Café Biz Brisbane – Panel Discussion: How does a café operator get the mix right?

Alen Beganovic’s knowledge of both the café and catering industries is unsurpassed, and he’s eager to share at Café Biz in Brisbane.

Too many businesses suffer from simple mistakes. Alen’s seen time and again. “Café owners might go for what’s cheapest, and lots of them sell the same stuff as the person next door.” The Beganovic way is effective because its smart. “What we do is try the product, test it out and make sure no-one nearby sells the same thing. We make sure we are unique.”

Where is the love? Without love, Alen says, there is no point in running a café business. “If you are just there for the money, it just doesn’t work.” And it doesn’t allow for success, he says. “You have to enjoy what you are doing, that way you and your staff suppliers can work together as a family.”

Alen’s looking forward to sharing his insights at Café Biz, but he’s mostly looking forward to catching up socially. “Café Biz is the best place to meet people from the industry – I’m still friends with people I met there 10 years ago.” This Café Biz veteran is still learning, too. “I always learn something new at Café Biz, because there is so much there to learn about. It’s the place where you find out about what standards have changed, find a good supplier and also make friends.”