We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ashley Kelly. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ashley below.

Ashley, appreciate you joining us today. Any thoughts about whether to ask friends and family to support your business. What’s okay in your view?

What I’ve found in my business is that people actually WANT to support you! I was surprised with what friends, acquaintances, work colleagues and more came out of the woodwork to rally around me. People came out for my opening party, recommended me to friends and family, repost my stories and constantly offer words of encouragement. Every couple of weeks I like to setup my cart inside my home and invite people in. This is twofold; it provides a people a place to come together in a place safe for families, and they can enjoy a beverage from my cart! It’s a great way for me to get feedback, and I am always astounded by the number of people who come and who bring along friends. At times I wonder if my friends feel as though I’m asking them for money, but when I’ve tried to offer free drinks at various events the common response is a wholehearted , “I WANT to support you!!!”

Ashley, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

For me, coffee was love at first sip. I remember trying my first coffee at the mall stand, a place I would later call my place of work. At 15 I began learning the trade, but I was mostly in love with the free drinks I would receive while on the clock! From that time on, a coffee was never far from my hand. As I grew older, I eventually landed another barista position in the Pacific Northwest, a place known for its incredible coffee.

I distinctly remember walking by a vacant space, pausing at the windows and dreaming, “could I open a bakery & coffee shop someday?” I believe in that moment the dream was planted in my heart. Truth be told, the Pacific Northwest is so saturated with fantastic coffee, I decided to pursue other ventures and quietly came to peace with setting aside my coffee dreams. As time went on, I convinced myself that I was ok being a part of someone else’s dream, that simply working at a coffee shop would be enough for me. Opening my own business would be, “too hard.” At the heart of it, I was simply scared.

I spent the next 9 years having and raising my babies. I worked a few small etsy shops to fulfill my creative outlets, and spent hundreds of hours dreaming of what I could do once my kids were a little older. Early 2022, I decided to skip church one morning in favor of sitting alone at my favorite coffee shop with my Bible. I was needing some really quiet quiet time!! When I started to pray, I felt the presence of the Lord across from me, as if He was sitting there with me. I realized that during all those years I stayed home, my meeting time with the Lord was over coffee. He began to deposit a vision in my heart for a place of gathering. I felt as though He called to life a dream that I had long since set aside. One thing I have learned over the last year is that God’s dreams for us are always bigger than what we dream for ourselves. I was ok setting aside what I truly wanted because at the heart of it was fear. God calls us to push through fear and step into our purpose. Even though starting a coffee business was one of the biggest professional steps I have ever taken, at least I can say, “I’ve started.”

With the encouragement from a friend, I decided to start a mobile coffee cart as opposed to a shop or trailer. This business gives me the most time with my family, as I am still unwavering in my desire to be fully present for my kids who are currently 5, 8 & 9. My husband and I were able to fund this business entirely, which doesn’t tie me to a bank or investor. Plus, I don’t have to park outside establishments. With the cart I can wheel right in and serve people where they are at. The cart I have is equipped with beautiful commercial level equipment so no quality is compromised, it truly is the coffee shop experience come to you!

This little business has been such an adventure. Nothing makes me happier than when someone comes up with a smile on their face, in awe and excitement for the drink they’re about to receive. It is so fulfilling when they love their drink! A labor of love that has truly taken years to come to fruition. Each month we’re open I’m learning and growing, saving up and focusing on what the Lord has for my business next!!

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Heritage House is my sixth business in 10 years. After graduating college I realized I was actually passionate about business! I started my first etsy store and was able to quit my job within the year. I spent the next 8 or so years hustling on Etsy, driven purely by intuition and zero business training. I remember spending so much of my time fixating on other sellers who were in our same space. We had created some new items at the time and it seemed like everywhere I turned someone was ripping off our idea, name, or photos. It was infuriating and I spent so much time being frustrated and trying to figure out how to stay on top. When I felt the pull to start this coffee business one thing I totally surrendered to was being led by my flesh. I submitted to owning a kingdom business, a business entirely inspired by the Holy Spirit. For me this means when I need ideas, advice, help, or growth strategies, I pray. When I go out to another business for coffee I compliment their menu. When another mom opens a coffee cart I tell her what a great job she did stepping out and taking a risk! I no longer feel the need to strive, hustle or prove myself. I still put a great amount of time into what I do, but I also have faith that God will lead people to my website who want to hire me. It has taken a tremendous load off me to “keep up” or wrack my brain for a totally unique business. I wait for the inspiration to hit me and then I act on it. And if someone copies me directly, I am free to tell them what a great job they’re doing without feeling threatened!

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I am someone who hates being on her phone. If it weren’t for my business, I would have gotten rid of social media entirely!! Unfortunately, in this day and age, it is a huge tool in marketing yourself and isn’t something I would ever tell people to set aside. We grew our Instagram through giveaways or encouraging people to engage. I am not the most consistent, but I try to post thoughtful photos and invite people to answer a question like, “have you ever tried this drink?” or “what is your favorite fall flavor?”

TikTok is a new beast to me! I realized that my favorite videos were the ones where I could learn something. I started making little reels about how to make this or that drink. When I posted a 1 minute video of me assembling my coffee cart though, I hit 80,000 views in less than 24 hours!! It was at that moment I realized people were desperate for information about how to run a business like this. I received emails and messages asking me so many questions about where I got my cart, how much did it cost to fund, where I order my supplies and more. Now I try to focus my tiktok reels on building community in this niche mobile space, answering questions on the “how” of it and inspiring people to follow the vision in their hearts!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.heritagehousecoffeeco.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heritagehouse_coffeeco/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=heritage%20house%20coffee%20co

Image Credits
Milk & Honey Photography-Kellye French