Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaden Parham
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My story starts from the beginning when I was a young boy who spent many mornings with my granddad. He was a coffee addict and quickly taught me how to brew a fresh pot of coffee. From then on, I have been drinking coffee daily, growing in my own experiences of what it means to be a ‘coffee lover.’ My wife and I even met while working as baristas, so coffee has always been a significant part of my life and continues to be.
I, Kaden, took my first barista job in 2019 at Piecewise Coffee Company, where I worked as both a barista and later as GM. There, I began to grasp the full scope of the coffee world, especially the importance of maintaining espresso machines.
When the coffee tech company that we had been working with was absorbed by a larger chain, the owner was gracious and trusting enough to allow me to handle the maintenance myself. With YouTube tutorials and hands-on experience from working on cars, I managed to keep our equipment running smoothly. I discovered my passion for working with machines, which led me to pursue formal training and certifications and eventually start Spro Tech Solutions. In my many years of working in coffee and the restaurant industry, I have seen the challenges owners face in keeping their shops running smoothly. Spro Tech Solutions now helps coffee shops succeed by offering equipment maintenance, staff training, and consulting for new and established shops.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I’d hesitate to say that starting a business is ever a smooth process, but there have definitely been encouraging moments along the way. One of our biggest challenges, aside from marketing and getting the word out, has been the niche nature of the coffee tech industry. Not everyone is familiar with what we do, so educating potential clients on our services has been essential.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
With over 10 years of experience in the restaurant industry and 5 years in the coffee industry, we’ve seen how demanding and stressful running a café can be. Our goal at Spro Tech Solutions is to make life easier for café owners by providing support wherever it’s needed. Whether through maintenance and repair services, staff training, or consulting, Spro Tech’s mission is to help café owners see their dreams flourish. We’re dedicated to offering reliable, knowledgeable service, and we take pride in helping coffee shops thrive with well-maintained equipment and trained teams.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What we love most about Columbia is its growth and effort to improve. Over the past decade, Columbia has evolved with great additions like river walks, new restaurants, and more events each year. Its central location in the state also makes it convenient for work or leisure travel to other areas. My personal frustration with Columbia is my inability to be patient with the change that is coming to the city. I understand there are hoops to jump through, I just wish we could skip the hard parts and just see the growth.
Pricing:
- Maintenance and repairs: $100/hour + parts
- Consulting: $100/hour with 2 hour minimum
- Training: $100/hour with 2 hour minimum
Contact Info:
- Website: https://spro-tech.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sprotechsolutions/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Spro-Tech-Solutions/61561944056467/
