The Troubleshooter Goes to Hit the Jackpot at Bakeries and Coffee Shops

Busan City Operates 'Visiting Small Business Problem Solvers'
Two Industry Experts Visit 14 Locations to Provide Management Know-How Support

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] A project where "problem solvers" who pass on startup know-how and operational secrets visit small business owners is starting in Busan. In the current economy, where the equation "startup = failure" is common, attention is focused on what results Busan City will achieve.

Busan City announced on the 10th that it will implement the "Small Business Industry Problem Solver Support Project," where experts pass on startup and business know-how, aiming to revitalize the local economy by supporting small business owners struggling due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The Small Business Industry Problem Solver Support Project is a program where local experts who have succeeded in one field visit other small business owners who lack experience and operate small-scale businesses to directly pass on successful know-how.

The city selected two pilot industries with many small business owners, high startup and closure rates, and where know-how transfer is possible: bakeries and coffee shops. Until the 24th, it plans to recruit seven small business owners per industry for support.

The experts passing on know-how are Master Lee Heung-yong, designated as a Korean Master Baker, and Barista Jeon Ju-yeon, the first Korean to win the World Barista Championship (WBC).

Master Lee rose from a bakery part-timer to a Korean Master Baker in 30 years, and Barista Jeon is a legendary figure who grew from a coffee shop converted from a 4-pyeong warehouse to become Busan’s representative coffee shop and the world’s top barista. They are experts who not only have professional knowledge of their industries but also understand the problems and development directions of small business owners well.

Along with passing on know-how, the city plans to create a solution booklet documenting common problems and solutions encountered while supporting 14 locations. A local independent publisher will participate in producing the booklet, which will include stories about the region’s famous bread and coffee, making it enjoyable for tourists visiting the area, and efforts will be made to promote it.

Byun Sung-wan, Acting Mayor of Busan, said, “Small business owners have short preparation periods for startups and often run their businesses alone, so they may not realize many problems. A small piece of advice from experts can be a great help. We hope that not only the selected small local bakeries and coffee shops but the entire industry will gain competitiveness and grow.”

Small business owners in the bakery and coffee shop industries who wish to participate in this project can inquire through the Busan Small Business Hope Center website or the executing agency, Busan Economic Promotion Agency.