Sounds like most people are jumping on the "it's not the idea, it's the execution" bandwagon. However, there is a link between popularity and execution. The more popularity you have, the more resource you have; the more resources you have, the more options of execution you can choose from.
When the OP mentioned network, exposure, money, etc that's all part of the resources which Caterina has. Even if the coffeeshopers have a wonderful idea and a great game plan of execution, the lack of resource may not permit that game plan to be played out.
It's similar to the Jeremy Lin conundrum -- despite all his talent, it wasn't until Knicks got desperate and took a gamble that Jeremy had a chance to shine (translation: Knicks and Jeremy both got lucky).
It's true that idea and celebrity status is not the answer to all problems. However, to say that it doesn't give you a giant upper hand would be lying to oneself, and that's probably the worst thing an entrepreneur can do.
