Hazel Ep. 4 | Starting a Coffee Trailer | Expenses & Things You Need!

[@taylorwest592]

Hey there! My mom and I have been working on opening a coffee trailer together in Texas and it was exciting watching your video and seeing someone else going through the exact same stuff we are. I know Covid is putting a hold on a lot of progress but hang in there!

[@haileypolidori5824]

Thank you so much for the positivity! Best of luck as you start your journey :)

[@courtneyburton2317]

Your attitude is so positive. I have a lot of to-do's and things to save for before I can start my dream job, but watching your vids makes me excited for the future and reminds me to keep looking ahead ❤️ Do you think you'd ever do a video about your favorite/least favorite marketing techniques?

[@haileypolidori5824]

Thank you so much! It's definitely a long journey - but so so worth it so keep going! We're in this together

[@meganrapp9600]

Hi Hailey! I would love to receive the checklist once you have it completed! thanks! :)

[@talongudelunas7466]

Hi! I've been following your entrepreneur business story and loving it! It's very motivating and encouraging to see someone pursue a passion! :)

[@haileypolidori5824]

Thank you so much! You are so kind!

[@madisonsobota]

I would love a document of possible expenses! Thank you so much!

[@haileypolidori5824]

Subscribe to the channel and send me an email [e-mail] and I will respond with the doc :) Thanks!!

[@bosef1394]

Love this video. As a business owner myself, I know how much it helps to have all of your expenses and income tracked. I use the most basic, wonderful, yet hated tool of them all - Microsoft Excel. I would love it if you could perhaps post an expense spreadsheet for your build as I'm eyeing a similar towable cafe in Toronto area.

[@haileypolidori5824]

Thank you for the input! Once I have everything together & I am sure I'm not missing anything I plan to make a spreadsheet & would be happy to share it! Good luck on your journey!

[@kenmiller5632]

Hello! My wife and I have been following you and think you are doing an amazing job! We would love a checklist ! Thanks so much !

[@moriahmesina3391]

Hailey! I am also starting a coffee camper bar in California! I have my camper and I'm working towards the build-out as well as getting permitted and what not. I wish you luck and a smooth process throughout all of this. Can't wait to see your next video!!

[@haileypolidori5824]

Best of luck to you! It is definitely a long process so it feels good connecting with others going through the same thing :) Do you have an instagram? I would love to follow your journey!

[@moriahmesina3391]

@@haileypolidori5824 Yes I feel the same way. Thank you so much! My instagram is @chromecoffeeco for my trailer!! Hope to connect soon!

[@plywoodpalaceToddTouchberry]

Moriah any updates?

[@alexhasathought]

Would love to see your checklist / spreadsheet of breakdowns of costs. Also if you have any tips on all the permits /legal stuff you needed, that would be very helpful too!

[@haileypolidori5824]

I am finally getting to work on that list so I can send it your way as soon as it is done! As far as legality & permits it is going to be suupppeerr based on where you live so you'll have to do some digging on your state/county website *the fun stuff* lol

[@sjzonio3146]

Ayeee michigander gangggg 🤪🤪🤪 hope to see ur coffee truck arround in the future! Good luck to ya girl!! God bless and be safe ❤️😊

[@haileypolidori5824]

Yess! Good ole mitten state lol! Thanks for the support

[@BridgetLeMoine]

I’d love a document that lists what is needed, please

[@christinapuga4926]

If you are still offering that checklist I would really love to receive it!

[@marielsophie]

Hi Hailey! I’m interested in that checklist if you had time to whip one up ;) thanks!!!

[@PeaceChanel]

Peace… Shalom… Salam... Namaste and Thank You for All that you are doing to Heal our Mother Earth 🙏🏻 😊 🌈 ✌ 🌷 ☮️❤️

[@sandrahosker7657]

Hi! I just started watching you and your journey for the coffee truck! I just bought my camper for it and am ready to customize it! You mentioned a checklist, i would love to see yours and see all the items i might need! Also, how did you come across your contractor? My camper was remodeled but all the electrical was taken out so I need an expert to help my get that up and running. Thank you!!

[@haileypolidori5824]

Hey there! I will let you know as soon as I get that checklist complete :) Honestly, I was pretty upset with the work our contractor did & my family ended up having to help me redo most of it. It was a lesson learned for sure. Try finding someone in your area that has a website/great testimonials! If you can't find someone who can do it all take it a step at a time - find an electrician & then a plumber when the timing is right. For the electrical work there isn't too much of a difference when it comes to setting up the camper (other than the fact it is going to be powered by a generator or plugging in your camper somewhere so have that decided first).It is also super important to know what kind of plugs you will need for your equipment so get a look at espresso machines before getting started on the electrical :) A general electrician should be able to help you out so you won't have to look up someone camper specific! I wish I would have taken more time to find someone more reputable, so definitely don't rush the process. Wait until you find people you like & trust.

[@globaltribe5239]

I'd like to know, how much does cost for made a coffee trailer. ( with only basic staff) Thank you for make such a wonderful video.

[@365daysofveronica]

I want to start a lemonade truck and I’m in Michigan. I’d love to talk to you about the process sometime!

[@haileypolidori5824]

Absolutely! I love connecting with fellow Michigan business owners :)

[@Conmaritzzzaa]

Omg, I recently started watching your videos and loved all the coffee content! I’m inspired to also open my own little coffee shop but currently want to finish school first!!! Is this something you’re still pursuing?

[@haileypolidori5824]

You are so kind! I am still pursuing the camper, but sadly covid is slowing my plans down :( Thanks for following along! I will keep updates on this channel :)

[@eoinforan6845]

Hi Hailey! Congrats taking the plunge and wish you success! . I am about to embark on my market research for a coffee trailer of my own journey and would love if you could share how you approached this side of things? So who you are going to sell to, what you are going to sell, where you are going to sell.. I find these difficult to get solid answers to sometimes and would be nice to hear how others do it!

[@haileypolidori5824]

Sorry for the late reply! I think a lot of these questions vary based on what your city is like! I - personally want to work with the wedding/event industry, however, I know many mobile business owners who have success by staying in one location & relying on foot traffic. I would do some looking into the needs of your area. Where are other cafes lacking? What can you do being mobile that they can not? Is there a street or large event in your area that is lacking coffee? Is there a business in that area or a park close by that would rent you a parking space to accommodate for this? Truthfully I am planning to take the trial & error route. Give a lot of events/venues a try & see what ones work. I think it is best not to keep yourself in a box & go where your market/customers take you. You might find that you appeal to a crowd you never would have considered before :) Best of luck & I hope that helped!

[@Joegoldberg7]

Im also in michigan and storing your trailer on your property would go off of your citys laws and ordinance. Its not a state law that you cant store a food truck at your house.

[@haileypolidori5824]

You are correct - each city/county/even inspector will have different rules and regulations. That is why I always say reach out to your health department before beginning anything. I know a lot of health inspectors who will not allow you to store trailers on your own property (event if the city allows it) due to the food safe aspect. This video is also 3+ years old so lots of new info/city changes since then. Some counties in Michigan won't even allow you to operate as a cart at all, while one county over over will. Unfortunately, it's super dependent on who you speak to and when.

[@Joegoldberg7]

@haileypolidori5824 thanks for the quick response. I haven't worked with health inspectors yet. I was just going off of my experience with campers and other trailers parking on my property. I have been watching all of your recent videos today and appreciate all the knowledge you share with you're experiences.

[@tameraking8082]

Are you still offering that list? 👀

[@sammirodman2534]

How did you figure out what you needed to do to be up to code? Also how long is your trailer? 😊 love your videos

[@haileypolidori5824]

Reach out to the health department in your county and they should be able to send you all of the info you need to get started! Good Luck!

[@KristenCaseyyy]

Hey girl! Love this video - it was really really helpful!! If I know nothing about renovating a coffee truck on my own but am still trying to save some money, would buying an old camper and hiring a contractor be the best move? Did you guys use a contractor at all, and if you did was it worth it?

[@haileypolidori5824]

If you hire a contractor it can be helpful, but make sure they are reputable and don't give the full payment until work is complete. Our contractor ghosted us at the end so we had to figure out a lot of the work on our own. It is worth it to pay for quality so you know your trailer will last. If you think you can figure out flooring/cabinetry on your own you can save money there and hire someone for electrical/plumbing. We got our flooring and cabinets at a reuse it center which helped.

[@ckhalifa_]

At $3-4 per cup how many do you need to sell to break even? If you operate for 8 hrs at $4 per cup and 100 cups per day of sales (that's 1 sale every 5 mins) you're looking at $400 revenue. Even at 50% profit margin that's $200 profit per day which in the best case is $25/hr.

[@haileypolidori5824]

The coffee business does not have large margins on a cup of coffee itself - cafe owners always tell me it is definitely a business run on passion. It is important to carry things like branded merch, beans, and pastries to help increase your profit margins and bring individual transaction sales up. Breaking into the catering side of things, and selling by the gallon for corporate meetings etc. is a huge help as well.

[@_eimine_]

Is your offer to email the checklist still good?

[@d.i_reyes9354]

Hey!! Where did you learn to make all the drinks and such?

[@haileypolidori5824]

I was a barista for 3 years before starting the business - if you can get some barista experience I HIGHLY recommend it. If you can't there are a ton of amazing roasters that offer coffee and latte art trainings/courses. I also suggest partnering with a roaster that can help you learn as you go and answer some technical coffee questions along the way! Attend as many cuppings as you can & use youtube to learn from :) Lots of great info on this platform!

[@jessicahenderson3161]

What was the total cost to start

[@roberteisenbach624]

If you are still looking for espresso machine and grinder let me know. I import 100% italian made espresso machines from low end pricing to Victoria arduino and slayer. I wish all the best with your coffee camper!

[@roberteisenbach624]

[e-mail] 😉

[@anamari127]

Hello Hailey! Thank you so much for this video! One of my dreams is to open up a coffee truck just like yours 💓 I’ve subscribed to your website to get your free checklist, however, after doing that I don’t see any other option. Is there something else I can do? I’m really interested. Thank you! 🙏🏻

[@haileypolidori5824]

Hey!! Sorry it took a little while - I send them all out manually. Good luck starting your biz!! Can't wait to watch it come to life!

[@anamari127]

@@haileypolidori5824 You’re awesome! Thank you!

[@samanthaparent6208]

Hi Hailey! I’m really enjoying all your videos. I’m from WI and I am super interested in the flipping process but really don’t have much knowledge on the equipment or budget process of this all. I was wondering if you would be willing to have a conversation with me about some of these things!?

[@haileypolidori5824]

Of course! A lot of it will be specific to your state or county when it comes to the build, but if you reach out to me on instagram @hazelcoffeeco I would be happy to answer anything I can so far!

[@Gamergirl-178]

I would love a copy of the checklist! Just added my email to your website

[@Snagzto]

Thank you for this video! Where do you recommend I start my research on codes for my state? Do you recommend a machine brand?

[@haileypolidori5824]

You definitely want to research the codes in your state before getting started! As far as machines go it's usually best to get one you are comfortable with/have worked on before.

[@haileypolidori5824]

I misread your comment the first time sorry! To find codes for your specific state you'll most likely have to go to your county's website. They definitely don't make it easy to find all of the info so don't be afraid to call around! I did a lot of googling! It can typically all be found through your states health department!

[@thatlibertygal]

Thank you so much for your videos! Did you ever make a printout check off list? Can I also find you on IG or Twitter? We’re beginning a similar project now and checklists are so helpful.

[@haileypolidori5824]

Our instagram is @hazelcoffeeco we are pretty active on there! Feel free to DM me your email and I can send the checklist your way.

[@haleherrine1451]

How did you find this journey 🫠 because all I see is $$$$ thank you so much for this video and your transparency!!

[@haileypolidori5824]

I saved up and bought my equipment slowly over the course of 3 years! I also started small with cold brew and drip coffee catering - working my way up to full espresso :)