Kia Illulian opened Carrera Cafe in September 2016 with the Ripple Maker as a core differentiator. Creating “the intersection of fashion, social media, and coffee,” he and his partners built a photogenic, experiential space where people would have an amazing, Instagrammable experience in the heart of West Hollywood they’d be sure to share online.The strategy has worked.Within a year, they were featured in Vogue.This Monday, Carrera Cafe was featured on KTLA’s LA Unscripted, delighting host Dayna Devon with their beautiful decor and delicious egg sandwiches, and teaching her how to make a latte with “the picture of the person that is the most important to [her] in the entire world” (her dog Violet).When the Ripples team interviewed Kia way back in 2017 he said that getting the Ripple Maker was a “no brainer” and that “you invest a little bit of money and you get a massive return. There’s incredible value in press and branding.”Five years later his marketing strategy and efforts are consistent and strong. And his Ripple Maker is still paying dividends.Watch the video at LA Unscripted.
According to Toast’s 2024 Restaurant Trends Report, independent cafés grew 3.2% year over year, even as major chains struggled to maintain the same momentum. At the same time, the National Coffee Association has continued to report strong coffee consumption across the United States, suggesting demand hasn’t disappeared – it’s shifted. For independent cafés, that’s encouraging
When you step into Pink Dot, one of Thessaloniki’s most recognizable cafés, you immediately feel like it belongs in a fairy tale. From floral walls and oversized pink hearts to elegant Italian teacups and personalized coffees, every detail has been carefully designed to make guests smile before they even take their first sip. For founder
The best marketing idea in your venue right now might come from a guest, not your team. With ‘Design with AI’, Ripples’ new feature in the Ripples Web App for customers with the Advanced Design Plan, guests can describe what they want to see on their drink – whether it’s a birthday message, a funny
