internship experience

MARKETING

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Rental Space/Special Events

Churches / Non-Proft Campaigning Colleges Student Life Sororities/Greek Life

We currently have regular monthly meeting happening with the space at Uperk.

Our goal is to have 3 regularly scheduled events weekly. This is an 30% increase over current and this involves expanding awareness to local community businesses and non-profits within the Tuscaloosa area through network connections and face to face introductions as well as cold calling.

Other Marketing Initiatives

COMMUNITY CULTIVATING CHANGE THROUGH

CHRIST'S LOVE FOR ALL

Prepared by: Caroline Ford, Executive Director

YEAR END 2022

WHAT'S PERCOLATING?

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UPerk's Coffee Minute Grinding Down The Beans Sales Marketing

UPERK COFFEE MINUTE

What a year!

The power of Uperk is truly astounding.

From the sweet sound of the pppssshhhh of creamy milk being steamed, the unmistakable smell of a fresh shot of expresso being pulled, the greeting of a smile from the days first eager customer, the kind banter between team members that sometimes, yes sometimes ends in a life changing experience.

Uperk has a lasting touch. I know it, because I've had the personal pleasure of feeling it.

Faith and coffee coming together.

It's truly a beautiful combination.

A much needed and worthy combination.

And we're making progress, I feel that too.

It's slow and steady progress that is also lasting and for me, in my role, it's the kind of progress that makes me proud each day to serve lead in this community, our customers and our team members.

It's been said, be the reason someone feels welcomed, seen, heard, valued and loved. I believe Uperk is that place.

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UPerk is proudly becoming a safe place for University of Alabama Students to find reliable work away from home.

Our team members refer to the culture as 'feeling like family' and have demonstrated a strong desire to return to work at the start of the fall season. In total we hired 6 amount of new team members in 2022 replacing graduating students.

Here are what some of our team members have to say about working at UPERK:

I’m so grateful to be apart of a wonderful team!! Working at UPerk has been a highlight of my semester.

Thank you Caroline!! So thankful for my uperk family and I hope you also have a great thanksgiving!

So grateful to be a part of such a great place!

GRINDING DOWN THE BEANS

Between a combinaton of resourcefulness and reduction of food costs UPERK has continued to show a slowing trend in costs.

For example, choosing to stock supplier brands vs commercial brands (Sysco vs Frito Lay Brand Chips) creates a cost savings opportunity that we've undertaken.

Further opportunities will be creating efficiencies in labour through additional training in an effort to streamline processes.

Employee Retention

Cost Reduction

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Painted bench form dark grey to cream Painted menu wall from black to mint green Painted back wall from black to cream Purchased 2nd hand espresso machine with steaming capabilities Added fresh flowers with weekly bible versus

The transformation of the interanl physical space has come from a desire to lighten, brighten from the perspective of creating a space that is uplifitng and welcoming.

The color palette chosen coincides with the changes we're making to website and marketing materials including social media pages.

Here is a synopsis of some of the changes we've made:

Moving forward we are working towards creating an art wall for local artists to feature their work.

GRINDING DOWN THE BEANS

BAKE SALE FOR A CAUSE

Physical Space

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SALES

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In 2022 we saw sales returning to a pre-pandemic norm. It was also the year we halted the acceptance of 'dining dollars' which historically has accounted for approximately 15% of Uperk's sales and battled increased competition in the community, including the opening of a new bakery in the space beside Uperk.

In short, 2022 was a year of transition for Uperk on many levels. With a good solid foundation in place for team members, the physical space lighter and more welcoming, the focus now shifts with greater intensity towards 2023 to sales and marketing.

2023 Sales Goals:

Avg. Daily $600 Avg. Weekly $4200 Avg. Monthly $16,800 Avg. Annual $201,600

Attached to this commitment is a comprehensive marketing plan that has me jointly expanding my sales and marketing efforts and receiving the ongoing support of the ministry. Also, having the time to prospect outside of the shop.

MARKETING

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Website

Part of the transition of the physical space at Uperk has been in conjunction with freshening the branding, including the website.

In the past month we've made tremendous strides in finalizing this initiative. Design of the new website is currently in the final stages. This new website is being built on a wordpress platform under a DIVI template and comes complete with new images, new copy and a new color scheme.

This new format will make the website easier to be kept updated as necessary, keeping it fresh, relevant and streamlined to the needs of the business. It will further clarify our identity and footprint within the Tuscaloosa community.

MARKETING

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Social Media

Our instagram account has been and continues to be a source of opportunity for positioning within the Tuscaloosa community.

In the past 12 months our viewership has increased over 10000%.

With a more sales focussed approach to our Social Media, the goal is to turn viewership into followers, engagement and foot traffic.

Recently we've began engaging with influential customers in an effort to build ambassador-like relationships. This collaboration involves commitments to sharing posts about Uperk in exchange for a free coffee.

Having created the QR code displayed above, the goal would be to have this prominently displayed both in the coffee shop at the cash register as well as in the weekly Church Bulletin. Having the QR Code present in the Church Bulletin also reminds Church Members of Uperk's presence.