Brand consistency is a superpower.

It’s the magic that keeps customers coming back, and let me tell you—CJs has it in the BAG! 🛍️ Every single branch I’ve visited delivers the same level of excellence: the service, the smiles, and most importantly, the coffee—consistently amazing.

(Disclaimer: They did NOT pay me to say this. I’m just a coffee enthusiast with opinions!)

Now, here’s the flip side. One of my biggest pet peeves, especially as someone who loves hopping from one coffee shop to another, is the lack of consistency.

The pattern is almost predictable: the first visit is AMAZING. Smiles are free, the food presentation is 5-star, and you leave thinking, “This is it, my new spot!” Yaani, first impressions are immaculate. 👌🏾

But hapa ndio shida huanza. The second visit? Eeeh, not so much. Let me give you an example: Viewpoint (Pale Embu).

My first time there in February was unforgettable! The waitress was a gem—super attentive and sweet. She even ensured my pancakes (okay, crepes) were egg-free, so I could enjoy them worry-free. Presentation? A+! Impeccable. I left thinking, “I’ve found the one.”

Then came visit two... yooo! It was like I’d entered a completely different establishment. After waiting 30 minutes (yep, I timed it), I had to track down a waitress. The interaction went like this:

Me: Can I have pancakes without eggs?

Waitress: Basi hiyo si pancakes

Me: Is it possible to get them made that way?

Waitress (begrudgingly): I’ll ask the chef kama wanaweza.

What I got? Totally different from my first visit. But because I believe in second chances (and third charms), I went back. Let’s just say… charm was nowhere to be found. 😅

This isn’t just about coffee shops, though—it’s a wider issue across industries. Consistency is what keeps your customers coming back. Without it, you risk turning loyal customers into one-time visitors.

So here’s my takeaway: if you want to build a strong brand, make sure the experience is consistently great—not just for first-timers, but for every customer, every time.

Let’s talk about it—how does your business stay consistent? Or have you had a similar “first amazing, second meh” experience? Let’s share stories!

Coffee Review #BlackGoldCafè

 

The NEED to try out coffee has taken me to some wild places—hidden gems, world-famous cafés, and everything in between. I’m constantly amazed at how Kahawa has this way of leveling the playing field.

Now, here’s a fact for you: the base of ALL (yes, ALL) coffee is ESPRESSO. This little powerhouse is coffee brewed under intense pressure, and when done right, it doesn’t even need sugar. Aki, it’s the kind of brew that demands your attention—smooth as it goes down, leaving your taste buds craving more. But here’s the thing, like a perfect dancer, a well-balanced espresso knows when to take a bow and exit the stage gracefully. Memorable, oh so memorable.

Coffee? Anyone?

And that’s exactly what I got at @BlackGoldCafè. My goodness! Just when I thought my coffee adventures couldn’t surprise me anymore—BAM! They did. Their house coffee, a filter coffee, was pure magic. Black Magic, if you will. From the first sip to the last drop, it was a journey.

Now, about the service... mhh. You know how some places have this vibe? That little aloofness you expect at such establishments? Well, the waiter was nice—no lies—but there’s this kasomething that just feels, you know, eeeh. Like, is the niceness genuine, or is it part of the JD? 🤔 But hey, let’s focus on what matters: the Kahawa, not the watu.