Here Jane Ewing tells us more about her Really Awesome Coffee journey began, and how it has been going since she launched her Really Awesome Coffee van in Basingstoke.
Please tell us a bit about yourself and what you were doing prior to becoming a Really Awesome Franchisee?
My career has mainly been spent in retail, but I’ve also worked in hospitality and logistics. Most of this has been as a Regional Manager capacity at Toys’R’Us and prior to joining Really Awesome Coffee at Card Factory where I covered 30 sites across the South.
Outside of work I’m a keen runner, and a member of my local running club. I run mainly 10Ks and Half-Marathons now I’m getting on a bit, but I have completed the Brighton marathon.
I love traveling, am married to my wife Jen and we have a cute little dog called Aero.
Why did you decide to run your own business and why Really Awesome Coffee specifically?
I planed to retire in just under 5 years, and wanted something that would take me through, away from the stress of the corporate world.
Probably similar to many, I love coffee so a coffee van was an ideal fit! I originally approached Really Awesome Coffee around 2020 but decided it wasn’t quite the right time to make the move. I enquired again in 2024 and embarked on my journey!
I chose a franchise as I wanted to have the back up support for launching a new business. The virtual presentation and day up at HQ gave me all the information I needed to feel it was the right thing for me and for me to make the decision to join.
Tell us a bit about your training at Head Office and your business launch.
Training was great! Matt – the in-house, expert barista and Franchisee Trainer – was absolutely brilliant. I felt it was relaxed and at probably the right speed to take everything on board.
The business launch was equally good and felt well supported by Hospitality Support Officer, Andy. I didn’t really have any major concerns other than remembering how to make all the drinks! But by the end of the two weeks’ support I felt really comfortable with everything.
I had a very positive reaction from customers particularly in relation to the look of the van and the quality and taste of the coffee!
How have you found the ongoing training and support?
Ongoing training and support overall has been fine. Andy was great though the initial period, and James and Leo were also supportive when out with me over the scheduled visits.
Head Office has been very helpful and great at looking into things and coming back to you.
What is the most invaluable piece of advice you could give someone looking to invest in their first franchise?
I would say speak to a few franchisees to find out the positives and negatives and what is really involved not just on the serving part of the day but outside of that.
I was also a bit naive on the extra time needed for cleaning, ordering, sorting supplies etc which I think you might want to be aware of . It’s much quicker once you get into a routine.
