Background
Inspired by the heroic tales of the 17th century Viennese entrepreneur, Franz George Kolshitsky, who founded Central Europe’s first coffee house (The Blue Bottle), and his excitement for a great cup of freshly roasted coffee and beautiful architecture — James Freeman embarked on a quest to share his passions. Since its auspicious beginning in 2002, Blue Bottle Coffee Company has experienced tremendous growth, with locations in San Francisco, Emeryville, a new coffee roasting facility in Jack London Square, Gramercy Tavern in New York and two carts at the local farmers markets.
Perhaps one of the most unique aspects of this cutting-edge microroaster of organic and shade-grown coffee, is Freeman’s visionary eye for identifying real estate with distinctive architectural elements that possess the potential to revitalize and awaken the local community, inspire people to venture out and explore the possibilities of a new day, a new beginning — just like a great cup of coffee. The Blue Bottle Coffee Company has not only revitalized and invested in otherwise forgotten inner city neighborhoods, but has created new career opportunities and jobs for over 60 local residents to date — a perfect blend for Inner City Advisors (ICA).
Business Challenge
The Blue Bottle Coffee Company first met ICA in 2007 with an array of business needs that were a reflection of their rapid growth, as well as Freeman’s desire to tap into external business expertise that would provide additional advice and guidance to enable his thriving enterprise go to the next level:
- Manage the increase of human resources and operational need
- Increase efficiency with cash-flow management
- Identify and raise additional capital to fund growth
How ICA Helped
The relationship between The Blue Bottle Coffee Company and an ICA Advisor started with a detailed review of their profit & loss statement and accounting practices. The support didn’t stop there. The ICA Advisor also provided guidance and direction in the areas of finance, human resource management and operations. Most importantly, the ICA Advisor introduced Freeman to an investor who would eagerly fund their much needed and desired expansion – thus resulting in the opening of the new production facility and the creation of 35 new jobs.
Results
Today, The Blue Bottle Coffee Company is proudly serving their java loving customers in 5 locations across the East Bay and in New York, with 60 employees. Like the 17th century Franz George Kolshitsky’s The Blue Bottle coffee house —- The Blue Bottle Coffee Company is transforming history one cup at a time.
Background
Inspired by the heroic tales of the 17th century Viennese entrepreneur, Franz George Kolshitsky, who founded Central Europe’s first coffee house (The Blue Bottle), and his excitement for a great cup of freshly roasted coffee and beautiful architecture — James Freeman embarked on a quest to share his passions. Since its auspicious beginning in 2002, Blue Bottle Coffee Company has experienced tremendous growth, with locations in San Francisco, Emeryville, a new coffee roasting facility in Jack London Square, Gramercy Tavern in New York and two carts at the local farmers markets.
Perhaps one of the most unique aspects of this cutting-edge microroaster of organic and shade-grown coffee, is Freeman’s visionary eye for identifying real estate with distinctive architectural elements that possess the potential to revitalize and awaken the local community, inspire people to venture out and explore the possibilities of a new day, a new beginning — just like a great cup of coffee. The Blue Bottle Coffee Company has not only revitalized and invested in otherwise forgotten inner city neighborhoods, but has created new career opportunities and jobs for over 60 local residents to date — a perfect blend for Inner City Advisors (ICA).
Business Challenge
The Blue Bottle Coffee Company first met ICA in 2007 with an array of business needs that were a reflection of their rapid growth, as well as Freeman’s desire to tap into external business expertise that would provide additional advice and guidance to enable his thriving enterprise go to the next level:
- Manage the increase of human resources and operational needs
- Increase efficiency with cash-flow management
- Identify and raise additional capital to fund growth
How ICA Helped
The relationship between The Blue Bottle Coffee Company and an ICA Advisor started with a detailed review of their profit & loss statement and accounting practices. The support didn’t stop there. The ICA Advisor also provided guidance and direction in the areas of finance, human resource management and operations. Most importantly, the ICA Advisor introduced Freeman to an investor who would eagerly fund their much needed and desired expansion – thus resulting in the opening of the new production facility and the creation of 35 new jobs.
Results
Today, The Blue Bottle Coffee Company is proudly serving their java loving customers in 5 locations across the East Bay and in New York, with 60 employees. Like the 17th century Franz George Kolshitsky’s The Blue Bottle coffee house —- The Blue Bottle Coffee Company is transforming history one cup at a time.
