Meet Rebekah Weiss | Cafe owner, Attorney, Mom & City Council Member

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rebekah Weiss and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rebekah, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I had two small children and had been working as an attorney off and on part-time for a few years. I found it difficult to balance a legal career, even part-time with young kids. I enjoyed working though, and decided if I was going to work it would be for myself, and doing something that I was much more passionate about than the law.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I am a woman owned and operated speciality breakfast and brunch cafe in Grandview Heights, Ohio. I live, work and play in this community. I am so proud of our delicious, made from scratch biscuits, sausage gravy, quiches and cinnamon rolls. We have a fresh product that isn’t really available anywhere else, and certainly not available with the level of customer care and attention that we provide. We love to partner with other local businesses and I use local products ( our sausage, coffee, hot sauce, etc are all locally made) whenever possible. I love that most of my employees are local high school students, I am proud to offer them a safe and fun and supportive place to work- its usually their first job. My bakery truly is a community focused establishment.

Getting started was a leap of faith for sure. I happen to also be an attorney and that helped eliminate some of the difficulties of the business end of starting a business- finding a contractor, setting up taxes, etc. I had never in my life interviewed or hired and trained people so that was a learning experience! I just completed a 14 week entrepreneurship intensive course at Columbus State Community College and it gave me a lot to work with to help improve and grow this business. I’ve learned to roll with the punches and ride out economic difficulties. I’ve also learned that sometimes the value in the business can be more than just making money, sometimes its more about the people- your employees, your customers, the other businesses you partner with. I get a lot of satisfaction from that, and that’s more important to me than making a ton of money.

We are going to start offering same day online ordering and pick up, as well as delivery in early 2024, so I’m very excited to see how that impacts sales. If all goes well I am going to look into offering a full coffee bar/espresso menu as well in the future, since right now we only have drip coffee, iced and cold brew.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Okay, so let’s pretend they are visiting *right now*, leading up to Christmas. First thing I would do is visit Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo and then head over to Huli Huli- a Tiki bar in Powell the drinks and the tiki fries with Kahlua pork are to DIE FOR. Next, for a more low key hang I’d take them to LandGrant. First, because they have my favorite beers in the city. Second because they have a cool AF winter park set up in their beer garden. I’d probably hit up a Blue Jackets game and visit Natalies in Grandview for some live music. I would never have a friend visit and not go to The Ohio Tap Room, which is my favorite local place to hang out with friend and have a few (Ohio only!) beers.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to thank Tricia Wheeler Chef & Owner of The Seasoned Farmhouse and my Etoile series classmates. Chef Wheeler gave me the inspiration to start my own business and the confidence to do so. My classmates who have now become dear friends have supported me emotionally, physically and financially with the business as volunteers, paying guests, and sounding boards! I wouldn’t have Basic Biscuits Kindness & Coffee without them.

Website: www.getbasicbiscuits.com

Instagram: @basicbiscuitsandcoffee

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/rebekah-w-07709413

Facebook: Basic Biscuits, Kindness & Coffee

Image Credits
Tim Johnson