Business & Tech

Secret to Businessman’s Success: 10-Plus Espresso Shots a Day

Coffee Trader's Terry Carter, 70, also says customer service is a key to business survival.

The key to a successful restaurant is customer service—and perhaps 10 espresso shots a day.

Terry Carter, 70, is the owner of Terry’s Coffee Trader in Historic Downtown Murrieta. And, he’s a one-man shop.

Carter, who has been in the coffee business for 35-plus years, wakes up at 2:45 a.m. daily and works 80 hours a week.

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His secret could be that he drinks a minimum of 10 espresso shots a day—a Colombian grind being his preference.

The longtime Murrieta resident and owner of four dogs said he found success because of his customer service skills.

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“I can go into any restaurant and tell you how long they’ll survive based on the customer service,” he said.


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