Finally, a program designed to help cafe owners THRIVE

An accelerator program is an intensive, structured program designed to help businesses grow faster and become more successful by providing education, mentorship, and strategic support.

Unlike traditional business coaching, accelerators:
✔ Have a defined time frame – The Reina Cafe Accelerator lasts 24 weeks, with a clear start and end date.
✔ Focus on implementation – You’ll not only learn but also take action on your business in real time.
✔ Provide expert mentorship – You get one-on-one coaching, group learning, and insights from industry leader, Erica Escalante, and some special guests.
✔ Help you refine your business model – From pricing strategies to operations, your efforts in this business program will change your future for the better.

While many accelerator programs cater to tech startups or online businesses, the Reina Cafe Accelerator is one of the only programs specifically designed for brick-and-mortar cafe owners.🚀

To be eligible, you must:
✅ Own an independent cafe (not a franchise or corporate chain. Applicants must be running a fixed-location cafe operation regularly open multiple days a week).
✅ Have been operating since before April 7, 2024.
✅ Have three locations or fewer.
✅ Be actively involved in the day-to-day operations of your cafe.
✅ Be committed to attending weekly sessions and completing assignments.
✅ Be comfortable filming yourself as part of the program.

For this program, an independent cafe is a brick-and-mortar or fixed-location coffee business that operates regularly and consistently.

✅ Qualifies:

• A physical cafe, coffee shop, or coffee trailer that is parked in a fixed, regular location and operates multiple days per week.

• Independently owned (not a franchise or corporate chain).

• Open for at least one year before the program starts.

• Actively serving customers on-site as a primary business model.

❌ Does NOT qualify:

• Pop-ups or seasonal coffee stands that move frequently.

• Businesses that only operate at farmers markets.

• Online coffee businesses or roasters without a physical retail space.

1️⃣ Complete the video challenge by making a video of yourself answering the following four questions: Who are you? How did you get started? What have been your biggest challenges? Why this accelerator?
2️⃣ Fill out the online application and upload your video at the end, as well as your logo and menu
3️⃣ Applications close on March 23, 2025.

❓ What happens after I apply?

• April 11, 2025: Finalists are notified and must confirm participation.

• April 21, 2025: Program begins!

Participants can expect to spend about 1-2 hours per week in structured sessions, plus will need additional time implementing what you’ve learned like:

• Pricing out your menu

• Reviewing internal systems

• Making SOPs and other vital internal documents

• Creating marketing plans

We understand that life happens. Active participation is expected, but heck, we know you have such a full and unpredictable job.

All sessions will be recorded, but recognize that missing multiple sessions may impact your progress in the program. No refunds are given once participant as signed on.

We ask participants to document their journey because:
📌 It helps track your growth and reflect on progress.
📌 It allows us to share success stories and inspire other current and future cafe owners
📌 It builds your own brand—I believe, from experience, the power of “building in public”.

Documentation of the progress not only holds us accountable to the process, but allows the public to learn from us as well.

All public posts will be curated to uplift, encourage, and celebrate our cohort! All sensitive business information will stay discreet.

The recorded content submitted by participants is used to create weekly updates for the Accelerator program’s audience. A professional video editor will carefully edit and produce these updates to showcase the learning process, challenges, and growth of the cohort in a way that’s engaging and insightful.

We understand that your business operations and personal experiences are sensitive, so we will be tactful and respectful in how we present your story.

Our goal is to highlight the real journey of independent cafe owners while maintaining your privacy and ensuring that the content reflects your business in a professional and positive light.

By submitting videos, you’re contributing to a larger conversation about what it takes to run a successful cafe, helping to educate and inspire others in the industry.

Running an independent cafe is challenging, and high-quality coaching, expert mentorship, and structured learning experiences require significant resources to provide. The Reina Cafe Accelerator is designed to be as accessible as possible while still offering expert guidance, curated learning, and direct support from a leading industry professional.

Unlike traditional business consulting, which can cost thousands of dollars, this program provides personalized coaching, group learning, and guest speakers at a fraction of the cost. The fee ensures that participants are committed and fully engaged, making the most of the opportunity to grow their business.

This is an investment in your cafe’s long-term success, helping you develop strategies that will lead to higher revenue, better operations, and a more sustainable business.

The program total is $1100 for participants. That can be paid up front, or broken up into smaller payments, the smallest being $220 per month from May to September.

The Reina Cafe Accelerator is led by Erica Escalante, a cafe consultant with 17 years of experience in the specialty coffee industry. Erica has owned and operated cafes, a commissary kitchen, and worked with countless cafe owners to improve their businesses through holistic operations, pricing strategies, and leadership development.

Throughout the 24-week program, Erica will be your main coach and mentor, leading group sessions and one-on-one consulting to help participants build more profitable and sustainable cafes.

Additionally, the program will feature guest speakers—industry experts specializing in areas that are vital to the success of the cohort—to provide deeper insights on key topics.

The Reina Cafe Accelerator is made possible with the support of our program partners, who help offset the cost for participants, ensuring that this program remains accessible to independent cafe owners. Their contributions allow us to bring in expert speakers, provide structured guidance, and create valuable resources for every participant.

This accelerator is designed to give you real, actionable strategies for growth—without the high cost or equity demands of traditional business programs.