Kia Illulian was so intrigued with Ripples technology that he opened a cafe with Ripples as his core differentiator. He explains that for him, it was a “no brainer”, and that the opportunities for branding and creating a unique and personal customer experience were simply not to be missed. He was right.
According to Kia, coffee drinkers and foodies in Los Angeles are used to seeing things that are really cool, hip and trendsetting. Kia knew that using the Ripple Maker technology to create personalized beverages would be the thing to surpass his coffee drinkers’ expectations. Word quickly spread that you can print a custom picture or message on top of a latte, iced or hot and “people started coming in droves to visit us”, says Kia. One regular customer at Carrera even started asking his clients to meet him there, knowing she’d be able to surprise them with a custom print based on whatever project they were working on. From birthdays to Mothers and Fathers day, to baby announcements and bridal showers, customers are finding their own unique ways to personalize their experience.During their first six months of business, Carrera was giving out customized Ripples for free, but they soon realized it was an easy way to monetize as a modifier that can be offered as an option. Charging a dollar extra for the Ripple print still provides a fair value to customers but helps cover the costs, while making extra money. Kia Illulian explains that to him, “You invest a little bit of money and you get a massive return. There’s incredible value in press and branding”. Carrera has now been internationally recognized because of their unique Ripples experience and coffee. Kia knows that providing Ripples has made Carerra Cafe a hotspot not to be missed, and has provided a competitive edge against other cafes in the neighborhood.The goal at Carerra Cafe was to grow a consistent customer base while continually gaining new clientele. By using Ripples to increasingly change and create new content and images, Kia says, “I think our customers are looking forward to what the new content is, and those people that wouldn’t normally come back as often, end up coming sooner because they want to see what we have to offer”. He also notes that clients are eager to bring their friends and family to Carrera to show them what they can do. Ripples has increased the return rate exponentially. Kia now finds his customers and coffee all over Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat and has grown his presence on social media through content marketing all thanks to their shares and reposts. “We’ve created an online presence that is very unique and people look to see what kind of trends that we’re setting.” He adds that “It’s also word of mouth, it is such a unique option that we can provide here and people are sharing that”.Numbers to date:When Carerra Cafe started they were printing about 50 to 100 but that quickly grew to more than 2,000 Ripples designs a month.
Carerra Cafe has almost 50k followers on Instagram and their own unique hashtag for customers to post their coffee pictures. #HELLO
Almost 350 reviews on Yelp with a 4 star average. Almost every review specifically has a photo showing Ripples printed coffee, and specifically mentions Ripples or using the Ripples app.
For Gen Z and the growing number of environmentally conscious consumers, it’s a requirement and they choose brands that match their values. Ethical sourcing, zero-waste practices, carbon-conscious operations, and real transparency are non-negotiables. Here’s how to set achievable sustainability goals that make a real difference to your customers, your bottom line, and the planet.
At Netflix Bites in Las Vegas, the cocktails are more than just cocktails. This themed restaurant within the MGM Grand has been curated to immerse guests into the world of their favorite Netflix Shows, and the cocktails are part of that story, designed to tap into the drama and the narrative of the shows that
Make your next event stand out with custom printed macarons! Perfect for weddings, corporate gatherings, and banquets, these personalized treats enhance branding, engagement, and social media reach. See how a dessert printing machine makes it simple.
Whether you’re scaling up or just starting out, see how cafes and bakeries use the Ripple Maker coffee printer to attract crowds, stay ahead of trends, and grow their brand.
SKIMS pop-up café at Selfridges
No one understands the power of social media marketing quite like the Kardashians. Recently, Kim Kardashian West’s famous shapewear line, SKIMS, launched in the UK and became exclusively available at high-end department store chain Selfridges. As part of the festive virtual event, the Instagram leader chose to celebrate the brand using the Ripples Maker. The ... Read more
Doutor Coffee Farm is a buzzy new, “high-class Doutor” location in Tokyo, Japan. It’s leaped beyond convenience-style coffee stations or diner coffee to third-wave specialty coffee service. We had the opportunity to speak to Ms. Kabe from the New Business Development department at the head office along with Store Manager Ms. Uchida about their Ripples ... Read more
When we met Justine and Nicolas Cascales, the French couple behind the Yaoz Frozen Yogurt & Coffee Shop franchise, we immediately knew they were kindred spirits and a perfect match for Ripples – innovative, entrepreneurial, and incredibly creative. A Complete MatchAfter trying frozen yogurt abroad the couple developed their own natural recipe and brought the ... Read more
Kia Illulian was so intrigued with Ripples technology that he opened a cafe with Ripples as his core differentiator. He explains that for him, it was a “no brainer”, and that the opportunities for branding and creating a unique and personal customer experience were simply not to be missed. He was right. According to Kia, ... Read more
