How to start a $130k Coffee Caravan on $10k

6 Steps to help you into a successful food truck business!
Just to be transparent about our sales, $130,000 turned over the last financial year. We invested the PROFIT from that number, minus our costs, straight back into our business.
**This is not financial advice just our experience**
We are a coffee and doughnut caravan in Auckland, New Zealand.
Find us here:
yolandaandwolfe.com/
yolanda_and...
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[@emmawhateverr]

Pleeeease make an UPDATE video!! This video has been super inspiring and helpful for me as an aspiring coffee shop owner.

[@jaxxonsamson300]

Sorry to be so off topic but does anybody know of a method to log back into an instagram account?? I was stupid forgot the account password. I love any tips you can give me

[@howardasternfan]

I think they closed as their IG and website are no longer active. 😢

[@AwhsweetheartHD]

“And I’m a pretty good dancer too” bless 🥺

[@judeburke7629]

Thank you for adding about confidence because honestly we are our own worst enemy. Also thank you for the tips and taking the time to make the video.

[@astrom4ne127]

love your unique kiwi humor. I would love to get served coffee by you.inspirinng.

[@miguelprada2512]

I love how real you are! I tend to dream higher than my budget so videos like this give me hope 💜😁

[@nathanphilpott9834]

The reason why I love your video is because you are so real! Thank you for the great content! Best of luck to you!

[@DirtRdGirl]

Great job girl !! Thanks for the tips :) Love how real you were

[@jillyamamoto2684]

You're hilarious, super fun to watch and way informative! Thank you for the video. I'm gaining momentum to get on out there with a mobile cart. The biggest hurdle, finding a truck or cart. Oh and the confidence to do it. But this helped!! All the best to you!

[@AwhsweetheartHD]

This was so helpful!! Really has inspired me to stop putting it off, to save up and follow my dreams!! Thank you so much 🙌🏼

[@ameleaneti3638]

Wow. This is amazing. I am starting my coffee cart soon.. So I guess we can have coffee cart chat😂. I can't wait to see updates on your journey. ❤

[@AdamandAly]

This is our dream! So inspiring! Thank you more vids please! 😍❤️

[@talongudelunas7466]

What a radiant personality! Loved this video and commentary, happily subscribing! :)

[@jesselore6374]

Great tips. Thanks and congratulations on your awesome business

[@critterbuilt]

Fantastic video Yolanda you guys cracked it. I loved your raw energetic spirit great job and very helpful. Thank you.

[@olliewier]

Thx for all the tips. To have a coffee truck is one of my many ideas. See you in NZ if I'm come back. Cheers

[@sushantsehgal27]

Such a genuine video ! Thanks for sharing.

[@whtzupp]

This is by far the best video advice I have ever seen, your video is natural understanding & really awesome information, I am living in Hamilton, & next time I come to Auckland I will definitely & hopefully come & find where ever you are set up & open for business, & have a donut & coffee from your food caravan, really enjoyed your video 👍

[@ayneeo]

Thank you for posting this.

[@ID89926]

If you’re a cut twice measure once gal then I too shall make it. Great tips and the very best of luck with you’re new shop. 🤙🏻

[@tombyrne4791]

Hi from Ireland , thanks for sharing your story I’m in the process if setting up my Coffey truck in Ireland’s wild Atlantic way .

[@maninder1984]

Thank you for your tips!!

[@PeaceChanel]

Thank You for All that you are doing for World Peace and for our Planet... Peace.. Shalom.. Salam.. La Paz.. Namaste .. 🙏🏻 😊 🌈 ✌ ☮️ ❤️ 🕊

[@jerrolcrisostomo4914]

I really love your vlog!!! God bless and more power to come :)

[@kaylabratts2183]

Blackmail 😂😂😂 you are hilarious!! Thank you for this video!

[@sylviadewall7173]

LOL Okay... That was freakin' adorable. Thank you for being real. Made it easy to understand and follow along. Best to you and Wolfe. :)

[@seancarey8731]

really helpful stuff guys thank you

[@lanascribe]

You're awesome! Really great advice too! Thanks love.

[@xandriavejano510]

I love this, Soo inspiring!! 😃😃

[@philgreen5906]

Hello Yolanda and Wolfe, you guys are awesome and an inspiration!

[@chrisguynz]

Phil Green thanks so much !

[@heukolo]

Thank you so much for this.

[@joybush9519]

Wonderful video!! 🥰

[@kaycgrocks]

Awesome video, thank you!

[@astrom4ne127]

love it, great ideas

[@ibodhidogma]

I've always wanted to do a truck just like this - with a bare-bones menu just like this. Any plans to publish an ebook of your baking recipes?

[@floyd671]

Great vid, you rock.

[@zachreederau2531]

Heyy, great video, would love to hear more about your journey a few year on :-)

[@kyejinlee1]

Great Job!

[@thefreshprince26]

Thank you!

[@SethTheArtist]

Please make more videos this was awesome

[@dgd48wdf7]

it's beautiful my dream is to have one truck cafe like this. I also live in Auckland lol

[@lisagray1347]

Omg congrats Amy!! This is so awesome 💛💛💛 ... my partner and I are currently saving to start our Coffee cart Business too 🙌 xx

[@yolandaandwolfe321]

That’s such awesome news!! If there’s anything else you want me to talk about let me know!

[@lisagray1347]

@@yolandaandwolfe321 thank you so much! Xx (So pleased its going well for you guys 💕)

[@suzeprimrose-7466]

woo hoo! I am too Lisa. Hows it going? ( Melbourne) Im learning all the things you talked about. Are you able to do a video on types of EFTPOS systems that work when you are mobile. Some places I see myself going, may not have great network coverage. Im sure I have more Q's..... I will post them in the future. Great Video guys

[@daanaufenacker7297]

Great vid ! Inspiring indeed...

[@margarettruesdale3334]

Well done I enjoyed

[@Alec_tod]

thanks for the guidance.

[@yusifmahmood86]

Good advice

[@jesscooper7273]

Love this! Hair/fringe looks fab 😍

[@yolandaandwolfe321]

Thank you!! X

[@yolandaandwolfe321]

Thank you!! X

[@valeriehines5]

i LOVe your personality, thank you for sharing

[@forevertrue06]

“Barry the real estate agent” ☠️ 😂

[@BlackMagikTarotReader]

Thanks Yolanda

[@PakawanDuangsuwan]

Nice build coffee caravan. Good point about the table height. I've ordered coffee from places with a serving table so high that almost everyone had to look up. Quite annoying.

[@The_Encouraging_Entreprenuer]

I'm starting a Coffee cart in Temple Texas! Thanks for sharing!

[@chrisguynz]

Epic ! We’d actually love to come to Texas, we’re currently in Western Australia now. Maybe time for an update video.

[@The_Encouraging_Entreprenuer]

@@chrisguynz you come by we have an extra room, just got a Decent Espresso machine and building out a cart for weddings and event, also if yall have time we should do a zoom chat, love to host you guys!!!!

[@BambiBooS222]

🤩 perfect ... Thaaanks 💗

[@keekoization]

Also an update of things you’d do differently if you had to do it again and unexpected things you’ve ran into 😅😇

[@keekoization]

UPDATE VIDEO PLZZ

[@PeppiGaming]

i dont do intros, proceeds to do an awesome intro haha

[@markgriffith3076]

Awesome and thanks....Please do more videos😊🙏 Some vid ideas? Recipe ideas Coffee selection Best operating hours Menu selection

[@yolandaandwolfe321]

Cheers for the ideas, weve been discussing doing more videos but currently have a new 6 week old, theyre good subject ideas though and we still plan on doing it!

[@skoll_5682]

Hi ya Yolanda I really hope you guys are goin great (haven’t checked out social media as yet). My sister just bought a coffee van in Australia and I had to share your video. It was straight forward and insightful. I have a feeling you’re still around (hopefully). If you are, you’re vid was great and a follow up would be fantastic. I’ve subbed just incase. Thanks again.

[@amybarnett654]

Really glad you found it helpful ! Message us on Instagram if you have any questions

[@jameshutchins8155]

Thank u for your simple yet very informative video on your coffee biz! What type of locations/events do you recommend parking your trailer? Thanks from the USA!

[@vvelus]

The last three minutes thanks for your advice…👍🏼👍🏼 Soon going to start a coffee shop… I bought a realestate with coffee shop. Why not I run it?

[@keekoization]

I’d like to know how the water system works with the buckets and I’m assuming the tank of water that feeds water to the machine and the size of it and roughly how many drink you can make with the amount of water 😅😇

[@heidimason165]

Hey! Loved this, share the dream 🥰 Where is your business now a year later?

[@namarcamusic]

Great video! Can i ask what is the model and name of your coffee machine?

[@mohammadalipaige226]

Very nice make more videos about business coffee shops I want to business in my country...... Please give more Ida

[@yolandaandwolfe321]

where are you located?

[@user-rw1xp9gg2l]

HI that was a great video, very informative. Can you tell me how do you know where to go in your food truck. Do you just go to events or do you do roadside coffee as well, if so do you just turn up. Maybe more infor on logistics of where you can sell

[@PleinAirAdventureswithTezDower]

Im thinking of doing a coffee van here in Australia, 🤞😋

[@amybarnett654]

Did you end up doing it ?

[@PleinAirAdventureswithTezDower]

@@amybarnett654 not yet🙏

[@CodyMcGriff]

haha ur too cute, "I don't do intro's"...starts intro right after...

[@augustinekopa6560]

Just subscribed and thank you so much. Just visited your .com and hopes to connect with you. I am in West Auckland 2 years later

[@Tribalique]

Loved your video. I'm hoping to open a coffee caravan in the UK with either a La Marzocco or a San Remo machine and grinder. How are you powering your caravan in terms of a generator etc. Is the noise very loud? Also do you stay fixed in one location? If not, how easy is it to move around with a generator? I've always understood that LPG espresso machines are difficult to control the temperature on and can burn the coffee....

[@yolandaandwolfe321]

gas powered coffee machines are a pain to be completely honest, we downgraded the steam element in the La Marzocco classic 2 group by 1000w which made us able to plug in anywhere. most outdoor power points can easily handle 15 amps and we would pull a max of 14.7 with the element downgraded. if you have anymore questions let us know!

[@lewisherschel52]

🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@milesfabishak2354]

Wondering if you can do this on the side? Like maybe a few days during the week plus weekends?

[@reed133]

Hey! How did you secure the machine and grinder to the bench?

[@ourisolife8613]

"...and I'm a pretty good dancer too" *cut, next scene* 😅 love this vid!

[@darleanarchuleta419]

Good morning! Could u please tell me the dimensions of your caravan please? Just the length and width please? By the way I love your presentation in this video! You did a great job!!!

[@jonbrenden2858]

Hi how many power points do you have in the trailer and how much did it put you back to install electrics? Am looking to install the inlet outside, 3 power points and light switch in our trailer here in Aus

[@chivonemurphy1482]

We are also starting our own ice cream trailer ☺️ may I ask did you do a business coarse ? How was your first week then first year profit wise ? Secondly did you put in $10,000 to do up the caravan ? Was the caravan cost separately

[@23061997itzel]

Hi love what generator do you use for your van?(:

[@manadziveasv2418]

Why did you guys closed?

[@aprilzimmerman2881]

What color did you paint your trailer?

[@MegaUbuntuguy]

By them a coffee!

[@marioramon2010]

Great idea ! how is business today ? i know is tought everyware

[@yolandaandwolfe321]

Hey! We had to shut for 5 weeks in New Zealand, but once we re opened for takeaway only, we are actually busier than before! To answer your question, business is going really well and adapting to the new rules has actually been beneficial to our business. We pre sell all our orders which means no waste, and having a set pick up time means no waiting around selling retail.

[@lukeomahony30]

Hi how are things, how many kgs is the caravan?

[@peterpiper2445]

hey there! i was wondering if you could do a video or maybe just a comment about how to choose a location to stop and sell your coffee. Do you have a fixed locations, or do you just move around?

[@yolandaandwolfe321]

Peter Piper we’ve always stayed fixed. The main thing is the flow of people or cars for any location.

[@jcee6886]

What kind of location are you in?

[@amanijackson7004]

Is this weathered also did yall have to go through coding for approval of business plan from where you live? Im in the USA philly

[@coastcafeequipment]

👍💯

[@CafeLomez]

Thanks for sharing your experience as I’ve just also made a very similar video. I think you did a good job but do want to point out I think it’s unrealistic to put $10,000 in your title. You probably should have explained how this just worked for you. For instance, in the USA, your trailer wouldn’t pass any state health inspections. You need a 4 compartment sink, water heater, and closed water tanks. Also, La Marzocco commercial espresso machines start around $6,000. In addition, how do you pull it to events? You would need to spend money on a truck or have one from the start and not everyone does. For people wanting to start a food truck or trailer, I think it’s important to be more realistic with them about how much this is going to cost. Perhaps in New Zealand, for people that already have a truck, and access to used coffee or cooking equipment they can do it for $10,000. But if people in the USA watch this video and think they can start one for this price is going to be very upset halfway through the process.

[@reemop7161]

0:46

[@mariaeugeniafontes7846]

Great tips, thank you for sharing. So do you bake at home? Is there a special requirement for that? Thank you 😊

[@yolandaandwolfe321]

Hey! There is a special requirement for wherever you choose to bake, just check on your local council or government website and it should give you enough info to get started. In general if you are selling food to the public you will need a permit of some kind whether it’s hiring a commercial kitchen or baking from home. Hope that helps!

[@mariaeugeniafontes7846]

Yolanda And Wolfe thank you ! Yes very helpful 😊

[@micaiahbaker7502]

Heya. Do you think completing a small business certificate will be beneficial for this kind of venture? I'm just on the fence about it all. As a young kiwi gal myself I am inspired ☺

[@yolandaandwolfe321]

Hey! I think personally that real life experience is the most valuable. We changed and adapted our systems and ideas so many times, I just don't think you get the same experience in a classroom. Learning things like accounting and how to build your website are useful but there are lots of tutorials online for that so I say the sooner you start, the better!

[@peterblogs8455]

how did you afford a La marzocco if you were on a budget ? was it second hand or something ?

[@Yellow_Magpie]

There's no cheap espresso machines worth having, even second hand with years on a coffee counter a functioning machine is over a grand it's probably more expensive than the trailer lol

[@amybarnett654]

We bought an old second hand one and refurbished it

[@topcat2033]

How do you deal with rude customers?

[@caravanningcraikes7627]

Do you run off a generator at times? If so what size?

[@amybarnett654]

We never ended up using a generator. We did downgrade the steam boiler Element in the la Marzocco to bring the power requirements down but never ended up using a generator Work out the maximum wattage/amp age you’ll pull off the coffee machine and go from there. The La Marzocco has two boilers so pulls a lot more power. Worth it though as they’re the best machines !

[@viktoriaorlova3474]

OMG UR FOOD LOOKS FUCKING AMAIZNG. WOW WTF I HOPE YOU GUYS EXPAND UR BRAND OVERSEAS SOME DAY. OMG I WANNA EAT UR DONUTS SO BAD. WOW. GOALS!

[@basbussen1558]

Are you guys still operating?? Cant find you guys on Instagram..

[@chrisguynz]

We are there under Yolanda and Wolfe. Life has taken many turns since this video

[@shonz4429]

Do you use a generator?

[@suzeprimrose-7466]

😱

[@brendansmith]

microphones make a huge difference fwiw

[@sparksconsulting]

"Intention" and "service" are two of my favourite words. Read your NZH piece. Well done! www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12251389

[@aireenyee]

Hi did you need to go to school to be a barista?

[@amybarnett654]

No way ! KZbin will teach you the basics and if you choose a good coffee roaster for your beans they’ll teach you everything !

[@micropenny6056]

10K setup? how so, the espresso machine is already worth more

[@yolandaandwolfe321]

Micro Penny the la marzocco cost $3500

[@mateot6851]

@@yolandaandwolfe321 Hello, thanks for the video. Where did you find a 2 Group La Marzocco so cheap? Cheapest I can find is 7k. Thank you!

[@yolandaandwolfe321]

@@mateot6851 We scoured second hand websites for a while and got kind of lucky I guess? The machine needed some work which we were able to do ourselves as well. Another tip if you cant afford a machine outright, is to approach coffee companies as they loan machines to cafes who commit to using a certain amount of beans per week.

[@petey3005]

​@@yolandaandwolfe321 Thanks for the informative video and congrats on the start to what must be a successful road ahead for ye guys, Love from Ireland

[@dwsscotty]

no food handling laws there