Lydia Papaphilippopoulos Snape
Welcome To Breaking Bread Lydia
In this episode, we break bread with Lydia. Lydia shares a candid recount of the challenges faced while opening her three successful businesses, Warwick St Kitchen in Leamington, Saint Kitchen in Brums JQ and her new bakery in Warwick. Lydia also tells us about her new online training course how to open a coffee shop.
Who Is Lydia & Why Did She Make The How To Open A Coffee Shop Course?
Let’s not kid ourselves—hospitality is not for the faint of heart. It’s a gritty world where the grind never stops, and every day throws a new curveball. Lydia, a former musician-turned-café queen, doesn’t just know this reality; she’s lived it, thrived in it, and now teaches others how to master it.
Her story reads like a dive bar anthem: a time spent chasing musical dreams, only to find the rhythm of her life changed completely. After trading in late-night gigs for early-morning espresso machines, Lydia dove headfirst into the unforgiving world of hospitality.
Lydia’s first taste of hospitality was in the fast-paced grind of a bustling city centre coffee shop, where the hiss of the steam wand and the constant hum of conversation were the soundtrack to her days. She fell hard and fast—not just for the artistry of coffee but for the electric thrill of a packed service, where every second mattered and every order was a chance to get it just right.
There’s something addictive about that kind of chaos, and Lydia was hooked. The sharp crack of beans hitting the grinder, the camaraderie of the team, the satisfaction of a perfectly poured flat white—it all spoke to her.
Why Did Lydia Open A Coffee Shop?
Working behind the counter wasn’t enough. Lydia didn’t just want to make coffee; she wanted to create a space where people could gather, connect, and feel a part of something bigger. So, with a head full of dreams and nerves of steel, she decided to take the leap and open her own coffee shop.
Her transition was anything but smooth, facing severe financial struggles, the emotional weight of managing a team during a global pandemic, and her own mental health battles. But here’s the twist: Lydia didn’t just survive. She built a thriving empire of cafes and a bakery, and now she’s sharing the playbook.
How To Open A Coffee Shop
This isn’t some cookie-cutter, feel-good business seminar. Lydia’s course is for the hustlers ready to embrace the chaos of running a coffee shop. It’s packed with hard-earned lessons that cut through the Instagram-filtered fantasies of café culture. She doesn’t just tell you how to pick the perfect latte art stencil; she tells you how to stay solvent, keep your team from mutiny, and make customers want to come back for more.
Here’s a taste of her advice:
- Professionalism First, Always. Treat your coffee shop like a business, not a passion project. That means knowing your numbers, paying your bills, and making decisions based on more than just vibes.
- Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast. Lydia believes in building a workplace where her team feels valued—because a happy barista makes a damn good cup of coffee.
- Resilience is Non-Negotiable. If you’re not ready to fail and fail again, don’t bother. The road to success is paved with broken espresso machines and brutal reviews.
Lydia doesn’t shy away from the ugly truth: this business is hard. But it’s also worth it. Her approach is raw, real, and deeply human—acknowledging that behind every beautiful cappuccino is a team of people working their asses off.
If you’ve ever dreamed of opening your own coffee shop, or any hospitality business, this course isn’t just a guide. It’s a wake-up call. Lydia lays it all out, from the romanticised highs to the unfiltered lows, and shows you how to make it work.
Why Watch This Episode How To Open A Coffee Shop?
Lydia’s journey isn’t just inspiring—it’s instructive. She’s proof that with the right mindset, a willingness to learn, and a refusal to quit, you can turn even the most unexpected detours into success stories. And if you’re ready to dive into the caffeine-fueled chaos of hospitality, then this podcast is for you.
Because, as Lydia says, “I want to feel like we did something that stood out something that not only was meaningful to customers but to team members as well, that’s what drives me”
Watch Our Full Chat Here
00:00 Introduction: From Failed Musician to Rock Band Days
01:06 Career Guidance and Work Experience
02:00 Pandemic Challenges and Business Survival
03:32 Expanding the Business Amidst Adversity
07:07 Building a Strong Team and Company Culture
10:54 Navigating the Hospitality Industry
18:19 Overcoming Major Setbacks
24:21 Launching an Online Course for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
34:14 Navigating Mental Health in the Workplace
35:06 The Challenges of Hospitality Management
37:21 Balancing Support and Business Needs
38:23 Embracing Imperfection as a Manager
38:47 The Importance of Honesty and Integrity
39:43 Coaching and Developing Management Skills
42:26 Handling Mistakes and Building Trust
44:13 Difficult Decisions in Leadership
47:03 The Reality of Running a Business
50:22 Book Recommendations and Personal Growth
56:28 Quickfire Questions and Personal Favorites
Links/Socials
How To Open A Coffee Shop Course- https://lydia-papaphilippopoulos-s-school.teachable.com/p/how-to-open-a-coffee-shop *Don’t forget the exclusive listener Code- BB15 for 15% off
Lydia Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/lpapznape/
Warwick St- https://www.warwickstreetkitchen.com/cafe-leamington-spa
Saint Kitchen- https://www.saintkitchen.com/
Sponsors
Stock Local Craft Rum Burning Barn In Your Venue- https://www.burningbarnrum.com/pages/trade-1
Buy Burning Barn Rum- https://www.burningbarnrum.com/collections/3-rums
Follow Burning Barn On Insta- https://www.instagram.com/burningbarnrum/
Food Delivery Businesses Sign Up & Save Money With Easy Food Here- https://easyfood.co.uk/restaurant-opportunity
Download Easy Food App Here- https://easyfood.co.uk/
Follow Easy Food On Insta- https://www.instagram.com/easyfood.co.uk/
Follow Easy Food West Mids- https://www.instagram.com/easyfood.westmidlands/
Opening Drone Footage From Rob At Alto Drones- https://www.instagram.com/alto.drones/
Music From Tom Ford- https://www.instagram.com/thetennischampion/
Follow Us
/https://www.instagram.com/breakingbreadpodcastbirmingham/
https://twitter.com/PodcastBread
https://facebook.com/breakingbreadpodcastuk
If you enjoyed this episode why not take a look back at our episodes with
Simpsons Chef Director Luke Tipping
Breaking Bread Birmingham- The Podcast For Food Lovers In Birmingham
