Today we’d like to introduce you to Micah Sharp.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I worked in technology for 30 years, sometimes in an office but mostly from home in Eugene, Oregon. I always wanted to get out from behind the computer and become more involved in my community. I’d been talking with a friend who was a business owner in town for several years about the idea of owning a small business, and when I finally retired, he recommended a small coffee shop he was selling as a broker.
So I took a chance and decided to become a small business owner. I had no experience in hospitality, and I had never completely owned a business on my own. It was quite a challenge, but also an exciting adventure. I’ve learned a tremendous amount along the way and really enjoyed becoming part of the local business and community here in Eugene.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. The learning curve around inventory, hiring, staffing, scheduling, processes, and day-to-day operations was very steep for me. There were so many differences between the technology world and running a physical, customer-facing business. Keeping the right people scheduled, making sure we had enough inventory, and keeping everything flowing smoothly while still trying to make improvements was a challenge I’d never faced before. It was a lot to learn all at once, but each challenge has taught me something and made me a better business owner.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Moke’s Coffee and Kitchen?
Moke’s is a neighborhood coffee shop and café in Eugene. We serve coffee, espresso drinks, breakfast and lunch, with a menu that includes things like breakfast tacos, burritos, breakfast sandwiches, mochi waffles, and our popular lattes.
I’m trying to make Moke’s be more than just a place to grab a cup of coffee. We want Moke’s to feel like a comfortable, welcoming neighborhood gathering place where people can start their day, meet a friend, grab breakfast, or become a regular and feel like they’re part of the community.
I’m particularly proud of the personality and sense of community we’re building around the Moke’s brand. We’re a small, independent local business, and that gives us the opportunity to know our customers, listen to them, and continually improve what we offer. I came into this business without a hospitality background, so I’m also proud of how much we’ve learned and how much the café has evolved since I took it over.
Ultimately, I want people to think of Moke’s as a place with good food, good coffee, good music, friendly people, and a genuine connection to the Eugene community.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that there’s no substitute for being present and paying attention. My career in technology was very much about people too, but running a café has given me a much more immediate connection to employees, customers, and the community.
The other big difference is the scale of the resources you have available. In technology, there were often larger teams, specialized people, and more resources to draw on when something needed to be solved. At the café, the team is much smaller, and there are fewer resources at our disposal. When something goes wrong, it’s often up to me, with the help of a few key staff members, to figure it out and fix it.
I’ve learned to be more flexible, listen closely, make decisions with the information I have, and accept that things won’t always go according to plan. You solve what’s in front of you, learn from it, and keep moving forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mokeskitchen.com/
- Instagram: mokescoffee
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MokesCoffee
