Coffee Shop Basecamp — Beta Cohort
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This is the beta cohort. Spots are intentionally limited.
Coffee Shop Basecamp is an 8-week online program for people who want to open a coffee shop and want to do it right. Over 8 weeks, you'll work through the real decisions — what kind of shop to build, how to find the right location, what things actually cost, how to price your menu, and how to hire and lead a team.
You'll leave with a Business Readiness Document: a practical planning tool built around the decisions you'll actually face as an owner.
Live sessions run every Tuesday from 4:00 – 5:30pm Calgary Time, starting April 7, 2026. Sessions run for eight consecutive weeks through May 26, 2026. Every session is recorded and uploaded within 24 hours if you can't make it live.
What's included:
- 8 live weekly group sessions with direct Q&A
- Weekly homework that builds your Business Readiness Document
- All reference sheets and student materials
- Recordings of every session
- Access to the private cohort community
- Lifetime access to all materials
Why beta? This is the first run of Basecamp. You're getting the full program at a reduced rate in exchange for your honest feedback. Your input will directly shape future cohorts.
Beta cohort price: $595 (Full price after beta: $1,295)
Spots are capped. When they're gone, they're gone.
What You'll Learn
Over 8 weeks, you'll work through every major decision that stands between you and opening day.
- Week 1 — Your Shop, Your Vision: The 6 coffee shop models and figuring out which one fits your life
- Week 2 — Know Your Customer: Getting clear on who you're building for and where to find them
- Week 3 — Location & Lease: Finding the right space, reading a lease, and avoiding common traps
- Week 4 — The Money Side: Startup costs, cash flow basics, and what to do if you need funding
- Week 5 — Menu & Pricing: Building a menu that customers love and that actually makes money
- Week 6 — Suppliers & Equipment: What to buy, what to lease, and how to find the right roaster
- Week 7 — Hiring & Training: Building a team that can run the shop even when you're not there
- Week 8 — Your Opening Plan: Pulling everything together into a clear, realistic path to opening day
You'll finish the program with a Business Readiness Document — a practical planning tool built around the real decisions you'll face as an owner. Not a business plan that sits in a drawer. Something you'll actually use.
Who This Course is For
This program is for people who are seriously considering opening a coffee shop and want to go in prepared. You don't need a business background or industry experience — just a genuine desire to build something and the discipline to show up each week.
It's a good fit if you're still in the planning stage and want to get clear before spending any money. It's not the right fit if you've already signed a lease and are looking for day-to-day operational support.
Course Prerequisites
None. You don't need coffee industry experience, a business degree, or a finished idea. You do need to be ready to engage — show up to the sessions, complete the weekly homework, and participate in the group. That's what makes the cohort model work.
How Much Time Will I Need Each Week?
Plan for about 3 to 4 hours per week. That includes the live session and the weekly homework assignment. The homework is short and practical — it builds directly toward your Business Readiness Document, so nothing is busy work. If you miss a session, the recording is uploaded within 24 hours so you won't fall behind.
Meet Your Trainer
Trent Rollings is the founder of Timberline Coffee School, a certified SCA trainer, and a World Coffee Championships Representative and Judge. With over a decade of international experience in coffee education and competition, Trent brings deep industry insight and a passion for helping others grow.
