Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Courtney Bass, co-founder of Javacart Catering, located in Asheville, NC, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Javacart Catering is an espresso catering company serving the WNC and Upstate SC area. We provide gourmet, hand-crafted espresso drinks for your guests at any event! We are a unique add-on option for weddings, corporate events, staff appreciation, and much more! If you're a coffee-lover, we are a great surprise to your guests. We handcraft each espresso drink, especially for you! Our menu consists of traditionally made lattes, cappuccinos, macchiatos and cortados. We are proud to partner with a local roaster out of Flat Rock, NC, called Sharewell Coffee Company.
Tell us about yourself
I (Courtney) have been working in coffee shops for almost a decade. I have a passion for creating and serving espresso-based drinks for people. Starting their day off with coffee has always made me smile. Brian (my fiance and co-owner) and I met in a coffee shop that I worked at over five years ago. Coffee has always been a center point of our relationship. Since we live in a great environment for events, we thought it would be a good idea to start an espresso catering company here. We met a ton of awesome people in the wedding industry in Asheville, and word of mouth has been our best way of advertising here. We have always strived to run our own business, and what better thing to do than something you are both passionate about. We are so grateful to be in such a great environment here, surrounded by tons of support!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Our biggest accomplishment as business owners would be growing our business exponentially over the last year strictly by word of mouth. We have only been in business since early 2021 and have grown so much and made so many amazing connections. We are proud to have become preferred vendors at many event venues across WNC. We are growing to become immersed in the corporate events this year as well, where we have traveled across North Carolina to serve corporate office staff too!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Balance! Brian and I still work full-time jobs and run this business full-time as well. We run busy day-to-day lives, and I think the hardest thing when starting a new business is giving yourself some time to rest. We are grateful for our business growing to the point when we can be full-time business owners!!
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Just do it. If it's been on your mind and you keep putting it off, bite the bullet and do it. You never know what will happen unless you try. I am grateful for Brian showing me support every single day to start this business that we talked about for a long time before actually doing!
- Connect with local people. Connections have been the driving force of our business. We would not be where we are today if we didn't connect with the local wedding industry in Asheville. It has helped grow our business tremendously.
- Set your boundaries and do what you do well. You don't have to go crazy and say yes to things outside of our craft if you do your craft really well. Stay true to your brand and perfect it, and it will be the best!
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Javacart is a mobile espresso company serving the WNC and Upstate SC area primarily, but our setup is compact, and we can travel almost anywhere for events!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.javacartcatering.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/javacartcatering/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/javacartcatering/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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