Frequently Asked Questions

We offer comprehensive coffee business consulting including café audits, menu development, barista training, operational systems setup, and business strategy. Each service is tailored to your specific stage—whether you're planning, launching, or scaling your coffee business.

While we're based in Mindanao and primarily serve Davao City and Cagayan de Oro, we can conduct remote audits and consultations for cafés anywhere in the Philippines. For hands-on implementation and training, travel arrangements can be discussed during your Discovery Call.

Yes—planning support helps avoid costly mistakes in equipment, menu, and workflow decisions before opening. This is often the best time to get it right from the start. We offer concept development, equipment sourcing guidance, menu design, and workflow planning tailored to your budget and vision.

Yes—equipment guidance is part of the planning and consulting services. I help you choose machines and tools that match your volume, budget, and concept, avoiding overspending or undersizing. This includes espresso machines, grinders, brewers, and support equipment.

Training is hands-on and practical—focused on speed, consistency, customer interaction, and your specific menu. Sessions can be customized for new hires or skill upgrades for existing staff. We cover espresso fundamentals, milk techniques, drink recipes, workflow efficiency, and customer service standards.

I'm an active café owner running The Passion Ground Café, so every recommendation comes from real operational experience, not just theory. My audit-first approach ensures solutions are personalized to your actual problems—not generic advice. You're working with someone who's solved these challenges firsthand.

Our Surface Audit starts at ₱8,500 and provides a quick overview of key areas. The Comprehensive Audit is ₱25,000 and includes in-depth analysis across all business dimensions with a detailed action plan. We recommend starting with a free Discovery Call to determine which option fits your needs.

Our monthly retainer (₱30,000-₱50,000) includes hands-on implementation of audit recommendations, ongoing operational support, monthly performance reviews, priority access to John for strategy sessions, and customized training for your team. The scope is tailored to your specific needs and growth stage.

No. You can start with just an audit or one-time consulting session. Retainer engagements are recommended for cafés that need ongoing support during major changes or scaling, but they're optional. Most clients begin with an audit and decide afterward if implementation support makes sense.

Audits require 50% upfront deposit with the balance due before report delivery. Retainer clients are billed monthly in advance. One-time training or consulting sessions are paid upfront. We accept bank transfer, GCash, and other local payment methods.

Yes. The Discovery Call is free, and the Surface Audit at ₱8,500 is designed for budget-conscious owners who need guidance without a large upfront investment. We also offer flexible consulting sessions that can be scheduled as needed rather than committing to a full retainer.

The Discovery Call is a 15-20 minute conversation where we discuss your café concept or current operations, identify 3-5 main issues, and recommend the best next step. You'll walk away with quick wins you can implement immediately, plus clarity on whether a paid audit or consulting engagement makes sense for your goals.

A Surface Audit typically takes 3-5 business days from start to report delivery. A Comprehensive Audit takes 7-10 business days and includes on-site visits, team interviews, and detailed documentation review. Timelines may vary based on your café's complexity and our current project load.

The audit is the fastest way to identify what to fix first so improvements are targeted and measurable. It saves you from guessing and ensures you invest time and money in the right areas. However, if you need specific training or planning help, we can discuss starting there instead.

The audit report includes a detailed assessment of operations, menu, workflow, financials, and team performance. You'll receive prioritized recommendations, cost-benefit analysis for each change, quick wins you can implement immediately, and a roadmap for long-term improvements. The Comprehensive Audit also includes specific SOPs and templates.

Absolutely. All client information, financials, recipes, and business strategies are kept strictly confidential. We can sign an NDA if required. Your trust is essential, and we treat your café's details with the same care we'd expect for our own business.

Yes. All audit clients receive 30 days of email/messenger support for clarification questions about the report. If you need hands-on implementation help, we can discuss a retainer or per-session consulting arrangement. You're never left hanging after receiving your audit.

Many quick wins can be implemented immediately after the audit—like workflow adjustments, menu tweaks, and simple cost controls. Bigger improvements (staff habits, systems) take consistent implementation over weeks. Most clients report noticeable efficiency or profitability gains within 30-60 days.

Results vary, but common outcomes include reduced waste (10-20%), faster service times, improved drink consistency, higher staff confidence, better cost control, and increased profitability. The Passion Ground Café itself is proof—we've fine-tuned operations to maintain quality while scaling efficiently.

This is rare if recommendations are followed consistently. During your 30-day follow-up window, we can review what's not working and adjust the approach. If deeper support is needed, we can discuss retainer or training options to ensure proper execution. Success depends on consistent implementation, not just having the plan.

No consultant can ethically guarantee specific revenue numbers—too many external factors (location, competition, economy) are outside our control. What I do guarantee: you'll receive actionable, data-driven recommendations based on real café experience. Your results depend on how well and consistently you implement them.

The full program includes audit, personalized action plan, workflow optimization, menu and costing review, staff training support, and implementation guidance. It's a complete system overhaul tailored to your café, combining diagnosis, strategy, and hands-on execution support.

You'll need to provide access to your café, financial records, and be available for 1-2 interviews (30-60 minutes each). For the Surface Audit, involvement is minimal. For the Comprehensive Audit, we may need more time with you and your team to dive deeper into operations and financials.

Both. Whether you're focused on specialty coffee, commercial volume, or a hybrid model, the core business principles (efficiency, profitability, consistency) apply. I tailor recommendations to your positioning and customer expectations, not force a one-size-fits-all approach.