive into why that's the case. We'll be following up with an episode on why it IS a good idea to roast your own coffee, so stay tuned!
*If you purchase something through one of our links, we may be entitled to a share of the sale*
Huge thanks to our partner Third Wave Water for sponsoring this episode! TWW enhances our brews by getting our water perfect for our coffee. Use code VALOR at checkout for 10% off your purchase! https://thirdwavewater.com
We're partnered with Clive to bring you sweet deal at a discounted rate! Use Discount Code VALOR5 at checkout for 5% off Lucca and Eureka products!
Shop Clive products here: https://clivecoffee.com?sca_ref=5315485.6axWuRlcEr
Buy Valor Coffee: https://valor.coffee/shop
Watch on Youtube: https://youtube.com/valorcoffee16
Want to become a Wholesale Partner? Email us at [email protected] to set up an account!
Want us to review your coffee? Have a question you want to answer on the show? Send us an email to [email protected]
Follow the Valor Coffee Podcast on Instagram: http://instagram.com/valorcoffeepod
Follow Valor on Instagram: http://instagram.com/valor.coffee
____
Subscribe to Riley's YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/@rileywestbrook
Follow Riley: https://instagram.com/rileywestbrook
Follow Ross: https://instagram.com/rosswalters
Follow Ethan's Parody Account: https://instagram.com/ethanrivers777
00:00 Introduction
04:45 Getting high quality appliances saves money in the long run
16:33 We’re drinking a coffee from Dayglow today
23:21 Discussing refractometry & testing total dissolved solids of our water
34:37 Should you roast your own coffee? What other options are there?
45:15 What steps should someone take before they start?
55:10 Some of the early struggles & risks of opening a roastery
01:03:28 Where our heads were at when we opened our roastery
01:07:35 Conclusion

Q&A: Barista vs Roasting Job + Should Baristas Have to Work Weekends? – 05/01/2024

Valor Coffee Podcast

05/03/24 • 68 min

Sign Up for Alerts About Our Community (coming soon) – Courses, Exclusive Videos, PDFs, Spreadsheets and more: https://mailchi.mp/018d9c38a953/valorcafecommunity
Thanks for listening, following/subscribing, giving us a good review, and sharing with your friends on social media. It goes a long way!
This week we field a few questions, including helping one listener choose between stepping forward as a barista or making a move to roasting operations and answering another listener's question about firm "must work weekend" policies for baristas. Thanks for listening!
*If you purchase something through one of our links, we may be entitled to a share of the sale*
Huge thanks to our partner Third Wave Water for sponsoring this episode! TWW enhances our brews by getting our water perfect for our coffee. Use code VALOR at checkout for 10% off your purchase! https://thirdwavewater.com
We're partnered with Clive to bring you sweet deal at a discounted rate! Use Discount Code VALOR5 at checkout for 5% off Lucca and Eureka products!
Shop Clive products here: https://clivecoffee.com?sca_ref=5315485.6axWuRlcEr
Buy Valor Coffee: https://valor.coffee/shop
Watch on Youtube: https://youtube.com/valorcoffee16
Want to become a Wholesale Partner? Email us at [email protected] to set up an account!
Want us to review your coffee? Have a question you want to answer on the show? Send us an email to [email protected]
Follow the Valor Coffee Podcast on Instagram: http://instagram.com/valorcoffeepod
Follow Valor on Instagram: http://instagram.com/valor.coffee
____
Subscribe to Riley's YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/@rileywestbrook
Follow Riley: https://instagram.com/rileywestbrook
Follow Ross: https://instagram.com/rosswalters
Follow Ethan's Parody Account: https://instagram.com/ethanrivers777
00:00 Introduction
01:14 Our new partnership with Third Wave Water
09:08 Does the importing of coffee differ depending on the location of your roastery?
13:16 Q: I have two opportunities to advance my career, which should I take?
24:28 Contrasting a secure, boring job vs a lower paying, engaging career
30:46 Q: Do you have policies that require baristas to work certain schedules?
43:55 Q: Do you have advice about implementing big changes?
51:02 The hardest part of our jobs right now, as owners
01:06:42 Conclusion

Designing a Cafe When You Can’t Afford an Interior Designer – 11/13/2024

Valor Coffee Podcast

11/18/24 • 60 min

JOIN THE VALOR COFFEE COMMUNITY – Courses, Exclusive Videos, PDFs, Spreadsheets and more: https://community.valor.coffee/invitation?code=E3A29B

Thanks for listening, following/subscribing, giving us a good review, and sharing with your friends on social media. It goes a long way!
Opening a coffee shop likely means sacrificing the option of working with an interior designer. In this episode, we share practical tips and lessons learned from building out two cafes without the help of designers; from paint hacks and lighting choices to prioritizing resilient materials and creating Instagram-worthy moments, we break down the small design decisions that make a big impact. Plus, our thoughts on outfitting a merch area, and why not installing too many electrical outlets can save the vibe of your space.

*If you purchase something through one of our links, we may be entitled to a share of the sale*
Huge thanks to our partner Third Wave Water for sponsoring this episode! TWW enhances our brews by getting our water perfect for our coffee. Use code VALOR at checkout for 15% off your purchase! https://thirdwavewater.com
We're partnered with Clive to bring you sweet deal at a discounted rate! Use Discount Code VALOR5 at checkout for 5% off Mahlkonig, Anfim and Eureka products!
Shop Clive products here: https://clivecoffee.com?sca_ref=5315485.6axWuRlcEr
Want to get your business in front of more people? We partnered with Local Eyes Growth to grow our business through SEO and the results have been incredible. Want to do the same? Visit localeyesgrowth.com/valor to get 50% off website services and 20% SEO services!
Buy Valor Coffee: https://valor.coffee/shop
Watch on Youtube: https://youtube.com/valorcoffee16
Want to become a Wholesale Partner? Email us at [email protected] to set up an account!
Want us to review your coffee? Have a question you want to answer on the show? Send us an email to [email protected]
Follow the Valor Coffee Podcast on Instagram: http://instagram.com/valorcoffeepod
Follow Valor on Instagram: http://instagram.com/valor.coffee
____
Subscribe to Riley's YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/@rileywestbrook
Follow Riley: https://instagram.com/rileywestbrook
Follow Ross: https://instagram.com/rosswalters
Follow Ethan's Parody Account: https://instagram.com/ethanrivers777

The Story of Valor Part 1: Creation, Kickstarter, Cart Buildout – 09/11/2024

Valor Coffee Podcast

09/19/24 • 85 min

JOIN THE VALOR COFFEE COMMUNITY – Courses, Exclusive Videos, PDFs, Spreadsheets and more: https://community.valor.coffee/invitation?code=E3A29B

Thanks for listening, following/subscribing, giving us a good review, and sharing with your friends on social media. It goes a long way!
In this episode of the Valor Podcast, we dive into Part 1 of The Story of Valor, where it all began. From friendships formed in high school to early coffee experiences that sparked a love for specialty coffee, we walk through the origin of how we, three 18- and 19-year-olds, decided to start a business with nothing but passion and curiosity. Join us as we reflect on navigating the challenges of finding direction, raising funds through Kickstarter, building our first mobile coffee cart, and booking our first events. Whether you’re starting your own business or just curious about the ups and downs of launching a coffee company, this one’s for you. Stay tuned for Part 2!

*If you purchase something through one of our links, we may be entitled to a share of the sale*
We're partnered with Clive to bring you sweet deal at a discounted rate! Use Discount Code VALOR5 at checkout for 5% off Lucca and Eureka products!
Shop Clive products here: https://clivecoffee.com?sca_ref=5315485.6axWuRlcEr
Buy Valor Coffee: https://valor.coffee/shop
Watch on Youtube: https://youtube.com/valorcoffee16
Want to become a Wholesale Partner? Email us at [email protected] to set up an account!
Want us to review your coffee? Have a question you want to answer on the show? Send us an email to [email protected]
Follow the Valor Coffee Podcast on Instagram: http://instagram.com/valorcoffeepod
Follow Valor on Instagram: http://instagram.com/valor.coffee
____
Subscribe to Riley's YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/@rileywestbrook
Follow Riley: https://instagram.com/rileywestbrook
Follow Ross: https://instagram.com/rosswalters
Follow Ethan's Parody Account: https://instagram.com/ethanrivers777

Three Changes That Will Take Your Mobile Coffee Cart to New Heights – 10/16/2024

Valor Coffee Podcast

10/21/24 • 50 min

JOIN THE VALOR COFFEE COMMUNITY – Courses, Exclusive Videos, PDFs, Spreadsheets and more: https://community.valor.coffee/invitation?code=E3A29B

Thanks for listening, following/subscribing, giving us a good review, and sharing with your friends on social media. It goes a long way!
This ep we dive into carts, sharing lessons learned from years of catering experience. From undercharging and overcharging to dealing with equipment malfunctions, we've seen... a lot. Today we focus on three game-changing tips that will take your coffee cart to new heights, including topics from streamlining your menu to improving customer flow and charging appropriately for events. If you’re looking to up your mobile coffee game, this episode is packed with useful insights!

The Most Overlooked Aspect of Specialty Coffee: Water – 11/19/2024

Valor Coffee Podcast

12/09/24 • 77 min

JOIN THE VALOR COFFEE COMMUNITY – Courses, Exclusive Videos, PDFs, Spreadsheets and more: https://community.valor.coffee/invitation?code=E3A29B

Thanks for listening, following/subscribing, giving us a good review, and sharing with your friends on social media. It goes a long way!
In this episode, we sit down with Taylor and Charles from Third Wave Water to dive deep into one of the most overlooked aspects of specialty coffee—water. They break down how water composition impacts coffee extraction, flavor, and even equipment longevity. From understanding the science of minerals to practical advice for cafes and home brewers, this conversation is packed with knowledge that will transform the way you think about brewing. Whether you're an espresso enthusiast, a pour-over perfectionist, or a cafe owner looking to optimize your setup, this episode is for you.

What Does It Even Mean To Break Even? – 06/28/2024

Valor Coffee Podcast

06/28/24 • 61 min

Sign Up for Alerts About Our Community (coming soon) – Courses, Exclusive Videos, PDFs, Spreadsheets and more: https://mailchi.mp/018d9c38a953/valorcafecommunity
DOWNLOAD THE CAFE VIABILITY SPREADSHEET: https://mailchi.mp/valor/viability-spreadsheet
Thanks for listening, following/subscribing, giving us a good review, and sharing with your friends on social media. It goes a long way!
Ever wondered what “breaking even” really means for a business? In this episode we delve into the concept of breaking even, exploring its nuances and how it applies to running a coffee shop. From understanding initial costs to navigating profitability, we break down the financial complexities of the coffee business, along with spelling out the difference of profitability and actually putting money in your pockets.

Join us as we discuss:

The real meaning of breaking even
The challenges of achieving profitability in the coffee industry
Key financial metrics every business owner should know
Our personal experiences and strategies for financial success

What It’s Really Like Being a Barista - 03/06/2024

Valor Coffee Podcast

03/08/24 • 77 min

DOWNLOAD THE CAFE VIABILITY SPREADSHEET: https://mailchi.mp/valor/viability-spreadsheet
Sign Up for Alerts About Our Community (coming soon) – Courses, Exclusive Videos, PDFs, Spreadsheets and more: https://mailchi.mp/018d9c38a953/valorcafecommunity
Thanks for listening, following/subscribing, giving us a good review, and sharing with your friends on social media. It goes a long way!
Today we’re joined by three of our incredible baristas – Lillabea Goins, Paul Judy, and Joey Cristofanelli. Ethan converses panel-style, throwing out questions about the squad’s history in the coffee industry, the romantic and dirty parts of the job, and more. We’re blessed by the folks who work with Valor, and we think this episode really shows that!
*If you purchase something through one of our links, we may be entitled to a share of the sale*
We're partnered with Clive to bring you sweet deal at a discounted rate! Use Discount Code VALOR5 at checkout for 5% off Lucca and Eureka products!
Shop Clive products here: https://clivecoffee.com?sca_ref=5315485.6axWuRlcEr
Buy Valor Coffee: https://valor.coffee/shop
Watch on Youtube: https://youtube.com/valorcoffee16
Want to become a Wholesale Partner? Email us at [email protected] to set up an account!
Want us to review your coffee? Have a question you want to answer on the show? Send us an email to [email protected]
Follow the Valor Coffee Podcast on Instagram: http://instagram.com/valorcoffeepod
Follow Valor on Instagram: http://instagram.com/valor.coffee
____
Subscribe to Riley's YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/@rileywestbrook
Follow Riley: https://instagram.com/rileywestbrook
Follow Ross: https://instagram.com/rosswalters
Follow Ethan's Parody Account: https://instagram.com/ethanrivers777
00:00 Introduction
02:27 Welcome to the Barista Q&A
04:45 Joey introduces himself
06:17 Paul introduces himself
08:32 Lillabea introduces herself
12:02 What’s one of the most romanticized aspects of being a barista?
19:07 Is it hard to remember all of the guests’ names?
20:34 What do you say to the haters who say you’re just in it for the tips?
27:36 What do you say to the person that says “Your job looks fun!”
32:14 How do you handle the role of being the “host of the party” rather than the guest?
37:35 What are your most favorite coffee drinks to make as baristas?
44:11 What are your least favorite coffee drinks to make as baristas?
49:10 Let’s talk about the magic of the Valor experience
53:38 If you like hosting people at your house, you may like being a barista
01:00:56 Coffee review: Tandem Ecuador Melida Alverca
01:15:46 Conclusion

Q&A: Owner Disagreements, Drive-Thru Specialty Coffee, & Slushie Machines – 02/07/2024

Valor Coffee Podcast

02/09/24 • 76 min

Sign Up for Alerts About Our Community (coming soon) – Courses, Exclusive Videos, PDFs, Spreadsheets and more: https://mailchi.mp/018d9c38a953/valorcafecommunity
Thanks for listening, following/subscribing, giving us a good review, and sharing with your friends on social media. It goes a long way!
We had a whole dang episode planned out, but we had so many solid questions that we decided to pivot.! We cover a few really awesome topics like: how do you know who to go into business with? What should your values be? And whenever the three of us are disagreeing on something in our company, how do we debate that? Thank you as always for submitting your questions, and keep them coming.
*If you purchase something through one of our links, we may be entitled to a share of the sale*
We're partnered with Clive to bring you sweet deal at a discounted rate! Use Discount Code VALOR5 at checkout for 5% off Lucca and Eureka products!
Shop Clive products here: https://clivecoffee.com?sca_ref=5315485.6axWuRlcEr
Buy Valor Coffee: https://valor.coffee/shop
Watch on Youtube: https://youtube.com/valorcoffee16
Want to become a Wholesale Partner? Email us at [email protected] to set up an account!
Want us to review your coffee? Have a question you want to answer on the show? Send us an email to [email protected]
Follow the Valor Coffee Podcast on Instagram: http://instagram.com/valorcoffeepod
Follow Valor on Instagram: http://instagram.com/valor.coffee
____
Subscribe to Riley's YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/@rileywestbrook
Follow Riley: https://instagram.com/rileywestbrook
Follow Ross: https://instagram.com/rosswalters
Follow Ethan's Parody Account: https://instagram.com/ethanrivers777
00:00:00 Introduction
00:11:04 Q - How do you make decisions as a group and decide when to move forward?
00:23:57 Q - If you were to open a cafe with a completely different service model than the two that you have, what would you want it to be like?
00:32:12 Q - How do you know who you should go into business with, what values should align, and how long of a commitment should people be willing to make?
00:40:41 Q - What machine do you use for frozen slushy drinks? Does it work well or has it been a dud?
00:45:08 Q - What's the best method for changing grind size on espresso or other brewing devices? I don't want to go finer, but sometimes it feels like I have no choice.
00:57:50 Q - How much in line training do you do? Once an employee is quote up to speed and quote, how do you go back and reinforce?
01:05:37 Coffee Review: Little Wolf Ecuador Angamaza
01:15:33 Conclusion

Why Your Coffee Shop SHOULD Start Roasting – 06/12/2024

Valor Coffee Podcast

06/14/24 • 53 min

Sign Up for Alerts About Our Community (coming soon) – Courses, Exclusive Videos, PDFs, Spreadsheets and more: https://mailchi.mp/018d9c38a953/valorcafecommunity
Thanks for listening, following/subscribing, giving us a good review, and sharing with your friends on social media. It goes a long way!
The boys sit down and have a continuation of last episode's topic of why you shouldn't start a coffee shop, this time explaining why it might be a good idea. We also discuss Ethan's trip to Japan, including his bar takeover at Sedai Coffee, and we give an update on the Community. Thanks for hanging with us every week!
*If you purchase something through one of our links, we may be entitled to a share of the sale*
Huge thanks to our partner Third Wave Water for sponsoring this episode! TWW enhances our brews by getting our water perfect for our coffee. Use code VALOR at checkout for 10% off your purchase! https://thirdwavewater.com
We're partnered with Clive to bring you sweet deal at a discounted rate! Use Discount Code VALOR5 at checkout for 5% off Lucca and Eureka products!
Shop Clive products here: https://clivecoffee.com?sca_ref=5315485.6axWuRlcEr
Buy Valor Coffee: https://valor.coffee/shop
Watch on Youtube: https://youtube.com/valorcoffee16
Want to become a Wholesale Partner? Email us at [email protected] to set up an account!
Want us to review your coffee? Have a question you want to answer on the show? Send us an email to [email protected]
Follow the Valor Coffee Podcast on Instagram: http://instagram.com/valorcoffeepod
Follow Valor on Instagram: http://instagram.com/valor.coffee
____
Subscribe to Riley's YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/@rileywestbrook
Follow Riley: https://instagram.com/rileywestbrook
Follow Ross: https://instagram.com/rosswalters
Follow Ethan's Parody Account: https://instagram.com/ethanrivers777
00:00 Introduction
04:00 Ethan did a coffee bar takeover during his trip to Japan
13:33 Did your trip make you want to open a cafe in Japan?
17:47 These coffees are even better with Third Wave Water
21:15 The Valor Coffee Community is almost here
27:00 Recap of why your coffee shop should NOT start roasting
28:54 Why your Coffee Shop SHOULD start roasting
34:43 Wholesale will likely be a big part of your business
37:25 What are the viable models for roasteries?
46:31 Roasteries have global reach
51:06 Conclusion

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FAQ

How many episodes does Valor Coffee Podcast have?

Valor Coffee Podcast currently has 142 episodes available.

What topics does Valor Coffee Podcast cover?

The podcast is about Coffee, Podcasts, Arts, Business, Interviews and Food.

What is the most popular episode on Valor Coffee Podcast?

The episode title 'Cat & Cloud x Valor Coffee: Burn Out, Human Dignity, Tacos & Dunking – 05/28/2024' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Valor Coffee Podcast?

The average episode length on Valor Coffee Podcast is 73 minutes.

How often are episodes of Valor Coffee Podcast released?

Episodes of Valor Coffee Podcast are typically released every 7 days.

When was the first episode of Valor Coffee Podcast?

The first episode of Valor Coffee Podcast was released on Jan 7, 2022.

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Valor Coffee Podcast

Valor Coffee

Top 10 Valor Coffee Podcast Episodes

FAQ

How many episodes does Valor Coffee Podcast have?

What topics does Valor Coffee Podcast cover?

What is the most popular episode on Valor Coffee Podcast?

What is the average episode length on Valor Coffee Podcast?

How often are episodes of Valor Coffee Podcast released?

When was the first episode of Valor Coffee Podcast?

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