I'm a full-time employee thinking about starting a coffee brand as a side hustle... Any realistic advice?
Everyone these days seems to be doing multiple gigs, so I feel like I'm falling behind. I get off work at 6, so I have plenty of evening time, and I'm really into coffee beans and roasting. I'm thinking of starting small...
Looking at places that sell beans online, I'm curious about the initial costs and operational know-how. Compared to big corporations or existing franchise coffee brands, is there a niche where an individual can survive?
I'd like to hear experiences from people who run purely independent roasteries, not franchises.
6 answers
I was thinking about this too lol. In the end, I gave it up because of the bean prices and shipping costs. Turns out a hobby and a business are totally different.
Well, coffee is more of a red ocean than you'd think. What's your reasoning for thinking there's a niche? Liking roasting and actually selling are totally different things.
Look into a mobile roasting service first. It greatly reduces initial costs and risks. My friend started that way and now even has their own roastery.
For a side job while working full-time, time is key. If you get off at 6, you can pack and ship orders, but the real issue is scheduling the roasting. Customers want fresh beans and expect same-day delivery, but doing that only on weekends has its limits. The online margin structure is tighter than you'd expect. Even if you charge 10,000 won for 200g of beans, after subtracting the cost, shipping, and card fees, there's barely anything left.
Rather than comparing yourself to franchises, wouldn't it be better to go the route of supplying beans to neighborhood cafes? B2B is steady.
Oh, I didn't know this. I'm really into coffee beans too, and I was just looking for related articles. Thanks for the great info.