We recently connected with Jana Farrell and have shared our conversation below.

Jana, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What were some of the most unexpected problems you’ve faced in your business and how did you resolve those issues?

There are so many problems we face being a mobile business. My first event ever I was at a farmers market and I thought everything was good to go, lo and behold we are 15 minutes in and things start going awry. The generator kept pulsing in and out causing my electricity to go out and my bunn brewer also wasn’t working properly. We did the best that we could in the moment to tell people what was going on and everyone was super receptive and helpful. We eventually figured out what the issue was later on. We needed a new cord and a new outlet. Other things came before the business was even started. The roof started leaking and needed to be replaced, the cabinets would fall out every time I drove so I had to figure out a way to keep the drawers from breaking every time I drove. What took the longest was trying to figure out how to keep the equipment bolted so it wouldn’t break while driving. It took time to figure out just how to make things operational. Other things like worrying about the weather is a huge hurdle we face. The first year in business my machine broke, because one of the pieces in the machine froze and cracked and needed to be replaced, the second year the water heater exploded and the pipes froze. Without being connected to power it’s hard to keep the trailer insulated enough in freezing temps to make sure things don’t freeze. Another year the tow hitch handle broke off while I was at an event. I had a flat tire once while I was at an event. I got to an event once and my generator wouldn’t start. When I first started I was new to driving a trailer and there were countless times I couldn’t get the trailer detached on my own. I was at my second event and they wanted me to back in to a tiny spot and detach the trailer and I couldn’t. This last year the trailer was broken into and we were robbed. There’s always a chance that equipment might not work properly. I could name a hundred more things that have been unexpected problems, but the number one thing that got me through those times is perseverance and grit. All you can really do in those moments is problem solve and move forward. There will be a hundred more unexpected problems, I’m sure of it. What I’ve learned the last few years of having my business it to be receptive to problems. It’s kind of like how in life you can play many different roles, a wife, a mom, a friend, an employee, a business owner, a coach, etc. Well in business you play many different roles too. Sometimes you are a barista, other times you are a driver, plumber, an electrician, a painter, etc. When you step into the role of being a business owner/operator you are always going to play the role of leader. When problems happen, it’s nobody else’s responsibility but your own to really keep your business alive. I think that’s one of the biggest drivers for me when things happen. To be successful means to not give up even when unexpected problems happen. It has been really hard navigating through unexpected issues. It makes you feel like it’s not worth it to keep going when things keep happening. But every time something happens it’s a new learning experience or skill. I think if you can learn to look at things with a different perspective, it can make all the difference.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Jana (John-Uh), I’m the owner/operator of Cozi Cup Coffee. Cozi Cup is a vintage trailer that has been renovated into a coffee shop on wheels. We offer all kinds of beverages from espresso, lattes, specialty flavors, hot cocoa, smoothies and more. I have worked in the coffee industry for over ten years and finally took the plunge to open up my own business in 2021. I serve the Augusta and surrounding area where I travel to neighborhoods, schools, businesses, markets, or anywhere in need of exceptional coffee. What sets us apart is being able to meet you where you are. We offer not only the best coffee in town, but also a fun and unique set up that will leave you feeling welcome, cozy and inspired. I’m just a girl doing what she loves, serving great craft coffee to a great community. I wear my heart on my sleeve and wake up inspired to serve you each day. When you get a cup of coffee from us it truly is a hug in a mug.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

I’ve worked in the coffee industry for over ten years. I was a barista in Washington state for many years working at local coffee shops and bakeries. While I was going to school there for psychology and sociology I practically lived in coffee shops. I then moved to the South where my husband was stationed and started working again at different coffee shops. After a couple years I became the manager at Barnes and Noble Cafe and then started thinking I wanted to do more, and the mobile idea came to fruition. I then left my job there to start and covid hit. I started working at another coffee shop that had a mobile unit already so that I could job shadow and work again while I got my own business off the ground. I never thought I would stay in the coffee industry. It was always going to be a part time job while my husband was in the military. I thought it could be something I could easily do in case we had to move suddenly. I wanted a job in social services or counseling. But upon graduation I really didn’t want to go back to school quite yet. I finally realized after all the years I had spent working in the industry that I really loved it. After gaining the confidence managing my own team and cafe, it gave me the courage to branch out to doing it on my own. I had acquired all the skills I needed from the years I had spent working in cafes and knew that I could do it on my own. So while I worked locally, I started putting my own business together and eventually after a couple years I had everything I needed to start. It started out slow, I worked part time as a barista and then slowly started taking events with my own business. Eventually I left my job as a barista to jump full time into my own business. I created an instagram and then a website and have been doing so many events in the community and staying consistent with my online presence and that has helped me scale into what Cozi Cup is today. The beauty of being mobile is that we get to continuously meet new people. We are always growing and attending new events. The milestones that make me the most happy comes from the positive feedback that we receive and the customers that follow us at our different locations throughout the week. The fact that we are visited by so many people that love us and continue coming back is priceless and what we live for.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

One of the biggest things that helps build my reputation within my market is having quality products, and a killer work ethic. I am the owner and operator of my business so I show up to every event. I serve fresh house made pastries, select house syrups, locally roasted espresso beans and I try to cater to different communities around the CSRA. Social media has also helped build a reputation. I have an online presence, and I am pretty consistent so that helps build our reputation as well. Great products, great service, and a great work ethic are what drive our business and reputation.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cozicupcoffee.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cozicupcoffee?igsh=MXBiMzZwZmI0MXhhdw==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cozicupcoffee/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/cozi-cup-coffee-grovetown