70. From Coffee Carts to Multi-Locations: Balancing Risk, Growth, and Opportunity

SUMMARY:

In this episode, Aaron and Ben dive deep into the unpredictable world of coffee carts, trailers, and the entrepreneurial journey. From event planning nightmares and wasted product to leveraging risk for growth, they unpack the challenges and opportunities of scaling a coffee business.

The guys share personal stories from their early days in coffee, including the highs and lows of running a cart at unpredictable events and the lessons learned along the way. They explore how owners can move beyond the "hourly rate" mindset and adopt a profit-driven approach.

Key topics include:

• Strategies for managing unpredictable event traffic and minimizing waste.
• Creative business models for coffee trailers, including partnerships and franchising.
• Scaling from a single location to a multi-location brand and why it's critical for long-term success.
• The risks and rewards of investing in growth and building an asset that’s primed for a lucrative exit.

Whether you’re running a coffee cart, dreaming of opening a brick-and-mortar, or planning your exit strategy, this episode is packed with actionable insights for coffee entrepreneurs at any stage of their journey.

 

Minute by Minute:

0:00 Introduction and recap from Susan’s interview

6:37 The unpredictability of remote coffee locations

8:58 The finances need to work

16:32 Your Threshold of risk in business