Coffee Shop 101: Before You Buy The Espresso Machine

Free to attend. RSVP required. Drinks available for purchase.

Date: January 16th, 2026
Time: 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Schedule of Events:
7:00pm - 7:15pm: Drinks and mingling
7:15pm - 8:00pm: Conversation with Kapebayan
8:00pm - 8:30pm: Q&A + Discussion

Thinking about opening a coffee shop someday? So did we.

We've been asked throughout the years of our industry and experience, "What's it like to open a coffee shop?" With starting shops, helping others, and even closing down a shop; there's more than what meets the eye. We have seen it all, and most business owners will tell you the same.

This is a free, open community talk. We're calling this "Coffee Shop 101", a conversation for anyone curious about what actually goes into starting a café, before buying equipment, signing a lease, or building a menu.

Hosted at Lucky's Coffee Roasters and led by Kat Padlan, who also runs Kapebayan; a successful coffee consulting partnership--in the industry, we’ll talk through the what it's worth, what is not, and small steps into those looking to step into coffee on the business side. Helping small businesses since 2013, Kat has opened multiple coffee shops, restaurants, and consulted for large coffee brands. She has also recently taught education in the professional industry, including helping assist in classes at SCA Chicago 2024, & speaking on panels at Coffee Fest LA in 2024 & 2025 about Coffee and Community, and Coffee Inclusivity. She focuses on Operations for cafes as Operations Manager at Lucky's.

This is not a sales pitch or a technical workshop. It's truly just an honest, approachable conversation designed to inform, connect, and spark good questions. Remember: This is an investment, not just some easy cash flow of money. We are here to build a healthy community where we can support each other. Like we say, "We are community, not competition." We value our community to educate and inform where we can at Lucky's.

Stay after for a casual mixer, grab a drink, and chat with others who are coffee-curious.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher Lucky's Coffee Roasters