EVERETT — Christian Kar opened his first drive-up espresso stand in Monroe 14 years ago, just as people were discovering the caffeinated joys of gourmet coffee.
Today, he owns more than a dozen outlets up and down the I-5 corridor, as well as a coffee-bean roasting business. This year, those Everett-based companies — Espresso Connection Gourmet Coffee Bars and Silver Cup Coffee — could see gross revenues of $8 million to $10 million.
Which is just one reason why Kar was presented with the Snohomish County Business Journal’s Executive of the Year Award this week.
An Everett native, Kar, 32, formed Silver Cup, the roasting company, nine years ago to stay competitive in the now-crowded espresso business. He also has concentrated on employee training programs and hiring good managers.
In 2001, Silver Cup won the top honor at McCormick &Schmick’s annual coffee competition in Seattle. And sales last year were up by double digits over 2002, making Silver Cup one of the fastest-growing companies in Washington in 2003.
Kar, who has been featured in Inc. magazine, often is used as an example of how employee training and retention can pay off. In addition to training employees in customer relations, he has raised their pay and added benefits, which was resulted in less turnover.
Kar, who with his wife, Erika, have two adopted children, still is growing his business as well. By year’s end, he hopes to open five new Espresso Connection outlets.
"As an entrepreneur, the tendency is to keep your head down and work the business. We don’t have much time to step back and look at our accomplishments," Kar said when presented with the award at the quarterly meeting of the Snohomish County Economic Development Council. "So it’s nice to be recognized."
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
