Man Lives and Sells Coffee out of his VW Bus
Disclosure: At no additional cost to you, you can support FLORB by using the affiliate links below
Erik Gordon was a climbing instructor who, after five years, was looking for a change. While he still enjoyed his involvement in the climbing community, he started looking more into coffee as a potentially business opportunity. He saw potential in its worldwide appeal and its ability to unite people despite differing backgrounds. This idea of creating a mobile coffee shop for climbers sparked what would become carabiner coffee.
He started off working as a barista in a coffee shop for eight months. It was his first time working in a coffee shop, and it was tHere that he was able to learn the ins and outs that would be essential for him to run a coffee shop of his own. After this he bought a van off of craigslist to convert into his mobile dwelling and storefront.
He’s able to run the operation off of a Goal Zero Yeti 1400 and solar panel that he has mounted to the roof. This runs his lights, sound system, and an electric kettle that he uses to make coffee using an aeropress from coffee beans that he grinds manually.
It was important that the limited space inside the vehicle was multifunctional. His bed easily folds out for when he needs to sleep and night, and tucks away during the day while selling coffee. While he does have a jetboil and a coleman propane stove which allow him to cook in the van, prepared food options at restaurants and grocery stores tend to be his go to. While it might cost more, he finds the convenience to be worth it, especially over trying to cook in such a small space.
Inside the van Erik has a few different keepsakes which really makes the small space feel like home. One of which is a mug that used to belong to his father, who used it while hitchhiking for almost a decade in the seventies. “It's kind of cool to have that... a little legacy between me and my dad of traveling and living on the road.” Another is a tag that he received from a stranger that simply reads "The universe has a message for you. I love you."
The venture hasn’t been without its challenges. When starting out in Breckenridge Colorado, he was unable to get a license due to the number of mobile vendors already operating there. This led him to selling his coffee at scenic lookouts on the outskirts of the community before the forest service told him to leave. After this incident he ended up relocating to Seattle to go through proper licensing.
For Erik, the goal is to live in the moment and to live life to his fullest. “We're all gonna die one day and it might be tomorrow it might be when you're 105, but I would say if you're not living the life right now that you are psyched to wake up and live, change it as soon as possible.” Erik gets to meet all sorts of people that he wouldn’t otherwise, and by living in a van he’s able to tour all over the country while still bringing in an income. While it comes with its own set of inconveniences and stresses, especially with older vehicles like Erik’s VW Bus, he thinks that the tradeoff is worth it.
view Full Video Here:
