Heather Stuart was on holiday with friends when she joked about combining her love for coffee and people, now, she has built a successful mobile coffee business, “Feath’s” set for your morning brew.
“I grew up in the valley from the age of four and have been working in Pharmacy around raising our three girls”, Heather explains. “I’ve always wanted to run my own business and through this process, I have certainly learnt that it requires some definite “big girl pants”. Heather recalls that there have been times when she’s felt scared, anxious, excited and humble, sometimes all at once. She has also learnt that it’s okay to ask for help when needed, “I have a supportive husband of 18 years, family and friends who all have my back and I’ve learnt to take the great experiences with the bad”, muses Heather.
A typical day for Heather starts “Early, very early”, she jokes. Up early to pack the trailer, Heather ensures everything fresh and perishable is packed and heads off to set up at her location for the day. This in itself is a process, she explains, “It takes about half an hour to park and stabilise the trailer, warm the coffee machine, set up cups, grinders, food and ingredients, signage, as well as point of sale, then, the same process is required for pack down, including refilling and cleaning the trailer and washing everything used for the day”.
This is a venture worth the early starts for Heather, “once I`m set up, I get to chat with locals, meet new people, and serve great coffee. This is especially possible for Heather while attending local events such as markets, businesses, sporting, and community events. “I am mobile so basically I can attend any event that is required, including weddings, musical festivals, and I even frequent our local schools weekly”, Heather expands, “The trailer runs fro electricity but I am also free standing with he use of generators, so, if there is access to a flat piece of ground, then I am always happy to cater”.
Serving an assortment of hot and cold beverages, Devonshire tea, baked goods and grazing boxes, Heather has recently introduced Fruit Bubble Tea and Iced Lattes, her most regular request though, is warm brew. “I use Lavazza Oro, I choose this coffee as I find it has a strong flavour without being bitter and is easily accessible, plus, at the time of starting the business, I believe no one else was using this brand in the area and wanted to provide something different”, Heather notes.
Heather hopes to continue meeting community tastes, “my biggest takeaway is to listen to what your customers want, make it to order, and take feedback positively to improve, I can’t improve my service if people don’t tel me their likes and dislikes”. Heather also enjoys giving back to a community that have supported her beyond words “schools, businesses, my past and present employers, people I don’t even know who wish me the best”, her graciousness evident.
You can find Heather`s set up for the day on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/feaths
Feath`s also attends local markets, as well as fly by stops at local schools and preschools.