Caffeine and Chaos
What No One Tells You About Running a Coffee Business (But We Will, Over a Strong Cup)
Let’s be honest: running a small coffee business is a little like trying to brew espresso while riding a rollercoaster—with one hand, in the rain, blindfolded… during tax season.
When we first dreamed of roasting specialty beans and slinging lattes from our charming little trailer, we had visions of sunlit markets, loyal customers, and the comforting hum of a burr grinder in the background. And yes, we do get those moments. But more often than not, running this business feels like learning 17 new jobs at once while constantly wondering, “Is this normal?”
The Sweet (but Occasionally Bitter) Reality
We roast our own beans in small batches—curated for peak flavor, freshness, and quality. We ship them to coffee lovers across the country. We pull espresso shots in a converted trailer, parked at markets, events, and the occasional muddy field. Sounds romantic, right?
Here’s what Instagram doesn’t show:
Waking up at 4:30 AM to prep for a farmers' market that gets rained out by 7:00.
Spending hours dialing in a roast profile, only for the power to blink mid-roast.
Realizing you’ve forgotten to order cups. Again.
Swinging from record-high sales on Saturday to literal zero dollars on Monday.
Driving 45 minutes to an event only to realize… you forgot milk.
The highs? Electric. The lows? Existential. And we wouldn't trade it for anything.
Business Plan? More Like Business Panic.
We were woefully unprepared for how much of this would involve things like spreadsheets, permits, repair calls, social media algorithms, and emergency plumbing. You think you’re getting into coffee because you love craft and community—but suddenly you’re also the accountant, mechanic, janitor, and marketing department.
The truth is: we’ve learned everything on the fly. And we’re still learning. (Like: never trust a new event without scouting the power hookup. Or: you will spill 5 gallons of cold brew at some point. Just accept it.)
But Then—Magic Happens
In between the chaos, there are moments of absolute magic:
Watching a regular customer introduce their friends to your beans.
Seeing someone light up after tasting your coffee for the first time.
Brewing under the sunrise at a market and feeling like you're exactly where you're supposed to be.
These moments remind us why we do this. It’s not just about coffee—it’s about connection, craft, hustle, and heart. It’s about turning a passion into something that fuels not just us, but our community.
So If You’re Thinking of Starting a Coffee Business...
Do it. But also know:
You won’t have it all figured out.
You’ll feel like giving up sometimes.
You’ll need to ask for help (a lot).
And that’s okay.
You’ll also meet the best people. You’ll learn more than any book could teach you. And you’ll drink some truly excellent coffee along the way.
Thanks for supporting this wild little dream of ours—whether you’re sipping our beans at home or stopping by the trailer for a latte and a chat. We’re still learning, growing, and grinding (literally), but we’re in it for the long haul.
Stay caffeinated.
