With the explosion in coffee houses around the world (and especially the US) in the past decade, it comes as little surprise that coffee fanaticism has made the jump to the online world. Barista Connection is not just any coffee lover’s site, however; this is a social network devoted to individuals in the specialist coffee industry.
Members include actual baristas, as well as coffee shop owners and specialist suppliers from around the world. The site displays upcoming coffee-related events, news stories, and a forum (“Has anyone ever pulled an espresso shot using single origin Kenya Peaberry?”). There are also videos and a collection of photos.
Baristaconnection.com In Their Own Words
“Our goal is to connect the many layers of the specialty coffee industry, provide information and tools to advance the craft of the barista and create a place where you can voice your opinion.”
Why Baristaconnection.com It Might Be A Killer
Barista Connection is a great example of a social networking site serving a specific community. It gives those within the industry a forum to share news and ideas, suppliers and advertisers have access to the specific group, and individuals that work within the industry can network and potentially search for other jobs within the community.
Some Questions About Baristaconnection.com
At an individual level, there is still more focus on the social, rather than business, aspect of coffee. This doesn’t present a problem in and of itself, but because the social network is rooted in a commercial industry, it presents many opportunities to expand business ties (job searches, increased supplier interaction, etc). 
