Education - Coffee Business Education — Specialty Coffee Association

  
    COFFEE BUSINESS

EDUCATION

This program draws on the lived experience of verified industry experts who have built, scaled, and transformed businesses from the ground up. It’s theory grounded in real-world practice. Content reflects US market context, business practices, and regulatory environments.

  
  Overview 
  Diplomas 
  Q Grader
  Coffee Business Education
  Master of Specialty Coffee
  Courses

DESIGNED FOR BUSY COFFEE LEADERS

Build a stronger coffee business.

A 12-week cohort-based course designed for coffee shop owners and managers who want to strengthen how they run and grow their business. Built for working professionals and led by tenured experts.

Register now

Business lessons from industry experts who have been where you’re headed

Eden-Marie Jenkins is a global customer experience and operations leader, and a particular expert on hospitality for specialty coffee. She’s teaching Operations & Customer Service.

Laila Ghambari is a business owner and US Barista Champion with nearly two decades of experience in coffee. She’s teaching Management & Leadership.

Nani Ferreira-Mathews is a CPG consultant and strategist for specialty coffee brands with skills in financial forecasting and risk management. She’s teaching Finance & Accounting.

Steven Chang is a CEO and entrepreneur with experience in strategic planning and business development. He’s teaching
Business Strategy & Entrepreneurial Thinking.

Learn online at your own pace

Unlike most academic programs, the core curriculum of Coffee Business Education is structured to fit your busy schedule. Whether you’re a current manager, an aspiring one, or an employer upskilling your employees, the time commitment per week is similar to one part-time barista shift! This essential business knowledge is available to you from the convenience of your home or office, your favorite café, or anywhere you can get connected to the internet.

COHORT 1 BEGINS JULY 29

USD 2,350

Coffee Business Education doesn't end when the coursework does.

Complete the 12-week program and earn a complimentary 3-day attendee badge to World of Coffee USA — a USD 250+ value — giving you access to the world's leading specialty coffee trade show.

You'll be invited to an exclusive Alumni Reception bringing together graduates from every CBE cohort, a rare opportunity to meet your peers in person, continue to expand your professional network, and experience the global specialty coffee industry firsthand.

JOIN COHORT 1

Why this matters for your business

A person sitting at a counter looking at a laptop screen

A 12-week program mixing self-paced curriculum with collaborative practice.

We’ve heard from the community that the flexibility of individual learning was just as a important as the dynamic exercise and dialogue about concepts in group learning environments. Each week, expect:

Weekly 2-Hour Sessions with Your Cohort
Self-Paced Video Lessons and Assignments
Readings, Forums, and Discussions
Downloadable Tools and Templates

A group of adults with event lanyards seated in a circle having a discussion

Outcome-focused, grounded in specialty.

During this program you’ll move from theory to tactics. Work with your cohort through a series of assignments and discussions where you’ll put essential management skills and tools into practice. These are the skills you need to know to run a successful business—specifically, a specialty coffee business.

Read and Build a Profit and Loss Report
Price Your Menu for Margin
Manage Labor Cost and Scheduling
Communicate Through Conflict
Budget and Plan Cash Flow
Strategize Business Opportunities

What you’ll learn

The curriculum is structured around four core areas and is developed and delivered by US-based coffee professionals with hands-on experience as managers, operators, and owners. It reflects the realities of the US market, including local business practices, operating conditions, and regulatory requirements.