You’re already an expert in coffee.
But are you an expert at running a business?
A 12-week cohort program designed to help coffee shop owners and managers level up their business — from launch to growth. Built for working professionals, by tenured experts.
Built for working professionals & aspiring business owners.
This is a program designed to fit in around a busy schedule, without any need to take time off to accomodate it—plus, you can apply your learning immediately. Across 12 weeks, you’ll engage in a mix of in-depth video modules, skill-building assignments, collaborative forums, and guided discussions designed for real-world application in your job as a manager, owner, or budding entrepreneur.
WATCH:
Self-Paced
Course Videos from Industry Experts
APPLY:
Live Learning
with Your Cohort and Discussion Leader
PRACTICE:
Engage in skill-building assignments and discussions
Invest in the future of your coffee business.
Enrollment includes more than just the curriculum. You’ll join weekly live-learning sessions, explore themes with pre-recorded sessions, and gain access to tools to use the skills you learn in the course in your business going forward.
The cost for the course is $2,350 per learner, and there are no academic or industry experience prerequisites: whether you’re already running a coffee business or dreaming of launching one, this is a course built to help you achieve your goals.
Here’s what’s included in your course fee:
12-week cohort program with online platform access
Live webinar & discussion group sessions
SCA Certificate of completion
One complimentary Small Business SCA Company Membership ($420 value)
One complimentary World of Coffee USA 2027 attendee badge
Four business themes. Four leading experts.
One complete education.
The curriculum is developed and introduced by US-based coffee professionals with lived experience as managers, operators, and owners—subject matter experts who've built and run real businesses. Content reflects US market context, business practices, and regulatory environments.
Management & Leadership
with Laila Ghambari
Explore everything from hiring and onboarding to
conflict resolution and psychological safety. Connect values and ethics to your leadership, and build a work environment that feels positive for everyone involved.
Operations & Customer Service
with Eden-Marie Jenkins
Unlock key strategies for ensuring guest satisfaction, while also exploring better ways to manage inventory and make better operational decisions that improve the health of your business.
Business Strategy & Entrepreneurial Thinking with Steve Chang
Strengthen your business plan and strategy so that it can succeed—and scale! The mindset of an entrepreneur is essential for any manager, owner, or aspiring leader working in the specialty coffee industry.
Finance & Accounting
with Nani Ferreira-Matthews
Dive into the fundamentals of small business finance. From financial statements like the P&L to key metrics and ratios, you'll learn how to make informed business decisions based on real data.
Additional Information
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Only if you want to! The weekly time commitment and live session hours are spread out across 12 weeks to ensure that working professionals can access education without interrupting normal work hours. If you are an owner/manager enrolling your employees, we recommend designing this program into their onboarding or training plan.
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Each cohort will have 20 people, led by the discussion leader through the live sessions.
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Yes! We developed this series as a direct response to community interest in resources to help business leaders upskill their employees.
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For now, the program is available in English. This course is taught by industry experts based in the United States, so while the fundamentals we cover can be applied from anywhere, some specific examples and references will draw from the US market.
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The self-paced learning sessions are made up of pre-recorded sessions with industry leaders: Laila Ghambari, Eden-Marie Jenkins, Nani Ferreira-Matthews, and Steve Chang.
Your live sessions will be led by your discussion leader, who will help to answer questions and guide your cohort through the program.
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No, this course does not have an exam component however there will be assignments to complete on your own time throughout. Those who complete the program will receive a certificate of participation and a badge on their SCA account.
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The cost for the course is $2,350 per learner. There are no academic or industry experience prerequisites.
Your enrollment fee includes:
12-week cohort program with online platform access
Live webinar & discussion group sessions
Certificate of completion
One Small Business SCA Company Membership ($420 value)
One World of Coffee USA 2026 attendee badge
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This course series is designed for all levels. You do not need prior academic or management experience!
All SCA Members may enroll, including the free Associate member tier!
Students under 18 must have a signed parental waiver.
Course content, materials, and schedules are designed around a US business context, but anyone can join.