Member Spotlight: Kiernan's Coffee

Tom Kiernan launched Kiernan’s Coffee at the tender age of 19 after dropping out of his animation course at university in Manchester. The young entrepreneur had previously worked 66-hour weekly shifts on a food production line and grew tired of watching other people reap the rewards of his hard work. With a dream and a strong desire to learn, Tom sourced a vintage horsebox for conversion and got to work making his business get off the ground.

We caught up with Tom to talk through the process and what he learned from it.

Background to the business

I had no real direction when I left school on what I wanted to do and so I enrolled into university, but after three months, I just knew it wasn’t right for me. I wanted to get out there and make some money and I wanted a customer facing job where I’d be able to travel round to different locations. I loved the idea of a horsebox. I started trading in December 2023 and have learned many lessons along the way.

A supportive community

The biggest hurdle was getting recognition. I sent hundreds of emails out to event organisers and the lack of response was pretty disheartening. I was really struggling to secure a first event, but things really turned round for me when Scott of Good Vibes Coffee in Suffolk reached out with an opportunity to do a corporate event. It was absolutely incredible and I was asked back to trade straight away.

Another trader who I’d never met before also reached out to me to offer me an event he couldn’t do. I have been really lucky to have met some really nice people in the same business who just want to help. It’s what makes this industry so special to me; it’s very much a case of collaboration over competition.

It’s a great community of people who just want to help each other out and see small businesses succeed. I’m part of a big coffee group chat whereby if a local trader can’t make an event, they pass it on to someone who can, or they’re happy to lend out equipment or help if needed.

What I learnt as I went along

I really faced some obstacles in the beginning. For one, I was 19 when I launched the business and purchased my horsebox. I’d put down a deposit and was in the middle of sorting out the insurance, when I found out I had to be 25 to drive the truck in order to tow the horsebox. Thankfully, I’ve got a really supportive family who help me get around to events. My sister also invested in the business with me, so, with all their support, I can still manage to get to events.

I began trading at Christmas during the cold weather and didn’t realise I had to remove the water filter at the end of every night of trading. One night, I stupidly left it in the horsebox, so when I turned up to trade the next morning, I found it completely frozen. That was a costly mistake.

I also had to do a rebrand 3-4 months in after another company contacted me to say my business name was too similar. It was a massive hurdle for me as I’d paid for all the branding already, but I met with him and sorted it out. I wouldn’t want to get in the way of another business, so I changed my name to Kiernan’s Coffee. It’s fair to say I faced a few obstacles in the early stages.

Obtaining a conversion company

I knew I wanted to get it professionally converted rather than spend the months learning how to renovate it myself; I just wanted to get out there trading as soon as possible. I did loads of research on conversion companies and in the end, I went with Catering Van Conversions in Peterborough. Jay really impressed me with his knowledge, and I felt very confident investing in his services. He kept me informed at every stage of the design and installation process and it was really lovely to be kept in the loop and be able to decide on such things as where I wanted the fridge, what interior lights I wanted and so on. He did an incredible job and I’m really so pleased with the end result.

Local produce for a local business

Supporting local was a main priority for me. I visited lots of cafés and bakeries before I came across Coffee World UK. They sent a rep called Jake out immediately and he did a fantastic job of explaining the whole process of how the coffee is produced and allowing us to sample it. I didn’t drink lots of coffee before launching, so the whole process really introduced me to the art of it all, and how much skill goes into creating a good cup of coffee. Coffee World supply everything from the coffee, teas and hot chocolate, through to the machines and jugs. They really stood out for me, and I felt safe putting my trust in them to help get the business off the ground.

For cakes, I get them hand delivered from Mark at the Dessert Company from Oakington near Cambridge. It’s so lovely to be working alongside like-minded individuals who share a passion for what they do and just want to deliver the best customer service possible. I’ve really made some great connections and that’s what’s so nice about supporting fellow local businesses.

Joining NCASS was a “no-brainer”

I’d previously heard of NCASS when I worked at the food production site, and they were a huge name everywhere. I knew NCASS would help me stay safe, ensure good hygiene practice and remain compliant. It was incredible from the get-go with the regulation side of the business and documentation, which I knew nothing about. The training courses are really helpful and if event organisers call me with a question that I’m not sure about, I know I can call NCASS and get the information I need. It’s a no brainer joining NCASS and I’d recommend it to anyone.

I’d most like to do a collab with

A fellow Cambridge trader called Manna Seoul who supply the most amazing Korean corn dogs and fried chicken. The owners Ian and Lan started around the same time as me and we’ve built up a lovely, supportive bond. We often attend events that the other is trading at, and their food is just so delicious.

Favourite independent to visit & wind down at

A nearby café called Waffle and Co. and fellow NCASS member actually. Anna and Tori started with a vintage horsebox and have since moved into fixed site. I love their coffee and branding and they’re a constant reminder of what’s possible when you work hard.

In five years’ time…

I’m open minded to new ideas but my main aim is to keep expanding the business, maybe get another horsebox or mobile vehicle and potentially open a café at some point. Work is very seasonal at the moment so it would be great to get consistent work all year round. I’ve hopefully secured a pitch at Wimpole Winter Lights Festival this Christmas with a footfall of 88,000 people over 39 nights. The goal at the moment is to keep pushing forward and continue to deliver first-class service to customers. I am committed to quality, service delivery and try to never promise something I cannot deliver.

Advice to fellow start-ups

Keep at it and enjoy every step of the journey. My philosophy is very much never fear a storm, learn to dance in the rain. You will face setbacks, but you’ll learn as you go and become stronger and better for it. It’s hard work, there are some days where everything seems to be working against you, but keep persevering and you’ll get there. You never stop learning. Take note of those around you; every interaction you have shapes your success.