Barrel House Coffee Company was founded by two couples, James and Nicole Howard and Ryan and Katie Turnage. Working out of the Howard’s garage, we combined our love for bourbon and coffee by placing unroasted coffee beans into freshly dumped bourbon barrels. 
After some trial and error, the barrel-aging process was defined and ready to share with friends and family. Shortly after, we gained a large enough following while selling our beans at the Canton Farmers Market in downtown Canton, Georgia. We officially opened our doors to the public December 8, 2018 after months of building and preparation.
Barrel House Coffee Company is now owned and operated by Ryan and Katie Turnage. They both have degrees in Business Administration and Business Management, but more importantly they have a love for their community and a passion for excellent customer service.
Who are Ryan and Katie Turnage?
Ryan Turnage was raised in Irmo, South Carolina and graduated from Dutch Fork High School. Shortly after graduating, he joined the United States Marine Corps as a Combat Correspondent (Private Joker for anyone who has seen “Full Metal Jacket”).
While stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Ryan volunteered to deploy with Regimental Combat Team 6, 6th Marine Corps Regiment to Camp Ramadi, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Feeling the urge to continue serving his country, Ryan reenlisted and was given orders to Marine Corps Recruiting Station Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Once Katie joined him there, he knew his life would change forever. The two were married in December 2012 and he exited the Marine Corps in 2013. He immediately began his undergraduate studies at Kennesaw State University on the Post 9/11 GI Bill. Finishing his Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Management in record time and graduating Magna Cum Laude, he was hungry for more.
Ryan immediately began preparing for graduate school and was accepted to Kennesaw State University where he graduated just one year later in July 2018 with a Master of Business Administration. Just one month later, he helped found Barrel House Coffee Company.
Katie (Henry) Turnage was raised in Woodstock, Georgia and graduated from Sequoyah High School. She began her undergraduate studies at Kennesaw State University until she met her now husband, Ryan. She transferred to Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, Louisiana to build on an already strong relationship with Ryan while he was stationed there in the Marine Corps.
She graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a minor in Business Management. After building her skills in the banking and healthcare industry, she decided to focus her efforts locally on the coffee shop.
Katie and Ryan celebrated the birth of their first child, Luke, in January 2020. The three live on a small horse farm just a few miles from downtown Ball Ground. When not working at the shop or creating more efficient processes, Katie, Ryan and Luke enjoy walking the downtown sidewalks, shopping and eating local, and simply sitting on their front porch overlooking the horse pasture while drinking their favorite coffee.
Follow Barrel House Coffee Company on Facebook and Instagram.
This transcript is machine transcribed by Sonix
TRANSCRIPT
Intro: [00:00:08] Coming to you live from the Business RadioX studio in Woodstock, Georgia. This is fearless formula with Sharon Cline.
Sharon Cline: [00:00:18] And welcome to Fearless Formula on Business RadioX, where we talk about the ups and downs in the business world and offer words of wisdom for business success. I am your host, Sharon Cline. And if you’ve never had coffee beans, barrel aged and in in freshly dumped bourbon barrels because this is like so descriptive to me and I love it. You need to visit Barrel House Coffee Company in Ballground, Georgia. And I have one of the co owners here in the studio, Katie Turnage. Welcome.
Katie Turnage: [00:00:48] Hi, Sharon. Thank you so much for having me.I appreciate it.
Sharon Cline: [00:00:52] It’s funny because I was thinking, how do I describe what it tastes like? Because I had your coffee recently and was like, yes, I want the barrel, you know, aged beans. But it’s hard to explain. The flavor is not something that it’s like, oh, it’s creamy or you know, it’s different. Different. How would you describe it?
Katie Turnage: [00:01:07] So I’d.Say it’s not for everyone, but.It’s so it’s such a unique flavor. It’s not like adding a shot of bourbon to your coffee, but it definitely accents those great.Caramel chocolaty notes. So that.To that coffee flavor profile and.It’s wonderful.A lot of our lattes, our Nutella latte.Is the most.Popular with it, with that barrel aged coffee.And we Have it frozen.And is.Like.Perfect on that summer.Day.
Sharon Cline: [00:01:32] Oh, wow. Yes, I missed that one. I’m definitely going to have to come back. So let’s talk a little bit about first of all, I wanted to ask you about background, because 100 years ago when I moved here, it was small. It seemed smaller or sort of not as bustling, but it is huge right now and booming.
Katie Turnage: [00:01:49] We love. Ball ground. My husband.And I both live there.And.We love.The downtown area.The small businesses.Down there.Just Thriving doing. So well. They’re just it’s such a. Great little community of small business. Owners that we have over. There and living there. We eat there, we work there and we go home and we play there. So it’s wonderful. We have a ball ground.
Sharon Cline: [00:02:10] Yes, that’s awesome. I was there recently and I saw also in your in your store, what would you call it.
Katie Turnage: [00:02:19] Shop Street.
Sharon Cline: [00:02:21] Yeah, a little bit of everything. Whatever you want to call they you had some locally made snacks there as well and I thought how sweet is that that you really are helping to promote.
Katie Turnage: [00:02:30] No We have a local bakery That’s. Right in Canton. 10 minutes on the road from us. She makes wonderful baked goods. We roast coffee. We do good, great coffee, baking goods as our forte. So we love to partner out with another great local business, Paula’s Desserts. And she brings them in fresh. We’re able to sell. We don’t have to worry about making food yet, but it’s just wonderful.
Sharon Cline: [00:02:52] You each win.
Katie Turnage: [00:02:54] So we can advertise for her. She does for us. She sells our coffee. It literally it works out. It’s a perfect scenario.
Sharon Cline: [00:02:59] Win win on both sides. So what got you into coffee?
Katie Turnage: [00:03:03] So it was my husband. My husband had a dream. Of always. Opening his own coffee. Shop. Being deployed. A veteran Marine Corps veteran. They love their coffee. Veterans do. And it’s what they. Lived on when they were when he. Was deployed. And coming. Back. He always wanted a coffee shop. It was his dream. I was one with my. Heels in the ground, especially being a small business owner. That was. So scary. To me. He we found. Business partners. That were actually barrel aging coffee out of their garage. Using a couple. Of barrels. Selling at local farmers. Markets. We thought it was such a cool idea. I had never seen it before and my husband’s. A huge bourbon drinker. I shouldn’t say he drinks bourbon, but we thought the flavor profile. Was something we had never experienced. Before. And we wanted. To open a coffee shop but just have a different flair on it. That we hadn’t seen. Before. And so we. Opened it back in 2018, the summer of 2018. And. Decided to kind of make it. Look like a Rick House. We opened with the bare minimums. No bank funding at all. We just all. Savings and. Started very, very. Small. We opened actually without an espresso machine, which, looking back on it, I’m like, Holy. Cow, how the heck did we do that? My husband opened it, opened a close. We had partners to. Help us on the weekends and some nights and basically grinded it. For about a year and a half before COVID hit. Covid was super scary. Didn’t know what the. Heck to do. We stayed. Open because. We had a couple employees at that. Time, and. To us it was really. Important. To as much as we could keep the doors. Open. To provide a paycheck. For them. But to also give a place for people to. Come and. Still get a little. Sense of community as. Best as we could during COVID restrictions. And then right after COVID, we bought our business partners out. They went and did. Another business. Venture. It was a great transition to. Just my husband and I. I got pregnant with my. Son Luke.
Sharon Cline: [00:05:10] And things like like, I’m sure that was what I’m thinking about, too. It’s like all of these are different hits, you know? Yes. First of all, just opening your own business. But second of all, COVID and then third of all, buying out just like all these transitions.
Katie Turnage: [00:05:24] Happening all at once and a baby. And it all. Happened. Just. Looking back on it. It all happened in such an organic. Good growth way that, like we learn. So many. Valuable. Things each time, each transition. I had my feet in the ground about not wanting to really. Work back in food and retail. I had worked at all through high school college and said I would never go back.
Sharon Cline: [00:05:47] You went to Kennesaw State University, I thought, and you got your degree. I want to say, is it business, right?
Katie Turnage: [00:05:51] Yes, business. Management. Actually, from a small college. Out of Louisiana when my husband was stationed there in Baton Rouge. So I started I kind of saw and then transitioned. To Southeastern. And. But yeah, I said. I would never. Work in food and retail. And COVID happened getting pregnant. And it’s crazy how now I manage the shop. I’ve got a. Great assistant manager that helps and leads and. And it’s where I was supposed to be. So, like. I genuinely enjoy. It. I love the people, I love our regulars. Our team is like, phenomenal. I couldn’t ask for a better team. They’re the reason why I’m here right now. I just make sure they have what they need and they’re the one that handled all the handle, all the customer interactions, and they’re the one. That takes care of the people. I’m just kind of behind the scenes. Making sure that they. Have what they need to. Facilitate their job the best. But it’s crazy how everything works. And. You get. Reassigned. And I love it. It gives me the time to be with my son and the season of life with small kids, but at the same time. Still be a. Huge part of the community that we love and don’t. Home Background.
Sharon Cline: [00:06:53] When you were looking for a place to open your shop, where what was it about ball ground that drew you there?
Katie Turnage: [00:06:59] We live there and we just love the downtown area. It didn’t have a coffee shop. We lived there for about 3 to 4 years before. I didn’t know we.
Sharon Cline: [00:07:07] Have a coffee.
Katie Turnage: [00:07:07] Shop. We didn’t have a coffee shop. And I’m like, Oh my God, how does the. Downtown not. Have a coffee shop? So my husband. Was that was more of a reason for us to.
Sharon Cline: [00:07:15] Yeah, there’s a need, right?
Katie Turnage: [00:07:16] Yeah. And we, we love it there. Our location. Specifically, we happen to be eating across the street. Saw the landlord going in and out of. The place. We walked over right. After dinner and. Had a conversation. With him, Got along with him. Really, really. Well. And that’s how it happened. Word of mouth. Real estate and down home ball ground is very hard to get a hold of. So it was just perfect. Timing, again, of just an organic thing that we just happen to go over and talk. And the rest was kind of history. We’re kind of in the. Back of a building so we don’t have a drive through. We don’t really have. Storefronts, so. It is a little difficult to find us at first, but it’s cool because it’s like I always say, we’re the cool hole in the wall of like, you. Know, you have to know where. We’re at.
Sharon Cline: [00:07:57] And you have a really great little courtyard.
Katie Turnage: [00:07:58] Yeah, right out. We love the courtyard outside. We have a great parking lot out back. So for a downtown area, it allows us to kind of be tucked. A little bit, but we get a lot of foot traffic from the downtown area, which we really. Enjoy as. Well.
Sharon Cline: [00:08:11] We talked a little bit before the show about how things sometimes just unfold, like you were saying in such an organic way. How did it feel to kind of see all of these little not challenges but shifts and that you’re able to meet them so fluidly and easily?
Katie Turnage: [00:08:28] Easily? Oh, yeah, but. Having a good. Partner. My husband, a business. He’s my business. Partner. He’s my husband. My best friend. A. Communicating through that and bouncing. Ideas to be able to have that relationship of. You have good days, you have bad days, you. Have in any marriage. But also as. Business partners of. Like you, sometimes you don’t see eye to eye. Sometimes you’re really hot about. Something and another person can kind of. Talk you. Down. But having that other. Person to consistently bounce and find. Ways to grow. And learn from it. As cliché as it. Sounds, that’s the only way we. Are able to like, really just say, okay, all. Right, we’re not going in this direction. Okay, let’s go this direction. When I’m on the ground crying or thinking everything’s over. It’s like, Wait a. Minute, Katie. No, no, no. Let’s go. This could be the direction instead. So, I mean, some. Of them were easy. I shouldn’t say wasn’t easy. Some of them were. It just kind of happened and it just. As long as you kept putting a foot in the forward direction. It might not. Be a huge step, but it was still just one more foot forward. Yeah. Foot forward. Oh, gosh. We don’t know what we’re doing.
Sharon Cline: [00:09:38] We talk about that on the show a lot with different business owners about surrounding yourself with the right kind of people and how important that is. And what is it like. I know you were saying that you had have these employees that you couldn’t you really couldn’t do it without them. What was it like to try to find quality people? Because we talk a lot about that on.
Katie Turnage: [00:09:55] The business show. The hardest it’s the hardest part. Of running of my. Business. You know, you go through the interview process and you think you have a great ten minute interview in. That person’s going to solve all your problems and you know, they’re. Going to be absolutely wonderful to grow your team. And it’s so hard because you don’t want to make a quick judgment on someone. But for your business, you have to be able to figure. Out long term if you can trust them or not. You get them in and sometimes they don’t work and then it’s to. Me that is the hardest. Of being able. To. Give someone chances. You want to work with them, you want to work. Through things, you want. To grow with them, but at the same time, knowing when to. Cut the. Cut the line to where it’s not poisonous to the rest of your team. But I strongly. Rely on my team. Of. Constantly pretty much every business decision I’m fielding through them of like, Hey guys, I’m doing we’re doing this because of A, B and C. How do you feel about that? My husband says, I make it a lot more. Complicated because I do that.
Sharon Cline: [00:10:51] Executive decision. We’re doing that.
Katie Turnage: [00:10:52] But I’m like, You know what? They’re there at the heart and the. Baseline of it, of a decision that we make ultimately affects them the most. They’re the one having to. Deal with a upset customer. Over something that. Didn’t, you know. That has been changed or whatever. And if they don’t understand, they don’t need to know everything. But if they don’t understand the baseline of. Why. Then it makes their job. A lot harder. So I’d rather do a little bit more work up front. Communicating it then and making sure that they understand than just saying it’s. Because I said so. I don’t agree with it. But but my team is just absolutely incredible. I don’t I. Couldn’t say anything more highly of them. We’ve had a couple of them for. We’ve had one our longest employee, I think he’s at three and a half years now. Our assistant manager Tim, that I’m he’s my right hand he’s absolutely wonderful. Hero for all of our coffee for us. He handles all of our morning regulars and then we’ve got. Leads that. Help him help me and I’m just behind the scenes.
Sharon Cline: [00:11:53] Where do you get your barrels? Like, how do you make it work?
Katie Turnage: [00:11:56] Local distillery. Elbow out of Atlanta. They’re absolutely wonderful. They we get them freshly dumped from them within a week of dumping to make sure that it’s not just an old barrel that’s just been sitting out. That’s how we get it. We get it. Fresh and then beans within them within a week, allowing them to age for a couple of months. And then once they’ve aged for a couple of months, depending on the. Barrel, but. Depending on the strength, the bean will then pull and roast and house. And it’s I think we’ve got close to like 50 or 60. Barrels now. That are aging coffee to help forecast for. Four or five months. Out. So that’s how.
Sharon Cline: [00:12:31] Many barrels you have to have or four.
Katie Turnage: [00:12:33] Or five to forecast out. And then my barrel yields about two batches. And just my husband deals. A lot with that. Oh yeah, he’s our barrel manager. He goes the. He goes yeah, he just loves going to the bourbon places. I don’t know why but Yeah.
Sharon Cline: [00:12:47] But how cool. Because it’s like a win win. You know, this other distillery is not needing it anymore and then you get to have a second life with it.
Katie Turnage: [00:12:54] Yeah. Which is very cool. And it’s cool because there’s even a. Third life on that, which we didn’t realize opening the. Business of what are we going to do with all these barrels. When we get done with them? We’re not just gonna throw them out. They’re beautiful. Barrels. And so we then sell them to our customers. For what we pay. For them. And they. Do. I mean, the. Coolest furniture projects. Planters. I had a guy wrap his. Metal column in a. Basement. With man. Cave with barrels. I mean, just the coolest things with barrels that I would have never thought of. But it’s a secondary. Market. That like. We can, you know, not just. Take these gorgeous barrels and if I could, I’d. Keep them all. Yeah, I bet I love them. I bet.
Sharon Cline: [00:13:31] They smell amazing.
Katie Turnage: [00:13:32] Too. And each one is different and unique depending on where it was in a brick house and whatnot. But it’s cool. It was a total. Secondary thing that we now. Hustle barrels after we get done. So we have. Anywhere from like 1 to. 5 barrels at. A time that people can come and pick up and and do what they want with them with the furniture.
Sharon Cline: [00:13:50] That’s a really we’ll have to talk after the show. But I wanted to ask you, what is your number one thing that you sell like your most popular item, most popular drink, I should.
Katie Turnage: [00:13:59] Say popular. Drink. Our popular coffee bag is our barrel. Aged medium roast. That’s the one that’s the most. Popular. Coffee. And then our. Probably our favorite. It depends. The holiday drinks are pretty. Popular. But our. Nutella with that barrel aged coffee is a is a huge hit.
Sharon Cline: [00:14:17] I’m thinking about it. I’m thinking about it as we speak. I’m like, I’m paying attention, I promise.
Katie Turnage: [00:14:21] Yes, that one. Just because it pairs so well with the beautiful bourbon flavor that. It’s I’m craving it right now. Can you.
Sharon Cline: [00:14:27] Really get through the.
Katie Turnage: [00:14:28] Afternoon?
Sharon Cline: [00:14:28] But I was thinking, you’re not just having barrel aged coffee, you’ve got regular roast coffee.
Katie Turnage: [00:14:34] Yes, we do. Yes. So all of our coffee. Selection, we say like our Americanos, our cappuccinos. Lattes. Anything we can do, barrel aged or non barrel aged, non barrel. Aged as. Your I say, your normal. Espresso. We have an Asian in a coffee barrel and then our. Barrel age. Is that same espresso being that we have aged in a bourbon. Barrel. So you kind of have a different spin on pretty much any of. Your regular coffee. Drinks. To be barrel. Aged or non barrel age at that point in time.
Sharon Cline: [00:14:59] So if you’re just joining us, we are speaking to the co-owner of Barrel House Coffee Company, Katie Turnage. So I wanted to ask you to how how did you stay afloat during the pandemic? Because a lot of companies didn’t. So what did you do.
Katie Turnage: [00:15:15] Really relying on community. We made sure that we. Stayed open as long as we. Possibly could. Even within the restrictions, it looked a little funny during times of having like a line with. Arrows. And making sure everyone’s going the right way. Giving the six foot. Distance mass, whatnot, but making sure that when we’re going out to lunch to. Dinner, we’re. Keeping it within our community. Being able to go. Across the street, over the burger bus or. Frankfurters for lunch or, you know, being able. To. Support the other businesses that we could tell. Everyone was just kind of wide eyed and didn’t. Know what to do. So true. So it was like, okay. Instead. Of as easy as it would. Have been just to go home and. Be in our. House and remain our six feet apart and do all that. It was important for. Us to still be able to. Put money into the local. Businesses. So it was like we would. Buy lunch for. Staff or we would, after we get off. Shift, make sure. To go over places that we saw were a little. Slower than others. To. Just continue. To. Every little bit helps. So and also checking in on. Our other businesses. In the downtown area. Like, hey, look, are you. Okay? What’s going on?
Sharon Cline: [00:16:27] So kind of you to do that. Very compassionate of.
Katie Turnage: [00:16:29] You. Well, it was it was. Done to me. As well. It was so just. Kind of happened organically within the community. Because we were all scared. We were all just like, okay, is this are we going to be allowed to stay open? I know we have all these parameters, but then it’s like, who is enforcing them? And then what happens. If we. Don’t know the. Newest restriction of that day? Or you know what if we have a disgruntled customer. Come in and someone’s mass has slipped down and we’re in the you know, like. It’s just it was just a. Whole nother onslaught of. Just. Confusion that no one knew. But to be able to say to. Like everyone. Else was like, okay, this is what. We’re doing. That worked for you. What did this work for you like? It was just a whole nother. Tear of us. Getting together and trying to. And the city of Algren also. Was. Absolutely wonderful. To us to help with us of. Any questions that we. Had. They’ve always been amazing to work with, and they. Say they were allowed the red. Carpet said of the red tape. And I could not. Agree with that, that phrase. No. It’s and. I. Totally endorse it. And believe wholeheartedly. They absolutely do to us to help us and. They understand. The the. The hardships of it?
Sharon Cline: [00:17:42] Well, I mean, there’s nothing scarier or, you know, taps into fear more than something you’ve put your heart into and your financial future stability into. And then to have something like that happen. You know.
Katie Turnage: [00:17:54] One is. Like you spend all this time building this team that you. Have worked so. Hard and put so much time and energy to get them trained. And then it’s like, ultimately. If we shut the door, how do we. Continue to pay them. They’ve got to pay their bills, too. So then it’s like if we don’t keep the doors. Open, we can’t pay them. Then we lose a team that we’ve. Tried so hard to. And we were very lucky. We scraped by, but we were able to keep. The team that we had and continue to stay open and just put our head down and do the best we. Could with it.
Sharon Cline: [00:18:22] Wow. What do you find to be the. Our most challenging. Is it because a lot of people talk about balance? I always that’s the first thing I think about as far as like doing voiceover work to I could be doing all I could audition all day, all night, and you know, there has to be some kind of a balance in life, but particularly with social media being so prevalent and so many ways that people advertise that way, how do you shut off work and or do you shut off work and then be.
Katie Turnage: [00:18:52] On your husband and your.
Sharon Cline: [00:18:53] Business? I know, right? Can you just have a conversation that doesn’t involve.
Katie Turnage: [00:18:56] Yes, like no talking about the. Child and no talking. About the business. And we just like kind of look at each other like, I like you, like I love you, but I don’t. Oc The weather’s been nice. Like you don’t. It’s hard to.
Sharon Cline: [00:19:09] Imagine.
Katie Turnage: [00:19:10] So we’re constantly checking each other. And trying. To. Say, you know. Hey, look, we’ve talked a lot about this. We’ve, we’ve put. Our head together and we’ve. We’ve over communicated about this. We’ve overdone it on this. But. Balance is that. I’m. That’s the most difficult thing is finding a work life balance and especially I. Have a three year old. So finding the. Work. Life balance of being a good mom and being with him, having a business to where you want to spend a lot of your. All of your extra. Time making that business. Better. But knowing where to hang up the. Hat at the door to where. I’m mom now and I don’t want to. I don’t want to impede on that. Either. Because you can’t get that time back. Either. So it’s like it’s. Someone explained to me, it’s like a different season in your life. And I’m in the season of small having a small child right now and being out and being social and going to marketing events and growing the business on that regard just isn’t. This isn’t the season right now for me to be able to. Grind the pavement and that as much. As I would like to. But that time will come. And being at home with my child and being a small business owner and having a great team, it allows me to do things like this and. To go to his doctor’s. Appointments and concerts and little things that mean the world to me and being. Able to trust. A team that will open and close and run the store and just make sure it doesn’t burn down. You know, I joke with them about that, but it’s it’s so true to being able to trust. Them. That. They’ll let me know if they need me. And it’s taken a long time to get there.
Sharon Cline: [00:20:48] But yeah, because you can have your your you can shut off your work brain and really access more your mom brain or whatever it is that you want when you have trust that way.
Katie Turnage: [00:20:56] Yes, wholeheartedly. And just building into my. People of like, okay, I. Trust you. I’m not going to micromanage you. Let me know what you need. But you know I’m here. I’m here. And what can I do to help? And the last thing I’m doing is making a cup of. Coffee, even though it’s something that I would absolutely, you know, but. Being a small business owner and wearing all the different hats and constantly wanting to grow and. Get better. And. That’s part of. That’s part of it. And learning the balance. I’m still. I’m looking for mentors and. Guidance in different forums of how do I not lose my. Sanity.
Sharon Cline: [00:21:27] You know, what I like, though, is that we were talking about Alma Coffee and that’s like one of the coffee companies that helped sponsor some of the shows that we have and how you were like, Oh, I love them. And I thought, how sweet is that?
Katie Turnage: [00:21:37] That, you know, they’re wonderful.
Sharon Cline: [00:21:38] And appreciation for it’s not competition. It’s just like you’re both in the same boat, you know? And so it’s kind of sweet that you have your cheering on other companies, too.
Katie Turnage: [00:21:47] Absolutely. We can all do it. Together and they’re they’re wonderful farm to cup and that. I can’t compete with what they’re. Doing. I mean they’ve got multiple generations. They’re absolutely wonderful what they do. And and I know. They appreciate. Us too. And it’s. So cool because. We’ll bump into each other at events and whatnot. And it’s. It’s cool. I love. That. And to me, that’s the community that we want to grow and be and where we’re not. The only or the best or.
Sharon Cline: [00:22:10] Going down, you’re going down.
Katie Turnage: [00:22:12] It’s like, Come on, It’s like, I’m going crazy over this. Are you too? Yeah. Okay. All right. We have a little I have a little. Group that I’m like, Oh, my. Gosh, have you experienced this yet? But it’s cool. Because, I mean, we wouldn’t be able to grow and. We all grow. Together when we’re able to network and. Like refer people. Out. And another. Great coffee shop is. Bazaar down in Canton that they’re wonderful to. And it’s just like.
Sharon Cline: [00:22:34] I’d like to have him on the show at some point. I go there often.
Katie Turnage: [00:22:37] If I could have part of. Her creativeness, Oh my.
Sharon Cline: [00:22:39] Gosh, isn’t that amazing? Cow? But it’s so cool that if you have a strength here and someone else has a strength there, like you can learn and draw from each other, which is so cool. It’s supportive. And I think that’s what I love about our community in general, is that everyone really does.
Katie Turnage: [00:22:53] Cherokee County.
Sharon Cline: [00:22:54] Cherokee County. Yeah. And it’s it is really a special place. I think I’ve heard it compared to other counties where they’re like, it’s just not like that over there. And I’m like, really? I’ve gotten.
Katie Turnage: [00:23:02] Spoiled, you know? But it’s been from I think. Truly, I think it’s from all the hard work of the small, all the small business. Owners and breaking down that. Barrier of like, Hey, look, I see you’re. Struggling or. Hey, look, this is what I. Struggled with and not make it painting this. Picture perfect. That we all want. To create. Yeah, right. So we all want to, but it’s like, Hey. Look, I’m struggling with this. Oh, my gosh, I’m not going crazy. You are, too. And that’s. Just it.
Sharon Cline: [00:23:27] Normalizes it, right? I love. I love that. Do you do you advertise social media? So do you have to talk?
Katie Turnage: [00:23:34] No, you do not have to get yelled at about that last week. They’re like. You need to share me on your TikTok. I’m like, I don’t have an. Instagram and Facebook. And Tim, our assistant manager, and I, we meet. Twice a week for a couple of hours to. Kind of pull our brains together and get we’re trying to get on. To reels. Because that’s the new thing. And I’m. So old school. On photos and. How to make a latte look different every time. She’s just creative. Creativeness is not my forte. Right? Right. But yeah, social media is kind of what we put our marketing and advertising and right now building that. And that’s how. We get a lot of our regulars. And our different drinks and whatnot. Out. But we have hopes. To get kind of into that next. Year. To.
Sharon Cline: [00:24:16] Really promote it. I had someone on the show went to is associated with a social media marketing company. It’s her company and just how that is just the number one. It is just where everyone goes and it’s crazy. It is. I was just telling you before the show how I get down at Tik-tok Rabbit Hole. Yes. And I don’t mean to because I have a book that I really want to finish reading and I haven’t done it. I’m like, Let me just go through to it for 45 minutes. And I’m like, Oh my gosh. So I see how that’s if that’s where, you know, I’m not the only one that does this, but I just see how that can be If you’re on this, this is where and I need to do the same. I’m supposed to be using TikTok for this show. Exactly. And have I done it yet? No, I talk about it all the time, talking about.
Katie Turnage: [00:24:57] It in the vacuum, but the actual provide good. Quality content that hasn’t been done anywhere else. I’m like, I’m in all of people that can do that on a daily basis. That is just holy.
Sharon Cline: [00:25:08] Holy, sure. That’s such a gift. All right. We’ll have to talk after the show. Maybe we can come up with some good creative ideas. What do you find most rewarding about what you’re doing about your shop? And I was thinking to how great it is to have these relationships. It’s not just business, it’s relationships. Yeah, but I’m wondering what what do you find that just kind of drives you and gets you up every day? Not just the financial aspect.
Katie Turnage: [00:25:31] It’s the. It’s the people that are. Regulars that come in. We got it, especially over Christmas break that. You know, they’d come in and normally just see the one man or the one woman, and they’re all of a sudden with. A group of. Like ten people and they’re like, Oh my gosh, we have to. Show you this is our favorite shop. This is our favorite spot. We had to bring our family to come and see. We absolutely love. Like and then the family. Leaves with a bunch of. Coffee and then they’re like from California, they’re from. All over. And it’s like, to me, the highest. Compliment when it’s like. You’re their favorite spot. That you bring their family. To of like they don’t have to come and. Spend a lot of money or. You know, whatever. But it’s like they all feel, I feel so special that it’s like out of. All the time that you have with family, which is not a lot when you’re here and in the hustle and running around, they’re bringing. Their family to your shop. And it’s like or our city manager, we were during the Christmas. Parade this year. And our Christmas. Parade is. Our busiest night of the year. And we had a line. I mean. It was through three doors. Out into. The road. It was. Absolutely insane and. We were just cranking it out. We’re having a great time in there. And we were. The busiest we’ve ever. Been. And the. City manager is just like opens the door and is just like great job crew. And just like a cheerleader. And it’s like. You don’t have to do that, you know? And it’s like just to get those like little. Pats on the back, especially when you’re you’re grinding and you’re in the. Weeds a lot. It’s like that’s why that that’s and your team feels good. Everyone feels. Good and it’s just. Like it gets regurgitated out through all the other businesses as well. When. They’re. So it’s just that to me that’s.
Sharon Cline: [00:26:58] That was like I think I could almost feel it what it would feel like, you know, just like a joy.
Katie Turnage: [00:27:03] And you’re like, Are you doing it right? I think every, you know, you see. Everything going wrong. Especially being the business owner. And but it’s just like, holy cow, okay, we’re. Doing this like we’re and we’re. Cranking this. Out. And it’s an well-oiled machine. Most of the time. And it’s that’s. That’s to me, the one I’m the most proud of. And people come in to meet and whatnot.
Sharon Cline: [00:27:21] So I think it’s cool to to imagine that like, okay, just 20 years from now saying, oh, this is. I used to go, you know, during this period of my life where I was like, Oh, this is where we used to get hot chocolate with the babies. Or we.
Katie Turnage: [00:27:31] Just had an an. Illustrator come and do. Her. Book signing and our. Shop. And she was like, I drew the photos for I drew the photos, I drew the artwork for all these for this book at the shop, sitting right there at the table right there. And it was so cool. And she signed the book and gave it to my son. And I was. Like, things like like you just don’t think about it. You know, people. Are on their computer in their own little. Own little world, and you try to give them some. Privacy and whatnot.
Sharon Cline: [00:27:52] And but who knew that was even.
Katie Turnage: [00:27:54] Happening, right? I had no. Idea. It was no, I had no idea. It was. Oh, sweet. Yeah. Sean Shandygaff. Yeah, it. Was very, very nice of her. So anyways, little things. Like that that are so cool, like there’s surprises that you don’t. Know are happening, but. It’s like. All happening under the woodwork.
Sharon Cline: [00:28:09] And you’re making, you’re making memories, but you’re currently making memories as kind of a weird way to say.
Katie Turnage: [00:28:14] It. Yes, absolutely. Absolutely. It was just but just for her to, like. Come back and have the signing. At our shop and just kind of full circle there. It was really cool. Yeah.
Sharon Cline: [00:28:24] All right. So here’s a question for you. What would you say is your biggest mistake something that you learned the hard way? Yeah. Gosh. But I.
Katie Turnage: [00:28:34] Don’t like taking things personal to. Personal. Like it’s if like an employee doesn’t do something or like, I’m having a problem. Or they just. Forget, maybe sometimes something’s forgotten to be done of. Like, I’ll just take it. Personally and like, no, that wasn’t done personally. The person didn’t have time. Stuff happens during the day. They got. Busy. It’s not a big deal. And I’ve learned as I’ve kind of matured into this. Role of like. Being able to. Take that. Not take it so personally of like, no, they’re trying their best. You trust that they’re trying your best. Of like. Trust them to do. Their best. Don’t micromanage and don’t. Don’t take it. Personally. It’s not it’s not a thing. I just as a manager. That’s that’s been a hard. As I manage more people and then being able. To, you know. Give someone on off, not pawn off responsibility. You know, to be able to to hand off responsibilities of like it’s not the way I would have. Done it, but at the same time, like I would have never done it like. That. Holy cow, That’s a much better way to do that of like, why was I doing it so much harder. Making it so much harder on myself? And if something’s not done the way. I would do it, that’s okay. That’s okay. It’s not a personal blow of the way you did. It was wrong. Or.
Sharon Cline: [00:29:50] That’s so interesting. I love that you’re talking about that because I don’t think anyone said that on the show before. And I’m trying to apply it very quickly, super fast to my life. And do I do that? You know, do I? Because I do have a certain way I like. Yes. And I just assume that the world is like just like me and that everyone does everything just like me. So but having the perspective that it’s it’s actually has nothing to do with you. It’s actually somebody else’s thought process. That’s when.
Katie Turnage: [00:30:17] I. Communicate. That how I. Wanted it to be done. Effectively. Enough if it wasn’t done that way. And then I look back on it and I’m like, No, I just said. Three words of like, Would you mind go and do this? I don’t need to have. That expectation. That they’re going to. And then sometimes but on the flip side, that sometimes. I do it and it’s like. 50 times better. It’s like, Holy cow.
Sharon Cline: [00:30:39] I just let him go. Let him go? Yes. Letting go in.
Katie Turnage: [00:30:42] And empowering your people of like, Hey. Look, I’m a little stretched thin right now. Of like. And. And nine times out of ten. I’m I’m surprised. Not surprised. I shouldn’t. Say surprise. I am very grateful and humbled that like the way I did, it wasn’t the right way to do it.
Sharon Cline: [00:31:00] Wow. I love that. I’m going to take that for when I’m like, Why did you fold that towel that way to so often?
Katie Turnage: [00:31:06] Oh. No, but it’s true. It’s true. And I don’t know if that’s just as I, like. Mature an age of like being able to.
Sharon Cline: [00:31:14] Know. I’m like twice your age and I still do it.
Katie Turnage: [00:31:18] I’m still working on it, but it’s just something that I’m try I’m learning. I think.
Sharon Cline: [00:31:24] That’s great. You’re trying, right? That’s half the battle or most of the battle, right? So what do you think? What do you think some misconceptions about the coffee industry or your business are?
Katie Turnage: [00:31:33] I think business in general, being a woman owner. I have a lot of. Not much I shouldn’t. Say I have a lot, but I do. It surprises. Me sometimes. How? A lot of. People and. Trying to sell stuff or. Trying to. Get a. Decision out. They immediately. Jump over me and want to talk to my husband. And I’m. Just so shocked that that’s still. A thing of like, No, I’m the owner. How can I help you? What can I you know. But at. That point in time, once. You’ve. Made that assumption, I’m very quick to not. Be as responsive. I just it’s just it’s to me, it’s just so. Surprising that. People are still like that of like. Hey, look, I know I make the. Decisions. I do. Yeah. I mean, I’ll consult him if you want me. To, but that’s because. I want to. That’s not. A a. You don’t need to speak to speak. With the.
Sharon Cline: [00:32:29] Man, is it? Is it a certain age group of men that speak with you like that, or is it just across the board? I’m just curious if that’s sort of an old school misogynistic.
Katie Turnage: [00:32:38] So I thought it was. And it’s not. And it’s actually not just men. It’s females. As well. Which I’m that’s what I’m even more. Shocked about. A lot of times. And a lot of times it’s just sales of. Like, you know, they’re trying to get you on the phone. They’re trying to sell you on something the fastest and they’re trying to and I respect. That. Hustle. I could not I could not I. Respect that hustle. But it’s just. Crazy to me because it’s just like they need to speak with the man to be able to make the decision. And I’m like, He’s not. Going to give you a. Decision.
Sharon Cline: [00:33:03] I’ll get you the decision.
Katie Turnage: [00:33:05] So it’s it’s interesting to me that that’s. Still a school of. Thought. Coffee industry wise. The coffee industry is great. I’m not I don’t have any. We I’m constantly learning. People say that, you know, they want to. Ask if I’m a coffee expert. Absolutely not. I strive to. Be. And every day I learn and someone comes in and asks a different ask for a different drink that I’ve never heard of before. And you’re on Google like. Okay, I’ve made that 17,000 times. Okay. It’s just. Different in a different. Part of the world. Yeah, we’re constantly learning that. But yeah, in the coffee industry, they’ve been great. It’s just I guess it’s a. Female business owner. That’s my biggest. Qualm that. I have at. Certain. Points. So I guess I’m very sensitive to it because you work really. Really hard and. To get where you’re at and I have a. Degree, my husband has a degree in business management as well, and then he’s got his master’s as well. And so we both. Think like minded in that business. Playing field. But it’s just crazy to me that people like, I need to speak with it. Can I speak with your husband? I need to speak with the man. I’m like, okay.
Sharon Cline: [00:34:16] Goodbye. I don’t need what you’re offering me. Yes, Yes. I kind of take him back by that, I guess, because I know this happens and I’ve I’ve heard about it in different ways, but I hadn’t really had someone in the studio really kind of phrase it the way you have. And it’s like it’s kind of hitting me hard. No, it’s perfect because it reflects reality and that that is what happens. So it’s a shame, actually.
Katie Turnage: [00:34:40] And I don’t know if it’s necessarily in the coffee industry. Maybe I’m just experiencing that. I haven’t. Talked to a lot. Of other business female owners within the coffee industry, and that’s my own fault. I need to get out and reach out more and ask, you know, like what? Maybe. Maybe I’m not the only one experiencing that. I know I’m not. But you know, of like. How do they how do they. Respond as well And being able. To constructively. Instead of just saying goodbye?
Sharon Cline: [00:35:06] Well, actually, I think I will add that to one of my questions that I ask female business owners, because I hadn’t really highlighted that very hard just a couple of times.
Katie Turnage: [00:35:14] That it’s very probably a very. Small it’s just one of my.
Sharon Cline: [00:35:18] No, but but it would be defeating to me.
Katie Turnage: [00:35:20] Yes, it is.
Sharon Cline: [00:35:21] It is. I would feel very defeated. It is as it as a default, you know, to think, okay, well, you know, you after everything you’ve done and sacrificed and given and someone not respecting it would I don’t know. I have an.
Katie Turnage: [00:35:35] Attitude. So like I do I would have done so lightheartedly a. Lot of the times that maybe it’s not it’s not understood. How hard it hits, but it hits hard. When you like your pounding and you’re sweating and you’re, you know, grinding out and it’s not. And that’s what they want to focus on. So that’s and that’s okay. I just I need to not let it I need to not let it hit my arm or.
Sharon Cline: [00:35:55] You’re stronger than I am. I’m still reeling. I’m like, processing as you’re speaking. I’m like, how would I feel if someone treated me this way? I wanted to ask you to. So we talk a lot. You were talking about community and how important that is for for where you are. So I love the ways that you are. You check in on each other. But now that you’re through the pandemic, what is it like to see as it’s growing? Because just being I mean, just being there recently, I’m like, where do I park? Like, I am shocked at how busy it was a good thing. It’s like it was encouraging.
Katie Turnage: [00:36:25] It’s one even like something as simple as like our point of sale going down. A lot of us have a similar point of sale system in the downtown area and it’s. Like, you know, it always goes out. When you need it the. Most, like technology.
Sharon Cline: [00:36:34] Yeah.
Katie Turnage: [00:36:34] And so it’s cool. But I’m able to get on a text. Message with a couple of. Other female business owners actually in downtown area and. Say like, Hey, are you. Experiencing this? And then a lot of them are. Like, Yep, you’re able to do this. This, this, and you’re back online or, you know, like. To be able to troubleshoot. That of like you’re not. And then. To be creative of like, Hey, look. You’re down here, but you can also. Do let’s. Process payments over. Here or. It’s just been. I love it. Like the other day I ran out of coffee filters. What Coffee shop runs out of coffee? I counted a box that wasn’t a box. And anyways, and I called. Jill’s down the road and I was like. Jill, hey, can you. Do you have any coffee filters? I’m embarrassed even ask this question. I don’t have a coffee filter right now. And she gave me a whole, like, half a box of them. And then last. Week she ran on coffee filters and I give the, you know, but it’s like just because I sell coffee. In the downtown. She’s like, But it’s like, hey, look, you your game is so strong with. Pastries and baking. I don’t even want to touch that. And you do it so well that like this.
Sharon Cline: [00:37:30] Jokes, cakes and bakes.
Katie Turnage: [00:37:31] Yes. And downtown love them as well And. So there but it’s so cool to be able to text or be like, I’m having a payroll problem here. Who do you use for your payroll processor of Don’t stay clear of this or don’t do this or, you know, like this is the lessons that. I’ve learned And Dominic’s truck and Diane, they’re the same way Miranda down. There. She’s such a hard worker. And she was. Texting me yesterday about. Payroll questions that. We all have. The questions we’re not all. Savvy with technology and all these different platforms and stuff. But it’s like ultimately you want to. Pay your employee, You know what? You don’t want to spend time doing this stuff when you need to be spending time doing others. So it’s cool to be able to reach out. To people and be like, okay. Look. I had the same problem. Here it is. Here’s a solution.
Sharon Cline: [00:38:11] Abc But I got that because that’s like the theme of Fearless Formula is offering words of wisdom for business success. You don’t have to learn the hard way, and it sounds like the energy that you’re putting out there and receiving are the same.
Katie Turnage: [00:38:21] Yes, and I love that. And it’s just a text message. It’s like you don’t have to pick up the phone and like have a 20 minute long conversation and see how you’re. Doing and.
Sharon Cline: [00:38:28] Justify or.
Katie Turnage: [00:38:28] Justify. Yeah, I’m like, Hey, I see you. It’s just like. Hey, look, I need a quick answer. Can you do it? And it’s like just respectful of. Everyone else’s time. And I, I love that. So it’s been cool in the community and down home all around. I can’t say enough. Of it. About it. I wouldn’t be anywhere else. I talk about we have people. That’s another rewarding. Part is. People coming in and asking, you know, when you open up. Your second location or whatever, and to be able to replicate. The team and that area and ball ground and that community. It’s like. I don’t. I don’t see how he can.
Sharon Cline: [00:39:00] Where do you see yourself in five years? Somewhere or ten years somewhere? Do you have a goal like that?
Katie Turnage: [00:39:05] It depends on what you have. As of right now, no. Because I love our city. Our love, our city. I love our area. And I. Love. And so many other cities that are surrounding us. That we would look to. They already have great coffee shops that. It’s like, no, their hustle. They’re like, no.
Sharon Cline: [00:39:25] You’re just in your happy.
Katie Turnage: [00:39:26] I respect that. Yeah. And I have a sweet spot. Yeah. Happy Place is a good team, a good set of people that. Maybe in a different season. Maybe in a different season. The different lanes. Yes, yes, yes. Has done that. So let me change my answer tomorrow. But for right now, no background is home and where it’s hot and. We love our. People down there. So.
Sharon Cline: [00:39:48] Yeah, well, if anyone wanted to come by and see you or contact you, what’s the best way via email?
Katie Turnage: [00:39:54] Barrel house, coffee. Co at gmail.com and or on Facebook or Instagram. Give me. A second. To answer the. Messages, but contact. Us on social. Media too, because that’s a great way for us to have. Content and share and promote. And we absolutely love it when people do that. Our regulars are so creative with. Drink photos and tagging in our location and being outside and taking. Photos of the outside. Location too. So I love all of that. That’s all I see. All of it. And I try to share. As much as I possibly can.
Sharon Cline: [00:40:24] It’s like being loved on in a way.
Katie Turnage: [00:40:25] It is. It is. And it’s a totally different perspective. A lot. Of times on the same drink that you see time and time again and you’re. Like, Oh, that’s that’s so cool. I would’ve never thought about that.
Sharon Cline: [00:40:35] I love that. Well, it’s so excited to see your journey and and continue to I’ll come by and try some Nutella coffee because it sounds too amazing to pass up. Well, thank you so much for coming to the studio. I really appreciate it. Katie, it’s great to meet you.
Katie Turnage: [00:40:50] You’ve been some kind to me and I really appreciate it.
Sharon Cline: [00:40:52] And my goodness.
Katie Turnage: [00:40:52] Giving a platform to. Small business owners, that’s a that’s. Absolutely incredible. So I really appreciate it.
Sharon Cline: [00:40:57] I think it lifts everybody up.
Katie Turnage: [00:40:58] It does. Makes you not feel as alone.
Sharon Cline: [00:41:00] Yeah, I appreciate that. Not no. I’m going to be knocking on the door at six in the morning. Where’s my car?
Katie Turnage: [00:41:05] Yes, we will be there. Will definitely.
Sharon Cline: [00:41:08] Be there. Well, thank you all for listening to Fearless Formula on business radio. And this is Sharon Cline reminding you that with knowledge and understanding, we can all have a fearless formula. Have a great day.
