THE 8 PILLARS OF ADMINISTRATION - A Journey From Great → Greatness
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Hello Caffeinated Humans!
Today we’re going on a journey — from great to greatness -
The same climb our CEO, Brandon Peña, reminds us of every day. Great is good… but greatness is intentional. Greatness is built. Greatness is organized. Greatness is operational.
And greatness requires administration.
I joined 787 Coffee back in 2017. No title. No office. No shortcuts. Just a barista who loved to connect and sell, with a curiosity for coffee, leadership, and growth.
I learned that a great coffee shop is not built with espresso and milk — it’s built with consistency, systems, communication, culture, and energy.
Administration isn’t a department at 787 Coffee. Administration is the legs that hold up the 787 Coffee tabletop of operations.
If a store opens on time…
If the music is on…
If the coffee equipment works…
If vendors show up…
If payroll flows…
If the city is satisfied…
If the team gets onboarded…
If the experience is WOW…
That’s administration.
That’s us.
That’s greatness in action.
Today, as Head of Administration, my mission is to turn everything I’ve learned into a roadmap — one built on the 8 Pillars of Administration, pillars that support our shops, our baristas, our leaders, our customers, our farm, our plants, and our purpose.
This presentation is for administrators, leaders, and any human who wants to grow — and for the people who search for:
• 787 Coffee careers
• How to open a coffee shop
• Specialty coffee training
• Puerto Rican coffee
• Coffee leadership
Let’s take this journey from great → greatness, the 787 Coffee way.
Let's do this!
PILLAR 1: THE PHYSICAL SPACE
Pillar 1 is about every space we touch — our shops and our office.
At 787 Coffee, space is energy. If the space feels good, the humans feel good, and the experience becomes WOW.
In Our Shops:
• Lights, music, and flow set the vibe
• Coffee equipment must be ready and respected
• Supplies belong in clear, organized spaces
• Food displays must be labeled correctly
• Plants should be placed with intention
• Communal tables need power towers for community
This isn’t decoration — this is the customer experience.
In Our Office:
Our office also needs structure and love:
• Clean, organized, and clear
• Supplies labeled and easy to find
• A workspace that supports focus and teamwork
When our workspace flows, our decisions flow.
When our environment is consistent, our leadership becomes consistent.
Take care of the space → the space takes care of the humans → the humans create the WOW.
PILLAR 2: FOUNDATION & PERMITS
Every 787 store is built on a foundation — literally and administratively.
Admin ensures:
• Water is running
• Lights stay on
• Internet is strong
• Insurance is active
• Workers comp is current
• Maintenance follows a weekly rhythm
This pillar protects the business from chaos.
It keeps our shops open, our team safe, and our brand compliant.
Great shops serve coffee.
Greatness keeps them standing.
PILLAR 3:
CITY REGULATIONS
Nothing stops greatness faster than a surprise citation.
Admin stays ahead of:
• City permits
• Health regulations
• Hearings
• Payments
• Inspections
This isn’t “extra work.”
This is protecting the brand we’ve spent years building.
When we’re compliant, we’re confident.
When we’re confident, we grow.
When we grow, everyone grows.
PILLAR 4: MONEY
Money at 787 Coffee is not just dollars — it’s energy, organization, and accountability.
Money supports everything: payroll, equipment, supplies, maintenance, and growth.
When our finances are clean, our decisions are stronger, our team is calmer, and our service shines.
Purchasing With Intention
Purchases must be:
• Aligned with company needs
• Approved
• Necessary
This prevents waste and keeps operations flowing.
Deposits
Our Tuesday deposits are key:
• Clean cash flow
• Organized reporting
• Consistent expectations across all cities
Consistency = confidence.
Catering, Online Orders & Rentals
Revenue also comes from:
• Catering
• Events
• Space rentals
• Online coffee orders
This is BIG:
Most companies see admin as a cost.
At 787 Coffee, admin helps generate revenue — and is treated like a department that contributes to growth.
Vendor Relationships
Paying vendors on time builds:
• Trust
• Better pricing
• Better service
Pillar 4 keeps 787 Coffee stable, scalable, and ready for greatness
PILLAR 5: TEAM & HUMANS
At 787 Coffee, humans are everything.
Pillar 5 protects the people who bring the energy, the smiles, and the WOW moments.
Recruitment & Onboarding
Admin ensures each new teammate:
• Fits the culture
• Has correct paperwork
• Receives their binder
• Understands expectations
• Feels welcomed
Strong onboarding = strong performance.
Schedules, Attendance & Salaries
Admin keeps schedules clean, attendance correct, breaks respected, and salaries accurate.
This builds trust — and trust builds retention.
Compliance
Food handler permits, timekeeping accuracy, and documentation protect:
• The team
• The stores
• The customer experience
Humans make the magic — and Pillar 5 keeps our culture strong.
PILLAR 6: LA COCINA
La Cocina is the quiet powerhouse of 787 Coffee — where consistency begins and product quality is protected.
Quality & Freshness
Every item must reflect:
• Our standards
• Our brand
• Our love for craft
If it’s not fresh, labeled, or ready — it’s not 787.
Coordination & Communication
La Cocina aligns with:
• Inventory
• Deliveries
• Store needs
• Specials
• Holidays
• Seasonal menus (like our Pumpkin Loaf)
The kitchen drives operations.
Cleanliness & Structure
A clean kitchen is a safe kitchen — and a productive one.
FIFO, labeled items, and tight organization keep service smooth.
La Cocina is the behind-the-scenes hero of daily operations.
Greatness also starts in the kitchen.
PILLAR 7: INVENTORY
Inventory is the backbone of consistency.
It’s not just counting — it’s planning, forecasting, and protecting the guest experience.
Accuracy matters. Inventory must be counted correctly, reported on time, and entered with intention. These numbers directly influence ordering, kitchen prep, waste, sales, and the daily flow of service.
Inventory helps us prepare for:
• Busy weekends
• Holidays and seasonal spikes
• Weather shifts
• New product launches
• Marketing pushes
Organization is key. Inventory lives on shelves, in fridges, and in freezers, so it must be clean, labeled clearly, rotated properly (FIFO), and free of clutter.
When inventory is tight, the business flows.
When inventory is sloppy, greatness becomes impossible.
Pillar 7 is discipline and foresight — how we stay consistent every day.
PILLAR 8: THE WOW FACTOR
WOW is the feeling that defines 787 Coffee — and it doesn’t only happen at the bar.
Admin creates WOW through clarity, organization, and support.
In the office, WOW shows up in clean systems, labeled supplies, clear communication, and an organized workspace. These details make the team’s day easier and create a professional environment that feels good to walk into.
Admin creates WOW for operations by:
• Brewing cappuccinos with beautiful latte art
• Creating signs for birthdays and wins
• Providing waters and setting up meeting spaces
These actions build trust, reduce stress, and keep teams focused on serving guests.
WOW isn’t just in lattes — it’s in leadership, intention, and care.
When admin leads with WOW, the whole company rises.
Be a CAFFEINATED HUMAN.
Be a creative human. Be a good human.
Be a NuevaYOL Caffeinated Human.
CONCLUSION: FROM GREAT → GREATNESS
Humans, these 8 Pillars remind us that administration isn’t the back office — it’s the backbone. Every permit, deposit, binder, report, clear email, and WOW moment inside the office is what allows stores, teams, and customers to feel the 787 difference.
My journey from barista in 2017 to Head of Administration taught me one truth:
Greatness is built — never found.
When admin is strong, operations are strong.
When operations are strong, our teams shine.
When our teams shine, our guests feel it — and our company grows.
So as we move forward, let’s honor these pillars, protect them, and lead with them.
Because this is how we take 787 Coffee from great → greatness.
Let’s keep building. Let’s keep growing.
Let’s keep choosing greatness — together.
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