The Business of Coffee

IQHAWE: Please tell us a bit more about your business, when and howdid Home of the Bean come about?

HOB: Our journey started back in 2015 when we would visit different coffee shops in Johannesburg, we called it coffee-shop-hopping. A friend of ours suggested we try out this cool coffee shop in the Cosmopolitan garden, FireBird, where we met Dan- an amazingly passionate barista we now call a great friend. We didn’t just get great coffee here but we got schooled here and we loved that. From then on Fire Bird, where our coffee home currently is, became our go-to place. We went from being regular coffee drinkers almost every chance we got, to dishwashers and cup clearers, to behind the machine learning the ins and outs of coffee. That’s where the passion grew before we knew it we wanted in on this coffee business, the coffee culture, the community, we wanted all of it. In 2016 we wanted to start our own business, unfortunately, we realized that starting one is not very cheap looking at things like rent, staff, and equipment, especially equipment. So we opted to start mobile and worked on being unique about it. We bought a VW 1972 Kombi, which was previously used as a camper, cut it up, gave it a fresh coat of paint and converted it to our blue kofi kombi.

IQHAWE: As the owner of the business, what have been some of thechallenges you have experienced?

HOB: The biggest challenge has been finances so far. We have learned to work with what we have and make what we have work for us. Staff has been a bit of a challenge too because it’s one thing just hiring anyone and getting to work, it’s another thing getting someone who will try to understand your vision along with the culture we’re building and have them serve on that level because they won’t always see it and they might not always move with it.

IQ: Starting and running a business can be a daunting task, how hasthe entire process been since you started?

HOB: When we were officially starting we found that the coffee community was very welcoming and willing to share information, experiences, and advice. It made our journey feel like we were home. Even with that it sure hasn’t been an easy one, we went in expecting to swim but we were never ready for what the swim required of us, a deeper level every time. We’re enjoying every moment of growth though, there is so much learning and unlearning to still do. It’s beautiful the craft we make and the people we make it for. We get to serve and connect, what a pleasure. IQHAWE: Do you have a business plan when operating the business? If so, do you have any pointers you would give a young entrepreneur?

HOB: We don’t have a business plan. We tried to compile one in the beginning but found that we’re planning blindly because we can’t formulate numbers we don’t have or haven’t seen and we were not looking for someone to invest in our business so we didn’t get to complete it. It’s not always necessary to have a business plan before you start because sometimes it delays you. If you’re looking for funding then yes, go for it but if not and you know what you want to build, START! Once you’ve started it becomes easier to compile it because you’re now working on the numbers you’ve seen, the culture you’ve built, the products and services that exist.

IQ: How would you personally define business success? Is it economicfreedom? Influence? Or innovation, furthermore, are these factorsyou put in mind when starting your business?

HOB: All these factors are part of business success. All that’s needed is a balance. You have the freedom to do whatever craft/passion you want. The influence works with your marketing, if you can get people to believe they need your services or product or you get them to see that it’s possible to live out a dream/passion and get them to action, you’ve won. Innovation doesn’t always have to be the coolest thing built if you can think outside the boundaries of average/normal and can manifest that thought regardless of the challenge; you’re on the r i g h t t r a c k.

IQ: The coffee industry is growing rapidly particularly in South Africa,what would you say sets you apart from the rest?

HOB: It’s a tricky one because we could say we sell the best beans specialty coffee but all coffee shops believe they have the best beans. There are so many coffee shops and there will be one that offers what we could say sets us apart and we’re not in competition with anyone anyway. What we do offer is a home, we serve great energy, delicious brownies, and cakes, we share what we know on coffee and business and as for the coffee, you’ll have to come to try it out yourself IQHAWE: What solid business advice would you give a young black entrepreneur who is just starting?

HOB: Find out what it is you are passionate/ curious about, and cultivate that; make it your focus and a priority. In any field seek to learn the basics and everything there is to absorb about that field. Make time to visit people in the field and volunteer your time to learn about the industry as often as you can. Be bold, set boundaries, be aggressive, and prepare for more negatives than positives.

IQ: Where do you see the business in the next 5 years?

HOB: Definitely to multiply, more coffee homes and more kofi kombis and hoping to grow it as a family venture. We want to create platforms for those wanting to get into the coffee community/industry by assisting in any way we know-how. We would love to own a roastery, not in a rush for it but very eager to have one. We also have a foundation, an initiative to give back to the community, mainly our less fortunate children in schools and we would love to grow that. We aim to work hand-in-hand with schools in rural areas and addressing matters such as feeding schemes, stationery, and building libraries.