What do you think of ABC?

[Tiger]

I am having a hell of a time finding someone to teach me how to be a barista. My town is small and it's very competitive here, so that's working against me, as is my disability. At the same time I really, really want this. Hence my question: what are your opinions of ABC? Thanks in advance.

[Mike Spence]

Hi Tiger, I think you will find a lot of really excellent comments about the ABC School here. Matt Milletto of the ABC school hosts this site.
There is a group for the ABC Graduates that I would probably have a ton of referrals for you.

From my experience, I can say this - as a sponsor of the school as well as someone that talks to a ton of new and existing coffee shop owners, the people that go through the school are usually better prepared and well rounded than other potential customers of ours.

Hope this helps!

[Adrian Badger]

I can't say enough good things about ABC. I attended their full-week course last year and it was one of the best things I did in preparation for opening my shop. Being fully immersed in the training, and being able to focus on learning without distraction was worth it.

The expertise that Matt Milletto and his team has (and is so eager to share) makes for a rewarding and worthwhile experience. I enjoyed the class so much that I hired ABC to do an onsite training of my newly hired staff just before my shop opened in September.

GO FOR IT! You won't regret it.

[Tiger]

Wonderful. I am glad to know it's so positive and highly regarded.

Adrian Badger said:

I can't say enough good things about ABC. I attended their full-week course last year and it was one of the best things I did in preparation for opening my shop. Being fully immersed in the training, and being able to focus on learning without distraction was worth it.

The expertise that Matt Milletto and his team has (and is so eager to share) makes for a rewarding and worthwhile experience. I enjoyed the class so much that I hired ABC to do an onsite training of my newly hired staff just before my shop opened in September.

GO FOR IT! You won't regret it.

[Jeremy Conley]

I'm curious. What is the disability that's working against you? I'm a one-armed amputee; and I can't use a prosthetic. I think with the right gear and the right technique you can overcome most things.

[Tiger]

I am partially blind. It's not that I don't think I can do the job, it's that I find people are reluctant to work with me because of it.

Jeremy Conley said:

I'm curious. What is the disability that's working against you? I'm a one-armed amputee; and I can't use a prosthetic. I think with the right gear and the right technique you can overcome most things.

[Joseph Robertson]

I have not had a class from the school in Portland, Ore.but I had a personal demonstration from Matt the owner at the San Diego SCAA coffee convention a few years back. There is no question I want to hone my milk skills at one of his classes in Portland. Consider this a strong endorsement Tiger.
I have been in business for a year as a Barista and business owner. That few minutes that Matt spent with me made all the difference for my confidence. No complaints to speak of and those I have had, have helped me grow and learn to do it better.

[Joseph Robertson]

I would bet my best espresso bean that ABC will work with you. In my limited experience, leaving latte art aside for now, most work is by feel and repetition. A good station is clean and meant for serious production. Tiger, in my shop I have gotten by with very limited use of art work. I want to take classes asap but many of my drinks are go cups anyway. I still try and leave the customer with something like a heart or apple.
But what I am trying to say here is when it comes to Barista work I don't feel you have handicap. The people that won't teach you have the handicap.
Cheers and do not give up if this is what you love.
Joseph

[Tiger]

Thank you so much. I really need to hear those words of encouragement right now.

Joseph Robertson said:

I would bet my best espresso bean that ABC will work with you. In my limited experience, leaving latte art aside for now, most work is by feel and repetition. A good station is clean and meant for serious production. Tiger, in my shop I have gotten by with very limited use of art work. I want to take classes asap but many of my drinks are go cups anyway. I still try and leave the customer with something like a heart or apple.
But what I am trying to say here is when it comes to Barista work I don't feel you have handicap. The people that won't teach you have the handicap.
Cheers and do not give up if this is what you love.
Joseph

[eric]

American barista and coffee school is worth the money! If I could afford to bring my whole staff there I would

[Jeremy Conley]

Ah. That may be hard to overcome, their hesitance. Just stick to your guns and do whatever you must in order to get a chance to learn —be it going to a school like ABC or just being persistent enough to land a job in a cafe.

Tiger said:

I am partially blind. It's not that I don't think I can do the job, it's that I find people are reluctant to work with me because of it.

Jeremy Conley said:

I'm curious. What is the disability that's working against you? I'm a one-armed amputee; and I can't use a prosthetic. I think with the right gear and the right technique you can overcome most things.

[James "Cosmo" Cramer]

Tiger, I have my certificate from ABC hanging on my coffee shop wall right next to my espresso machine. It was well worth the investment and it taught me alot of solid good behaviors. I also believe that I was able to grow my business faster and smarter because of the investment in a solid education from ABC.

Good Luck