Working with us

Thank you for your wisdom and insight. Thank you for everything.

—Jerry Bennett

Why Choose MBS?

Frequently asked questions

Why should I choose MBS instead of another coffee school?

MBS was created out of real-life success. JP's Coffee serves an average of 600-700 people a day and has been successful for the long haul. Our systems cover every aspect of running a coffee bar and MBS students benefit from this real-life experience. The old saying is, "Those who can't, teach". We've changed it to, "The best teachers are those who can".

Our many years of in-the-field owning and working in our coffee bar, meeting payroll, selecting vendors and suppliers, working with many brands of equipment, selling hundreds of thousands of pounds of coffee by the cup and by the bean, employing hundreds and hundreds of employees, executing millions of transactions and then helping hundreds of people start or improve their businesses make us uniquely qualified to help you.

I'm not ready to open yet. Should I attend class now or wait until just before I open?

The sooner the better! We feel one of the greatest advantages to selecting MBS is observing a successful high volume coffee bar in operation. Learn the proper layout and flow of the bar (from our remodel, after which our sales went up 30%), the placement of equipment, the feeling of space with customers before, during, and after they have been served and many, many other important but elusive facts BEFORE you finish your design!

We encourage students to study our store. Some students get up early, come to JP's before class and watch the opening staff and the early morning crowd. Some come later at night and hang out at JP's watching our baristas handle a busy store.

Have you created other businesses or made any major mistakes in business?

Yes, and we believe this is a great advantage to you when selecting MBS. We have done some things very well and have made at least most of the classic blunders of any new business, as well as inventing a few of our own. We founded and have operated JP's for 15 years. We also remodeled our location a number of times, created a kiosk concept, a coffee cart business, and a smoothie bar store, which we franchised and then sold.

So if you're looking for experience, we have it in spades.

I'm new to the business. Will I get everything I need from your class?

Yes, and no. There are many things you will need beyond the training you receive here at MBS. Becoming a successful coffee business means attending to details: choosing the right location, buying the proper equipment, creating an efficient and well designed layout, having a great atmosphere appropriate to your location, exercising strict financial control of the business and negotiating a myriad of other details are all critical to your success.

But without consistently great coffee, excellent customer service, operational systems to run the store and a regularly updated and ongoing training program, those "details" won't make for success. And that's where MBS helps. If you build out a beautiful store but don't execute well you're going to fail.

MBS is held in an existing coffee house location. How does that work?

JP's Coffee and Espresso Bar in Holland, MI was founded in 1993 in a 2000 square feet building. The same JP's facility has grown to 4000 square feet including JP's, the MBS offices, training room and full training bar. We have a separate, fully-equipped classroom at our location and a separate training bar in the front of our store. When not used for training MBS students it is used for JP's employee training, as well as other functions.

Will we work behind the bar at JP's?

No. Students do not work JP's bar. Our training bar is on the opposite side of the building and set up with multiple machines. But you will get the satisfaction of making drinks for regular customers. In fact, this is a highlight for many students (some JP's customers show up at training time for a "test" drink and the fun of being part of the experience).

Which class should a person new to the business take?

MBS offers a variety of classes for those new to the business, as well as those needing to improve their existing location(s). Our New Business Owner class is the complete package for those new to the business; our Creating an Advanced Barista will educate and train managers or key employees and our Private Advanced Barista Training is flexible enough to cover whatever a student(s) wants or needs. Check out all our classes here.

Does MBS recommend specific equipment, products, coffees and other stuff?

Yes, and no. Although MBS does have sponsors who supply brewers, espresso machines, and other in-kind support, our goal is to educate you as the owner or manager to make the right decision for your location, your budget and your business. We can assist you in your decision-making process when it comes to equipment, coffee roasters and the like. Our experience will help you make the right decision for your business.

How large are your classes?

We currently limit our class size to 8 people and may be making it 6 soon. Either way, each student gets plenty of hands-on and individual attention from our teachers.

Why is MBS less expensive than some other coffee schools in the market?

MBS benefits from being in the same building as JP's, using JP's owner, management and trainers as MBS teachers and thus has less overhead than other schools. We hope this will enable you use your resources to purchase important things like a new espresso machine.

Can I get a discount for having multiple people from the same company attend MBS?

Nope. MBS tuition is based on the "butts in seats" mentality. Because our classes are limited in size it doesn't matter to us whether people are together or not. We priced our tuition to be fair to us and to you so we can support the school, invest in it and grow it to better serve our future students.

Does MBS charge for follow up questions or help after we get back home?

MBS provides full after care support. This means we are available to answer questions and give direction to former students. This is a great benefit to being an MBS student and many of our former students contact us with questions, updates or just to share pictures of their new business when opened.

Does MBS provide meals for students?

MBS provides a coupon good at JP's for breakfast everyday you are in class. Your choice of coffee drink and any baked good or menu item baked fresh in our own kitchen. Lunch is on your own (there are a couple of exceptions) and dinner is on your own. Downtown Holland has a great variety of restaurants to satisfy most every diet all within a block or two of our store.

Are there any other places to visit close by if we want to extend our stay?

Holland, MI is a great place to live and visit. It is a tourist destination and is right on beautiful Lake Michigan. If you want to extend your stay you can check out more information at the Holland CVB's website, the City of Holland's website or the Holland Chamber of Commerce.

What other products or services does MBS offer?

MBS is brought to you by On Track Coffee Consulting. On Track offers a variety of services and products for those going into or already in the coffee business. You can find out more by checking out our website.

What if I would like additional training or help at my location?

MBS trainers can travel to your location and train your staff in your cafe using your equipment. We help with everything from setting up to employee training to grand openings. Check out our services here.

More questions? Contact us directly. We'd be happy to talk to you.