🔉 Listen to Audio Excerpt:
I am here with Luis Milan of The Coffee Trike in Boston. The Coffee Trike is a self-contained mobile coffee shop experience for all types of events and occasions that includes a full espresso bar, cold brew coffee, hot chocolate, and specialty coffee drinks. Catering MA/RI/NHÂ Their coffee is roasted in Somerville, MA.
Luis, what inspired you to take ownership of the coffee trike, and how has your background in hospitality influenced your approach to running a mobile coffee business in Boston?
Well, first of all, thank you for having me. I’ve always wanted to do something meaningful, and I found myself in the hospitality industry because it’s entirely about benefiting others. I’ve been a chef and cooked professionally for over 20 years across many countries. Coffee is something that gathers people, allowing you to use your qualities to put a smile on someone’s face. When my friend Martin decided to sell his coffee shops after the pandemic to change careers, the coffee trike was getting leads. People were asking if it was available, so we gave it a shot, and it’s been wonderful. It’s been a wonderful experience.
Can you describe the unique concept behind the coffee trike and explain what makes it stand out from traditional brick-and-mortar coffee shops in the Boston area?
The main thing is that we can go everywhere, and the coffee trike creates a space where people can connect and enjoy a cup of coffee. If you think about it, the most common date or when people want to catch up with friends, they say, “Hey, let’s go grab a cup of coffee.” So, after the pandemic, people wanted to reconnect with colleagues, friends, and family, and we became part of that.
“When people gather, we offer them a cup of coffee so they can succeed in whatever it is they’re pursuing.”
Operating a mobile coffee shop presents unique challenges. How do you maintain high-quality service and ensure customer satisfaction while navigating different locations in the city?
Believe it or not, our job is about 70% moving equipment. We must take the trike everywhere, and the rest is about putting smiles on people’s faces. It’s impressive how many amazing things are happening around the Boston area. Ideas are being created, people are developing new technologies, companies are doing all kinds of things. When people gather, we offer them a cup of coffee so they can succeed in whatever it is they’re pursuing.
Sustainability is a growing concern for many businesses. How do you incorporate sustainable practices into your operations, and why is this important to you as a business owner in Boston?
We want to have the least impact on the planet. We use 100% compostable supplies like cups, straws, lids, and napkins. We support local businesses, and that’s our contribution. We try to make it as clean as possible, so even our clear cups are made from compostable materials made in the U.S. It’s important that we try to keep it at home.
Choosing the right events and locations is crucial for a mobile business. How do you decide where to set up the Coffee Trike, and can you share a memorable event experience in Boston?
It’s always an adventure, and we think that everything is “figureoutable.” We often have a walkthrough, checking the location. There must be a minimum requirement, like an outlet or access without stairs. We remember once we had to take the machine out of the trike, tilt it, and have eight people lifting it until we made it happen. After that, we decided to build a bar. We went to Home Depot, got some wood, and figured out how to make it more accessible for smaller events. At this point, we have three different sizes of trikes and two bars for all sizes of events.
I would imagine running a mobile coffee business comes with its own set of challenges. What are some obstacles you faced in Boston, and how have you overcome them?
The weather is a challenge for outdoor events. We bring heaters and try to make it happen, but you can only do so much. Events during the winter usually happen indoors. When it comes to permits and licenses, we have good relations and follow the rules. The trike has been around for a decade, and we’ve served coffee almost everywhere, figuring things out as we go.
Community feedback is vital for any business. How has the Boston community responded to the Coffee Trike over the years, and what feedback have you found most valuable in shaping your business?
Everyone loves coffee, and it’s big in Massachusetts and New England. We try our best to fit the needs and budgets of all the events we’re invited to. We’ve served preschools, nurses, hospitals, and universities. It’s meaningful to be part of people’s lives and share good memories. Seeing smiles when we work is very rewarding.
Customer interactions can be quite impactful. Can you share a story about a customer experience with the coffee trike that has significantly influenced you or the business operations?
Boston is a city where many cultures interact. We’ve been at events where younger demographics asked for iced hot chocolate, and we put it together. They smiled, and we learned from it. We know what type of event demands more iced coffee or cold brew. We craft drinks as people want, whether they prefer dairy or non-dairy milk. Our mission is to cater with love and put smiles on faces.
Looking to the future, what are your plans for expanding or evolving the Coffee Trike, and how do you envision its growth continuing in the Boston community?
The best review is to get hired again, and that happens often. We aim to grow while maintaining quality. Businesses often diversify, but we don’t foresee going into roasting or opening a brick-and-mortar location soon. We’ll continue working with events and try to grow organically, open to anything that brings meaningful benefits.
For those interested in starting a mobile business in Boston or even just a small business, what advice would you offer based on your experience?
There are organizations in Boston that help entrepreneurs, like the Commonwealth Kitchen. They offer programs on finances and marketing. It’s important to enjoy what you’re doing. Start with pop-ups and see if people like what you do. The best review is when people come back and buy again. That’s when you’ve found your market.
To learn more about The Coffee Trike or to have them at your next event, please visit them at there website: The Coffee Trike
