I manage a coffee cart in Midtown Manhattan. It’s not what I envisioned my life would be like. My dad warned me about this business, saying, “It’ll wreck your life.” Yet here I am.
During COVID, I hit a low point. I lost my job and felt lost. After a year of staying at my parents’ house with my wife and child, my dad had enough. He found a coffee pushcart for sale and said it was now or never. I bought it for $35,000.
I wake up around 4 a.m. daily, drive to my cart, and set up in the busy city. At first, it stabilized me. However, after four years, I realize I want something different.
Daily operations can be overwhelming. After raising prices by just 25 cents, I lost half my customers. I always try to provide a friendly experience, but the pressure is immense. My costs keep rising—$350 for garage space, $1,200 to $2,000 for baked goods, and $200 for propane. By the end of the month, I barely break even.
The main reason I continue this job is my children, aged 7 and 2. I feel like I’m giving them only a fraction of my attention. It’s frustrating. Despite feeling negative at times, I’ve learned a lot about myself through this struggle. It’s all about growth.
One day, I hope to run my own coffee shop. For now, I like experimenting with drinks at home, especially iced Americanos. The economy is tough right now, making it hard to transition. But I stay hopeful for what’s next.
According to Pew Research, 40% of small business owners felt that the pandemic affected their operations significantly. It’s a challenging time, but every struggle teaches us something valuable about ourselves and our dreams.
For businesses in large cities, the hustle can be even harder. The competition is fierce, and customer loyalty can shift quickly. However, I find simplicity in each cup of coffee I serve, hoping to inspire my own café someday.
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