Denise Heidel and Tim Beeman welcome Natalie and Amanda Gogolak, the mother-daughter duo behind Be Kind Coffee, to discuss what sets their five-year-old Clemmons coffee shop apart from competitors. The conversation quickly moves beyond typical “customer service” talk to explore the deeper philosophy that has made Be Kind Coffee a cornerstone of the community. The name itself came from Natalie’s constant refrain to her three children growing up: “Just be kind to each other,”which evolved from a family joke into a genuine business philosophy rooted in serving and loving their community, with coffee simply being the vehicle for connection.
One of Be Kind Coffee’s most remarkable achievements is its staff loyalty in an industry known for high turnover. Amanda and Natalie explain that they hire for servant hearts rather than barista experience, requiring all employees to sign a code of conduct that prohibits gossip and promotes kindness at every level. This culture creates an environment where the team genuinely enjoys working together, hanging out on weekends, and showing up with purpose every day. The result? Customers walk in and are greeted by name, their usual orders remembered, and encouraged when needed, creating an experience that goes far beyond grabbing coffee.
The episode features the heartwarming story of Bob, Be Kind Coffee’s unofficial PR ambassador, who greets customers, gives tours, and even shows up in costume for holidays. As Be Kind Coffee expands into evening hours with beer and wine service, live music on their patios, and continues building community through events like their famous Harry Potter week, Amanda and Natalie demonstrate that investing in your community, even without immediate ROI, creates the kind of loyalty that brings customers from as far away as Virginia and West Virginia.
Amanda even brought the preferred coffee drink of both hosts. How can they not be loyal?
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Produced by our Partner, Tim Beeman of Such-N-Such Media.
Recorded in the Such-N-Such Media Studios at Liberty Plaza.
The post How to Keep Customers Loyal with Be Kind Coffee first appeared on Lewisville-Clemmons Chamber Podcast.
