1. Get a job at a coffee shop. This one is pretty obvious. If you’re lucky enough to get a job at a coffee shop, learn as much as you can while you’re there. It will give you a very good advantage.
2. Ask if you can volunteer at a coffee shop: There aren’t many business owners who won’t say no to free labor. Even if you’re just washing dishes or mopping, you can trade this in for some level of training.
3. Do your research/be prepared: If you’re spending hundreds of dollars on a fancy course on the other side of the country, do some homework first. Try an online course, you may not think it’s for you after all. Spending $60 or so on an online course is a good idea, much better than spending thousands and realizing it wasn’t such a good idea. If you like it, then you already have some knowledge, you are already one step ahead.
4. Shop around – When you’re spending all that money, shopping around is a really good idea. Find as many schools or training courses as you can, list them, call them, get prices, and find out which one is the most cost-effective for you. Can you work from home or in your store with an online course or do you need to travel to a more expensive school?
5. Ask for discounts or haggle: Most training schools will be willing to drop the price just to ensure custom. Worth a try in this weather. If one school is cheaper than another, then you have leverage to haggle. Give it a try.
6. Refer a friend: Could I get a discount or refund for referring a friend? Ask at schools and tell your friends.
7. Group Training – If you have friends who are also interested in training as a barista, ask if you can get a discount for a large reservation.