We Built a Café in Tokyo That Runs WITHOUT US

Описание: In this video we talk with Kim Harase, a café owner in Tokyo who, alongside her husband Teru, has built a thriving coffee business that includes multiple cafés, their own roasting operation, consulting services, and even a getaway lodge. What makes their story unique is that the business runs at a high level, selling up to 900 cups of coffee a day, while they spend most of the year traveling the world.

This episode breaks down what it really takes to build a successful café business in Japan, how to create a system that doesn’t rely on the owner being present, and the strategies behind building a loyal community of repeat customers. Kim also shares the realities of running a brick and mortar business abroad, and the biggest mistakes foreigners make when trying to do the same.

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🔹 ABOUT AMBITIONS ABROAD

Ambitions Abroad is a documentary series about entrepreneurs who moved abroad and built real businesses and lives overseas.

🔹 VIDEO TIMESTAMPS

0:00 - Meet Kim Harase
1:04 - How to start a Cafe business
2:04 - How long does it take to open a cafe
3:36 - What should foreigners know before building a cafe in Japan
4:21 - How to get the first customers for a cafe business
4:57 - How to build repeat customers for a cafe business
6:08 - How to brand your cafe
8:27 - How to build a cafe food menu
10:06 - What mistakes do cafe owners make when creating a food menu
11:27 - When should you open up a second cafe
14:03 - How to increase income streams for a cafe
14:05 - Running a business in Japan as a foreigner
16:44 - When should cafe owners add multiple income streams
17:37 - How to build a team / staff for a cafe
19:48 - How to successfully work with your partner
21:06 - The biggest mistakes when building a cafe business
21:30 - Traveling while the business runs
22:28 - What is needed to succeed in the cafe industry
23:21 - How pivotal was moving abroad to Kim and iki's success

🔹 STAY CONNECTED

Takumi's Instagram:   / takumi.shyegun  
Subscribe:    / @takumi.ambition-abroad  
iki Instagram:   / iki_espresso  
iki Website: https://iki-espresso.com/
Kim LinkedIn:   / kim-harase-82507a17  

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