The schemer returns
Anyone who has read this blog for more than a minute will have realised that the author is a bit of a mad schemer.
Well, finally I have something concrete to report. Last night we purchased a coffee cart.
We haven't quite worked out the logistics of the thing. No idea where we'll plonk it, or what the council requires for you to plonk it anywhere.
We haven't got a business name, accountant or a business plan.
We need to suss out a good coffee supplier.
We need a small generator and a towbar.
We're very excited.
We welcome ideas.
19 comments:
Holy moly talk about jumpimg in the deep end - WELL DONE! We've an accounting business so if you have any questions just sing out...
Only about a million questions! Can you recommend someone down here? Or would you like to be our accountant from there? we're very keen to do all the tricky LLQC stuff. My last business we didn't even make pay for the car, home office, nothing - so we need to do this one right!
Just sent you an email...
Good work! That is exciting. I look forward to hearing more.
Mr Reasonable and I will be queuing up (subject to location, of course)!
Indeed we will! I am a sad addict in that I will walk past several cafes to get to the best cup, even in the rain....
How about a coffee club where you pre-sell 10,20,30+ cups in advance at a discount.....
Hey thanks you all. Not sure where we'll be parked at this stage - but I'm happy to sell pre-sell tickets at this stage and you can hope we locate ourselves centrally... Not really. However, a loyalty card system will be in place.
Today I have spoken to one coffee supplier and one accountant (thanks Brena). Glen and I are still trying to come up with a company name. If it has taken a day for this, imagine how long it will take us to come up with a business name.
Whoa! That's so cool. Are you talking with Havana coffee? They're the best. No question. They, or whatever lesser supplier you go with, should be able to help with a lot of logistical info.
You'll need health certification thingeys from whichever council in whose patch you end up plus some sort of street seller's licence, unless you can find someone with a spare bit of land on which to park.
Might be worth your while to form a company, to insulate you from a bit of personal liability just in case things aren't sweet, financially. Its dead cheap and dead easy, all done online through the MED website.
How about "Porn Star Bucks"?
lamingtons are a brilliant idea for a coffe cart, you should match it kitchy-cool so hot right now. Just make sure you park it where people go on their way to work - or uni - uni students drink lot of coffee ( i should know, i am one) if you have any barista questionies that is what I do for monies, but whomever you get coffee from will train you up.
I love the name Porn Star Bucks, and there has been much giggling.
Thanks for all your suggestions. Our fave coffee company is Ripe - they're local roasters. We have to see how much they want a fairly up in the air organisationg seelign their product!
I have been on the blower to the council this am. Interesting trivia for you all - all the coffee carts in town are on private property except the pie cart and a city stop.
Anyhow - on with the research.
"Strong and Black". With an appropriate logo.
I've always wondered about the economics of coffee carts. Coffee itself seems cheap enough for a big fat margin, but there must be a lot of other costs... keep us posted.
Another vote for Supreme, which I always buy whenever I visit Wellington. I also have a lot of time for Emporio, L'Affare, and Fuel, although I guess you may have some trouble sourcing Fuel beans for your competing cart :) I've never had any success at home with the Havana blends, even though I like their coffee when I buy espresso from a cafe. Still, since most of your clientele will be drinking that foul milky stuff, it probably doesn't matter which coffee you chose.
[fx] cowardly running feet receding into the distance...
PS: the presale idea is bloody brilliant, Mr Reasonable. Nothing like cash upfront when you're starting a business. Make 10 trip tickets like the bus ones and clip them with a bus ticket clipper. Great branding opportunity also.
Wow, fantastic - definitely a great idea - caffeine is the drug to push in my opinion!
So, will you be able to get a civil union with your soy decaf latte?
Ah ha, we did think of Long Black - with an appropriate logo.
I feel like you get better value for money with a milky coffee... black is so basic (likewise - cowardly, milk drinking feet running).
And Em, the one stop shop has also been discussed. Free soy lattes for the bride and bride.
Don't suppose you are going to locate in the CBD, nr Featherston Street maybe.....I would walk a long way for primo java but Petone is pushing my lunch hour a bit....but if Lamingtons are involved, hmmmm, maybe I could buy a bike or something.
We weren't really thinking of it as a day to day thing - more sporting events, fairs and all that. However, if you can find us a site in town (and I'm happy with Featherston St) - more than happy.
At one stage I worked at Flowercorp - which has gone now, but I was thinking what a great spot that would be for a coffee venture. Mind you, I think there are quite a few more good cafes in that area than there were 10 years ago.
Buy a bike anyway. I'll make you a nice coffee on Francis Francis for your effort.
What's wrong with a good old Kiwi Pie Cart?
Don't people eat pies any more?
Nothing wrong with a pie cart. I'm simply very very uninterested in making pies for a job.
Not to mention the opportunity didn't present itself. To be honest, I am quite impulsive and very good at talking myself and those around me into anything - so it could have just as easily been a pie-cart.
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