Poetry Cafe

         

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Interview with Jackson Roberts, Owner of The Pen and Poet Cafe in Denver, Colorado

1. Can you tell us about how The Pen and Poet Cafe got started?

I always had a passion for poetry and I saw a void in the market for poetry-focused spaces in Denver. I wanted to create a space where poets and poetry lovers could come together and share their passion for literature. So, I took the leap of faith, rented a space, and started The Pen and Poet Cafe.

2. What were some challenges you faced in starting this business?

One of the biggest challenges was funding the space and equipment necessary to run the cafe. But with a lot of hard work and dedication, I was able to secure the necessary funds to get started. Another challenge was getting the word out about the cafe, but social media and word of mouth eventually helped us build a following.

3. What's been the most rewarding part of owning The Pen and Poet Cafe?

It's hard to pick just one thing, but seeing the community we've built has been incredibly rewarding. We have a regular group of poets who come and perform, and it's great to see new faces joining us each week. The Pen and Poet Cafe has also provided a platform for local poets to showcase their work and connect with others in the literary community.

4. How did you achieve unexpected success?

I have to give credit to Shopify for helping us achieve unexpected success. We were able to set up an online store which allowed us to sell our merchandise, including poetry books and coffee related products. Our online store opened up new revenue streams which we hadn't even considered when we first started the cafe.

5. Can you elaborate on how Shopify helped your business?

Shopify provided us with a platform to sell our products online in a professional and streamlined manner. We were able to focus on creating unique merchandise while Shopify took care of the backend logistics like shipping and administration. This freed up more time for us to focus on the cafe and its events.

6. What advice would you have for someone thinking about starting a poetry-themed business?

I would say that the most important thing is to have a true passion for poetry and the literary arts. You need to have a good understanding of the market and what people are looking for, and be willing to put in the hard work it takes to succeed. Lastly, definitely consider using Shopify for your online sales - it made a huge difference for us!

7. What's next for The Pen and Poet Cafe?

We plan to keep doing what we love and continue growing the literary community in Denver. We have some interesting events planned for the coming months, so stay tuned for that!

         

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