Today we’d like to introduce you to Chauntel & Keith Ingalls Techno Cafe.
Hi Chauntel & Keith Ingalls , we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Keith – We started in the coffee business in the 90s with coffee bean; flavoring, blending and packaging in the wholesale sector. In the early 2000’s, we sold our coffee business and purchased one of our largest accounts, which was a deli and convenience store inside a medical center. We were open 24/7 offering both fresh food and beverages. We continued 24/7 service all the way through Covid. Months after Covid, we continued to have a very limited staff and we had to close at 11 PM. With that change, the hospital asked what we could provide a speciality coffee in the overnight hours that could be unattended. That was the birth of Techno Cafè.
Through our journey of working out the business model, we believed this could be a great solution to medical centers, universities, etc. that need a premium coffee shop that’s unattended during the overnight hours. Our 30+ years of ownership of coffee and convenience stores, combined with using one of the industry’s premium espresso machines and technology of a self-pay system, allows us to provide “a unique espresso experience” any time, all day, every day.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Keith –
There’s always challenges when starting a new business. The biggest challenge we’ve faced is; bankers, attorneys, accountants, insurance companies all think it’s a genius idea, but they aren’t sure what to do with us since they’ve not seen anything like this before. LOL.
We’ve been impressed with Techno Café, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Keith –
Our tag line is “A Unique Espresso Experience” and that’s exactly what Techno Cafe is. You’re intriguedfFrom the first glance, the ease of ordering, the way your espresso beverage is made and delivered by our robotic. Then you experience the incredible taste of our tried and tested recipe and it leaves you wanting more.
Our business is to bring the solution to what every medical center and 24/7 business struggles with, a great premium cup of coffee that can be provided all day, all night, seven days a week. We particularly have a passion for the nurses and doctors in the medical centers as they were our client base for 20 years. We have a direct understanding of what they have to face when they work the overnight hours.
In creating our business plan, it was important for us to drive the quality and sophistication of our brand so we based our headquarters in Rock Hill, SC where we’ve called home the last 15 years and opened an elegant and eclectic coffee shop. It’s located at University Center, a revival of the historic ±23-acre Rock Hill Printing & Finishing Company (“The Bleachery”) and a mixed-use development. Our address is befitting our company name; Techno Café at 300 Technology Center Way, Rock Hill, SC. The coffee shop doubles as a showroom for customers to see and experience Techno Cafe first hand.
I believe we are known for our quality. When people actually try the product, they are shocked how good it is and that’s what keeps them coming back. Yes, it’s a great show with the robotics, but after they try the product, they become regular customers. That’s what I believe sets us apart. Quality matters.
I have to say I am most proud of Chauntel. She has put so much energy and passion into the brand itself. It is critically important to her that this brand stands out as a company that people can depend on for reliability and quality. We would like people to know that we care very deeply for our customers, we love coffee and we know there are many other people who do as well so providing a consistent, top-quality product, time after time, is very important and we know how much people depend on that consistency.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Keith – Honestly, I was not an easy child. I did not sit still well no matter where I was; in a car, in a classroom. I always had to be on the go. My interests were always sports first, but I loved to work and worked 40 to 50 hours a week all through college.
Chauntel – I was born in California. At 13 my family moved to a gentleman’s farm in Vermont. I went from growing up in a city to helping raise and take care of chickens, goats and pigs. Vermont is a beautiful place to live and afforded many opportunities a small town can provide. I was involved in sports, musicals, arts and interior design and event planning. My professional background is a court stenographer. I’ve been a dreamer and an entrepreneur. Two years after college, I purchased my first court reporting firm and acquired two more. Upon meeting my husband, we started a coffee business in the early 90’s. The coffee world was completely different then. After selling our coffee business, we purchased a deli, market and catering business that we owned and operated for 20 years and were open 24/7. In 2010, we wanted to experience a little more city life and warmer climate. What was intended to be a one-year experience has now turned into 15. My passions are; family time, event planning, interior design, community and serving on local boards.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.technocafe.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/technocafe.us?igsh=a2hqY2wzZjI3ZDN4&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/178Nqvdp8f/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
