Meet Catherine Basilone | Owner

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

Hi Catherine, what do you attribute your success to?
The most important factor behind the success of Byte and Coffee is our commitment to creating a genuine community connection. We’ve built a brand that delivers high-quality food offerings and beverages. We have tried to create experiences that resonate with people’s lifestyles — combining family style atmosphere, familiar food and sweets and the comfort of a great cup of coffee over conversation. Our focus on authenticity, customer-first thinking, and staying adaptable in a fast-changing world has allowed us to grow organically and earn the trust of our community. At the core, it’s our passion for excellence and the people we serve that drive everything we do.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Both my partner and I have had long and varied careers that have definitely contributed to our outlook on business and creating our brand. I have worked in the pharmaceutical industry starting as a research scientist and ending this segment of my career as a Business Change Manager working on a global change project. I have taught leadership and organizational behavior at university and completed both my MBA and a Law Degree. I have also worked as a personal injury lawyer in Australia. My Partner has worked in the IT sector, including cybersecurity and includes running our IT Business consulting firm in Australia. This has provided us with a broad outlook on business and has helped us formulate our brand and enabled us to navigate the need for continuous improvement and the ability to pivot to address customer needs.

The most important lesson is to listen to what the customer wants but to always remember what your brand is and to stay in your lane. Trying to be everything to everyone never works.

The most important thing about our brand is that we pride ourselves on being who we are..our Australian culture and the love we have for what we bring to our customers.

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.
Friend visit for four days

Start your day with a stroll along Fort Lauderdale Beach, enjoying the iconic wave wall and palm-lined promenade.
Then explore Las Olas Boulevard, known for its eclectic mix of boutiques, art galleries, and cafes. Stop at Ann’s Florist & Coffee Bar for a unique floral-themed café experience. Once finished at the cafe, visit Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, a historic estate offering insights into early 20th-century life amidst lush gardens and finish the
evening at Coconuts, a waterfront restaurant popular for its seafood and views of the Intracoastal Waterway.

Take a water taxi from Nauti Dawg to show why Fort Lauderdale is dubbed the “Venice of America,” cruising past mansions and yachts along the canals.

Followed by the Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment District, home to attractions like the Museum of Discovery and Science and the NSU Art Museum.

After a busy morning a leisurely trip to Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, where we can explore nature trails, canoeing, and a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle.

Complete the day with dinner at Greek Islands Taverna, a local favorite known for its authentic Greek cuisine

Start the day exploring Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, a charming beach town perfect for snorkeling and enjoying a relaxed coastal vibe showing friends why Florida is the best state.
For a change of pace go to the Swap Shop, an 88-acre flea market featuring a free Ferrari Museum and carnival-style attractions.
If they happy to continue with not much rest a trip to Flagler Village, an artsy neighborhood with galleries, murals, and unique eateries
Conclude with a visit to The Wharf on Las Olas Boulevard in the evening to experience lively open-air venue with food trucks, live music, and riverside views
Breakfast at Byte and Coffee, meeting the locals and enjoying some light banter with expat Aussies who are happy to talk about their experiences in Florida.

Quick trip up I-95 which is always an adventure and dropping them of f at Fort Lauderdale Airport, wishing them happy return trip

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
We have been blessed to have the support of our local community and the expat community who have come out to support us from day 1. We are also thankful for our staff, who continue to bring our vision to life everyday. Of course we have the support of our family and friend who continue to encourage us to keep going on those bumpy challenging days.

Website: https://bytencoffee.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bytencoffee/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/byteandcoffee/

Image Credits
Heather Marie @houseofpearl.co