Blog — Portland small business
A Thirty Hour Workweek | Taking Care of People
Posted by James Helms on
The idea that technological advancement would somehow benefit the average worker did not consider human greed and the ever increasing edge of the adjacent possible. But technological advancement is in place to reshape how we work, further innovation around how a community invests in itself, how a community relieves the crushing burden of debt, how a community owns real property.
- Tags: community cause, family, Inflation, Living wage, Local Economy, People Place Coffee, Philosophy, Portland small business, Workweek
A Living Wage | Taking Care of People
Posted by James Helms on
Over the last two years of operating our fledgling espresso bar, we are beginning to have a good handle on what to expect in terms of sales growth, costs, and profitability. As we move through re-opening and when we begin to confidently say "post-pandemic" we still have a lot to learn about the new normal. The living wage goals are a significant contributor to the decision to raise prices over the next couple of months.
- Tags: family, Inflation, Living wage, Local Economy, People Place Coffee, Portland small business, Product pricing, Rocky Butte Coffee, Rocky Butte Coffee Roasters
Inflation | What Are We Seeing and Doing About It?
Posted by James Helms on
(Image source: Wikimedia Commons) From inception we have maintained a focus on value and we have not raised our whole bean prices...we've held the line of pricing as long as we can and want to discuss the realities of inflation, how we will continue to focus on value, reinforce our values and continue to grow our business in the years ahead. Numerous articles are being written about inflation, but what is it, how is it effecting our coffee company and how are we adapting through it? Inflation, defined by "a general increase in prices and decrease in the purchasing value...
- Tags: Inflation, Local Economy, Portland small business, Rocky Butte Coffee Roasters, Specialty Coffee
Melinda's Bio - Barista
Posted by Hannah Reedy on
Melinda, one of our baristas and newest Rocky Butte Coffee team member, was born in Aberdeen, Washington. Her ministry-oriented family settled in Portland in 2014. Close with the Helms family, and through high school relationships, Melinda became familiar with the Rocky Butte community. Her hope for the Rocky Butte Espresso Bar is that it will continue to become a staple of the neighborhood, a place where regulars who all know each other can feel at home, and a place where anyone will go out of their way for the best coffee.
- Tags: People Place Coffee, Portland small business, Rocky Butte Coffee, Rocky Butte Coffee Roasters, Specialty Coffee
Printing Coffee Bags on an Old School Letter Press
Posted by James Helms on
We found a way to keep our design simple and have our bags printed by Reb Peters Press. Rebecca Peters is a business owner that is keeping letterpress printing alive in Portland today. What follows is a conversation that we had with Rebecca for this blog.