50. Laila Ghambari on Competition, Cafe Profitability, and Coffee Consulting

we sit down with Laila Ghambari, a barista-turned-champion-turned-consultant whose journey through coffee competitions, family business, and specialty retail offers a masterclass in what it takes to build a sustainable coffee career and cafe.Laila shares how growing up in her dad’s Seattle cafe laid the foundation for a lifelong commitment to coffee and how she transformed that passion into a high-impact consulting business. We talk about the mindset shift that led her to win the U.S. Barista Championship, what many cafe owners get wrong about profitability, and the unseen challenges of scaling coffee businesses.Whether you’re a cafe owner, aspiring competitor, or just coffee-obsessed, this episode is full of grounded insights and real talk about what it takes to survive and thrive in the coffee industry👉 Like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes of Guess The Drip!💌 Join a Global Audience with BUY THE DRIP WEEKLYGet our personal coffee insights, brewing tips, and behind-the-scenes content delivered straight to your inbox every week...https://buythedrip.beehiiv.com/subscribe☕ ROSSO COFFEE ROASTERS, since 2007Anyone can be a specialty coffee drinker, and that means you. We roasted for the last two World Barista Champions and would love to roast a coffee for you too – try our world-class coffees: www.rossocoffeeroasters.com🎓 COACHING & CONSULTINGElevate your coffee game or business with personalized coaching and consulting: www.buythedrip.coffee🎙️ Listen to the PODCASTCoffee and business insights:Apple | Spotify📺 Subscribe on YOUTUBECatch all our videos: @buythedrip.coffee📸 Follow us on INSTAGRAMStay updated with the latest: www.instagram.com/buythedrip.coffeeFollow Dave: www.instagram.com/crosbyandcoffeeFollow Cole: www.instagram.com/torodeo