Leslie Bromley finishes making a delivery of coffee and muffins to a clients meeting. Shes a bit tired as she sits down to an interview, but her smile says volumes about how pleased she is with her work. Bromley has owned the Gourmet Cup for several years now, and recently expanded her product lines to include new lines of giftware to catering for meetings and special events.

"I knew what I was getting into when I bought the store," she says with an infectious smile, "I had no idea what I was getting into when it came to bookkeeping."

She laughs at this last remark, adding that to be a successful entrepreneur, a person has to know what theyre good at, before they can start selling anything.

The Gourmet Cup has become a mainstay in the downtown core, largely because many office workers consider it a necessary stop before and during the work day. Every morning, just before ten, theres a steady stream of loyal customers, ordering everything from regular coffee, to flavoured coffee and lattes. For the regulars, there is the feeling the staff here know what they want, almost as soon as they show up. Its that kind of familiarity that gives Bromley a sense of satisfaction.

"I enjoy what Im doing. We have a lot of good products, and my staff enjoy what theyre doing."

If there is a secret to her business success, it is the simplicity of what she offers that ensures her long-term survival. Coffee, hot chocolate, espresso, capuccino, muffins, cookies, fruit trays, veggie trays, soups and sandwiches are always on the menu. But its what she offers next month and the month afterwards, that tantalizes and seduces the unwary.

"These days, were offering different kinds of tea to our customers. More and more people are turning to tea and theyre more willing to try something different So we have to be in tune with their changing needs."

For entrepreneurs like Bromley, knowing she can start the day by helping others get through theirs, is satisfaction money cant buy.