From The Passion Ground to client transformations across Mindanao, see what happens when coffee operations meet modern business systems.
From concept to consistent café—built from the ground up by John Salde
A passion-driven coffee concept in Cagayan de Oro with big ambitions but no operational systems, documented workflows, or staff training frameworks in place.
Build a profitable, scalable café with consistent beverage quality, efficient back-bar operations, trained teams, and a loyal customer base rooted in purpose-driven service.
No workflow systems or SOPs, inconsistent product quality, untrained barista staff, inefficient back-bar setup, unclear cost structures, and limited local awareness in a competitive market.
Streamlined back-bar workflow and daily operations structure, profit-focused menu with full beverage costing, comprehensive barista training program including latte art and espresso calibration, equipment optimization, repeatable SOPs, and foundational marketing systems to drive community engagement and local discovery.
Repeatable, trainable daily operations with documented SOPs.
Recipe formulations and calibration protocols for every drink.
Built a base of regulars through reliable experiences.
Training ground and community space for sustainable growth.
Local Impact: The Passion Ground stands as John's flagship proof-of-concept—a real example of what happens when a consultant builds a café the right way.
Real transformations from café owners who implemented John's systems
Reduced bar chaos into documented, repeatable workflow systems with SOPs across the entire team—eliminating bottlenecks during peak hours and improving service speed.
Created a profit-focused menu with full beverage costing, selling price optimization, and signature drink development for a new café concept launching in Davao City.
Trained barista teams to improve espresso calibration, milk steaming technique, and latte art—boosting both speed and consistency during high-traffic periods.
Set up foundational marketing systems—Google Business optimization, social media content calendar, and local awareness campaigns—so locals actually discover the café.
Real feedback from café owners who transformed their businesses with John's systems
"John helped us see exactly where we were losing money and how to fix it step by step. The operational audit alone paid for itself in the first month."
"The barista training transformed our team. Our consistency improved, customer complaints dropped, and we started getting compliments on our drinks every day."
"We were drowning in menu complexity. John simplified our offerings, fixed our costing, and now we're actually profitable. Best decision we made for our café."
"John taught us workflow systems we never knew we needed. Our bar runs smoother, orders are faster, and our staff actually knows what to do during rush hours."
"The marketing system John's team set up brought us more foot traffic in one month than we had in six. Our social media actually works now, and people are finding us online."
Clear answers to help you decide if consulting is right for your café.
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.
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.
Primary focus is Mindanao for on-site work, but remote strategy, audits, and planning can be discussed depending on the project scope and needs.
A surface audit typically takes 1–2 days on-site, followed by a written report within 5–7 business days. A comprehensive audit takes longer and includes deeper analysis of financials, systems, and team performance.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Start with a free discovery call. Get clarity on your next best steps—whether you're launching, fixing, or scaling.


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