Opening a coffee shop. It sounds a dream. A straightforward business that makes easy money, isn't burdened with much regulation and operates pretty much stress free.

Those assumptions couldn't be further from the truth says coffee shop owner Orla Smyth. She opened up the Scandinavian inspired Kaffe O on the Ormeau Road two years ago.

The former corporate lawyer admits before starting she hadn't a clue about selling coffee. "I may have known a lot about business and the law of business but actually being operational was not my strong point." She said despite having prepared thoroughly, engaging in business planing and budgeting, nothing prepared her for the actual experience of opening the doors on the first day and dealing with the customers.

Orla who has already opened up another Kaffe O, this time in Botanic Avenue, points out that some of the outgoings in her industry are excessive. She can't understand why the rates in her second shop are three times those on her first when she isn't doing three times the business.

She says while her shops are doing well, running them is a 24/7 responsibility. Furthermore new owners have to be mentally geared for the long haul.

Kaffe O's distinctive atmosphere fits in with Colin Neill's belief that locally owned coffee shops should aim to offer something different from the national chains. The Chief Executive of Hospitality Ulster says they need to stand out to attract customers.

Colin says there are many options for the prospective business operator. They can kit out their coffee shop with brand new furniture or go shabby chic, sourcing what they need from auctions. The expensive barista machine can be leased rather than bought outright. But no matter how low cost your operation, it will require an outlay of a few thousand on such things as recruitment.

The critical ingredient for success he says is enthusiasm. "If you've got passion, you'll find the money and drive the business."

Despite coffee shops having sprung up all over the place, Colin says there's scope for new establishments as more people choose to have their cuppa outside the home. And reassuringly he says research indicates the industry should grow over the next ten years.

Start-up:

This week pitching his idea is student David Hatton. David was inspired to come up with a web-based tool after his grandmother succumbed to dementia. "Hindsight" uses reminiscence therapy to stimulate patient's memory and assist with everyday tasks and personal interaction. David was the winner of the 2016 Connect Young Founders Competition run by the Science Park. You can listen in to his idea to see how it works in practise.