The Growth and Choices of Coffee Stage
This year marks the first anniversary of Coffee Stage's establishment, and this long-awaited official announcement is finally being made at this moment. A year ago, I decided to start this side business and run an online store outside of my full-time job. The experiences of this past year have significantly reduced my sleep time, but have also taught me a lot, deepening my understanding of the coffee industry, and gradually transforming me from a simple enthusiast into a part of the industry.
The initial idea was simple, just hoping to subsidize my love for coffee equipment through the operation of the online store, while also gaining a deeper understanding of the world of coffee. As time progressed, I discovered that this side business brought me growth far beyond expectations, not just in selling coffee equipment, but in gaining a renewed understanding of coffee culture, a deep understanding of industry operation models, and a brand new challenge to my own abilities.
Finding My Own Path
After half a year, I started thinking: if I keep staying in the sales of coffee equipment, the value I can bring is limited. Although this allowed me to learn a lot of new knowledge, I hope to do more. I hope to find my position in the coffee industry, not just selling products created by others. I began to explore how to create products with my own elements and make them the hallmark of Coffee Stage.
At the same time, I also realized that in this process, the needs and problems of customers are often my greatest driving force for learning. Whenever a customer raises a question that I can't answer, I will consult suppliers, search for information, and even conduct experiments myself to find the answer. These challenges allow me to grow continuously and gradually realize that my passion for this industry is far deeper than I imagined.
Shifting Focus to Manufacturing
With the growth of the online store, the variety of products on the platform has increased, but at the same time, advertising costs and operating costs have also continued to rise. I began to think, if I just sell other brands' products, no matter how well SEO is done or how much is invested in advertising, customers often only remember a certain product and not the Coffee Stage platform itself. I hope to change this situation and make Coffee Stage not just a sales platform, but a brand that can represent some special things.
Therefore, in the second half of this year, I made a decision: I want to enter the manufacturing industry and start creating my own coffee products. I hope these products are not just practical tools but can also spark conversations, attract people's attention, and generate more interest in coffee. This is my goal for 2025—to create products that can help the coffee industry develop and make Coffee Stage a brand with innovation and influence.
New Goals for 2025—Innovation and Collaboration
The manufacturing industry is a whole new challenge for me, especially discussing the manufacturing industry in an environment like Hong Kong, which indeed poses many difficulties. But I believe that only by challenging myself can I have the opportunity to reach new heights. In 2025, I hope to launch a series of innovative and practical coffee products, which will not just be tools but also carriers that inspire people's interest in coffee.
I understand that this path is full of challenges, and the difficulty may even exceed 200%, but this is exactly what I want to try. I hope that through these innovative products, I can not only realize my dreams but also bring some changes to the coffee industry.
Dreams of a New Stage for Coffee Stage
I also hope to share with everyone that Coffee Stage will not stop its current operations; the sales and service of coffee equipment will continue, and new equipment will be continuously introduced. However, in 2025, our focus will shift to the development and manufacturing of our own products. These products will start simply because I need to accumulate technology and experience and also hope to establish a standardized operating procedure (SOP).
I believe that although the coffee market in Hong Kong is not large, it does not mean there are no opportunities. Over the past year, I have seen the rise and fall of many coffee shops and coffee brands, which has made me realize more deeply that the key to success lies in whether the product can truly attract people and make them willing to "pay a premium" for it. Therefore, my goal is to create products that excite people, products that not only allow people to better understand coffee but also make them willing to invest more.
Combining Practical Experience and Growing with Peers
In addition, I also plan to share the experience of running a coffee online store over the past year, especially how to build a competitive website with the lowest cost, how to do SEO, how to effectively conduct online advertising, etc. If there are interested friends, I do not rule out holding some online meetings or making videos to share these practical experiences, helping more people interested in the coffee industry to succeed.
These shares are not just to help others but also a way for me to grow. I believe that by sharing experiences, I can better reflect on my practices, find room for improvement, and also meet more like-minded friends to grow together in this industry.
