Today we’d like to introduce you to Brianne Bugbee.
Hi Brianne, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started dreaming up Retro Grinds in 2019 after having my second son. I had been in Management for Trader Joe’s for 15 years. After having 2 boys, 20 months apart in age, my life priorities changed drastically. I wanted to be a mom that got to raise my children. I couldn’t handle the idea of working so someone else could be with my kids. My wife was very instrumental in dreaming up Retro Grinds Coffee. She was constantly coming up with ideas for me to be able to walk away from my corporate job and find something else.
When I was younger, I worked in and later managed ChocO’bean Coffee in Mission Viejo, CA. I had also worked at Starbucks during and after college. When it was my turn to dream up my own coffee shop, on wheels, I had a good idea of what I wanted it to be. And so it began….
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There were initial challenges of course. Finding the right spots to set up at, getting enough foot traffic, building a loyal clientele, and just basic business challenges.
Retro Grinds Coffee was in business in 2020…just in time for the pandemic. We were blessed to find our way into several Farmers Markets in Orange County, CA. Our business was booming during our 3 years in CA.
In Dec 2022, we moved to middle TN. The transition was rough in the beginning. My espresso machine broke during the cold winter along with almost all of the water lines. That was an extremely expensive start to rebuilding the business. Water expanding when frozen was something I never had to think about it CA. Lesson learned, the hard way. The climate is also a concern for business. Is it too cold for the waterlines or is it 110 degrees and humid as all else.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I have done my best to produce the best product I can. I take great pride in providing top of the line ingredients that you can taste in the end result.
Of course we offer all of the Classic Coffee beverages that we all know and love, but I have created Specialty Drinks that are unique to Retro Grinds.
What matters most to you?
I will always strive to meet and exceed expectations. We will customize and drink to your liking and we make sure you are happy with what you have gotten. I think the best compliment that I can get is when someone leaves and then returns to let me know that this was the best coffee they had ever had. It doesn’t get any better than that!
When you walk up to Retro Grinds Coffee, you can feel the vibe and energy that we exude. We see the scene for a fun experience.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: RetroGrindsCoffeeCo
- Facebook: Retro Grinds Coffee
