"Business Was Devouring My Life." How the Founder of Coffee Boroda Exited Operations and Increased Revenue by 40%

When Ivan Melnyk opened his first coffee shops, he had a simple desire: to make delicious coffee and create an atmosphere people would want to return to. But by the time the chain grew to 14 locations, it became clear that a far from ideal reality lay behind the perfectly frothed milk. A phone in his hand twenty-four hours a day, calls over every tripped outlet, and the constant anxiety that the business only survived due to his personal presence.

"I realized we were growing not because we knew how to work systematically, but because I simply had the strength to carry everything on my own," Ivan recalls.

Before the Training

On paper, everything looked decent. The team consisted of about 35 people. Two managers performed more nominal functions than real managerial tasks. Turnover was maintained at $70,000 per month. The chain was moving, but every new step was harder than the last.

Ivan honestly admitted to himself that he was no longer ready to scale chaos. He saw how his friend's business operated: clear metrics, calm employees, a transparent organizational structure. And the more he visited his friend's office, the more clearly he felt the contrast. His friend lived the life of an owner, while Ivan lived the life of a firefighter.

"If he could bring his company to order, it means we can too. The question was no longer about money, but about my honor," Ivan confessed.

The decision to undergo training was not easy, as there was almost no free money. But Ivan negotiated quarterly payments and entered the accelerator.

How the Transformation Happened

The training schedule was very intense. Since the coffee shops operate until 10:00 PM, Ivan held many work meetings at night—from 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM. The team gathered in a coworking space while the city slept, and step by step, built a new order.

The main task was for the business to stop relying on one person. A clear structure appeared in the company, the administrative block grew, and a key result was defined for every position. Work began on finances, regular coordinations, and statistics. For the first time in many years, Ivan felt solid ground beneath his feet—and saw that his people could work independently.

"I am no longer a meme with a laptop at sea. I am a director who builds a network, not someone who runs around with a fire extinguisher," Ivan described his feelings.

Results After Training

The effect turned out to be much more significant than Ivan had anticipated.

• The year concluded with a turnover of nearly $979,000, setting a record for the brand's history. Growth amounted to 40% compared to the previous year.
• The team increased to 60 people, with administrative staff growing from 3 to 15 employees, which became a key support for scaling.
• The company moved to a new office, updated its vehicle fleet, reduced the cost of purchases, and for the first time began to consistently pay dividends to the owner.
• New formats, larger premises, and greater ambitions emerged. Ivan became the public face of the chain, speaking at city events, and investors began to show a systematic interest in the company for the first time.
• And most importantly, the business stopped devouring its founder's life. Now Ivan has evenings with his family, weekends without anxiety, and time for strategy, PR, and development.

"I see that we have become a real company. Before, we had a craft-based operation, but now it is a business that can grow indefinitely," Ivan says happily.

What Makes the Case Noteworthy

The story of Coffee Boroda reminds many entrepreneurs of the familiar feeling when a business seems to be growing, but any step forward feels like a leap into the dark. When the team hits a ceiling, and the owner himself becomes that ceiling. When the dream of freedom turns into an endless list of calls and tasks.

This case shows that as soon as a system, structure, and managerial culture appear, growth stops being an accident. It becomes a natural continuation of order that works without chaos and overloads.