New Business Club Co-Curricular takes over Hot Shot Café | Linn-Benton Community College

New Business Club Co-Curricular takes over Hot Shot Café

Hot Shot CafeA new co-curricular program at LBCC is helping business students learn the ins-and-outs of operating a small business.

The Business Club Co-curricular is now managing the Hot Shot Café, a coffee shop on campus which has been in operation since 2003, and previously run by the Student Leadership office to serve as a fundraiser for the LB Lunch Box program.

The Business Department came up with the idea to use the café as a business lab of sorts, offering a unique, real-world experience to prepare students to work in all aspects of running a business.

Students in the Business Club support the day-to-day operations of the Hot Shot, which currently employs a student manager and several student baristas through talent grants. Business faculty Mindy Bean serves as club advisor.

As a co-curricular, the club needs to be tied in some way to education, said Bean.

“There’s a real-world application to the Business Club, and students are gaining hands-on skill sets that will help them down the road,” said Bean. “Co-curricular programs need to connect with our classes, and in this case the classes and projects connect to the Hot Shot Café.”

For example, marketing class students will work on developing a marketing plan for the Hot Shot. Members of the Business Club will then study the plan and decide if they want to implement it.  

Currently, students are researching how to bring a new, more modern look to the café, which could include everything from fresh paint and décor, to new furniture and flooring, said Bean. Students are also working on an inventory management system to help track what the café owns, business costs, and future needs.

Any interested student can participate in the Business club, even if they are unable to attend meetings or are not a business major, said Bean.

The Hot Shot Café serves a variety of coffee drinks along with Italian sodas, tea and other non-coffee beverages. Profits from sales will continue to go to the LB Lunch Box program, which serves students in need by providing free grocery items.

The café is currently open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. during the term, and offers comfortable chairs and tables, Wi-Fi and two computers available for student use. Students are welcome to hang out, enjoy a beverage, do homework, listen to music, or just relax with friends.

For more information on the Business Club Co-curricular or to join, contact club advisor Mindy Bean: beanm@linnbenton.edu

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