Today we’d like to introduce you to Bekah Russom.
Hi Bekah, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My husband and I have been self employed our entire marriage, and building businesses together has always been part of our story.
The Steel Pony actually started with a Facebook Marketplace listing. When we saw it, something clicked. My husband and I met when I was a barista at a little coffee shop in Five Points in downtown Franklin, and ever since then I’ve always dreamed of getting back behind an espresso machine.
At the same time, we saw an opportunity that was about so much more than coffee. We wanted our four kids, Lennon, who will be a senior next year, Ellington, who will be a sophomore, June, heading into 7th grade, and Everly, going into 5th grade, to have a front-row seat to what it really takes to build something from the ground up. We wanted them to witness the sacrifice, the long hours, the financial responsibility, the problem solving, and the people and leadership skills that come with owning a business.
So we took a leap. We bought The Steel Pony, which at the time was simply a lemonade trailer, and decided we were all in.
We started small, serving private events and learning as we went. Before long, we expanded into coffee, partnering with our local sheriff through Narrow Gate to create a custom coffee roast that we absolutely love. As the business continued to grow, we were fortunate enough to find a permanent home in Leiper’s Fork, nestled between Copper Fox and Dwell & Den, a place that has become incredibly special to us.
Today, we’ve just finished building our second trailer, and we’re already searching for the perfect location so we can put it to work…because, if all goes as planned, we’ll be starting on trailer number three before long.
The Steel Pony has become so much more than a coffee trailer. It’s been a family project, a classroom for our kids, and a reminder that sometimes the best adventures begin with a simple Marketplace listing and a willingness to say yes.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The short answer? Absolutely not. 😂 It has definitely not been smooth…but it has been so much fun.
Starting The Steel Pony has been one giant learning experience. We’ve had to figure out how to power multiple espresso machines and heating elements from a trailer, chase down mysterious water leaks, test equipment until we found machines that could keep up with the way we wanted to serve our customers, and learn countless lessons through trial and error.
Behind the scenes, we’ve had to build the business from the inside out. That has meant creating systems for scheduling, event logistics, and team communication so everything runs smoothly, even when life gets busy. We’ve developed recipes, navigated permits and inspections, learned inventory management, and figured out how to order supplies efficiently. (And I never imagined we’d go through as much ice as we do!)
One thing no one warns you about is how quickly a tiny trailer can become complete chaos during a rush. 😂 Keeping such a small space organized and clean while making drinks as fast as possible has been a challenge all its own. We can absolutely wreck The Steel Pony in the middle of a busy event!
One of the biggest challenges has been finding and developing baristas who genuinely love people and fit the culture we’re trying to create. We don’t just want to serve great coffee. We want every person who walks up to our window to leave feeling seen, welcomed, and a little happier than when they arrived.
Even with all the challenges, we’ve been incredibly blessed. Opportunities have come faster than we ever expected. Last year we had the privilege of serving coffee at the Grand Ole Opry, and moments like that remind us why all the late nights, problem-solving, and hard work are worth it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Haha…probably being a little bit of organized chaos.
I can multitask like nobody’s business, which I credit to being the oldest of nine kids and now having four of my own! Put me behind an espresso machine in the middle of a rush, and I’m in my happy place. I love talking to customers while making drinks, and if I can brag on myself just a tiny bit, I’m pretty fast back there.
But my favorite part of my job is creating drinks.
Whenever we travel, I’m the person researching local coffee shops, trying new flavors, asking questions, and taking mental notes. I love seeing what other people are doing and then coming home and asking, “How can we make this feel like The Steel Pony?” I enjoy taking inspiration and putting our own spin on it.
I’ve always loved creating in the kitchen, and this feels very similar. The funny part is that I’m terrible at writing recipes! My instinct is always, “Just add a pinch of this…maybe a splash of that…” which, as it turns out, doesn’t work very well when you’re trying to train a team to make the exact same drink every single time. I’ve had to learn that creativity and consistency have to work hand in hand.
To me, a great drink is about more than coffee. It’s an opportunity to meet someone where they are that day. Maybe they’re celebrating, maybe they’re exhausted, maybe they just need a familiar face and something delicious in their hand. That’s my favorite kind of hospitality.
I love when customers tell me what they like and then give me the freedom to go off menu. “I don’t want it too sweet.” Perfect. “I can’t do much dairy, but I still want cold foam.” Let’s figure it out. “I don’t even drink coffee.” Challenge accepted.
Those moments are some of my favorites because they aren’t just about making a drink. They’re about creating something that feels like it was made just for that person. And honestly, that’s what The Steel Pony has always been about.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
As believers, I don’t know that I’d call it luck. I really believe the Lord has guided our steps and opened doors in ways we never could have orchestrated ourselves.
That said, I understand the question. We have been incredibly fortunate to have owned a successful online business for the past ten years. That business gave us the opportunity to invest in The Steel Pony without taking on the kind of financial risk that many new businesses face. It provided the capital to dream, build, and execute the vision the way we wanted to.
But beyond that, I don’t think businesses are built on luck. I think they’re built by people who are willing to jump in before they have all the answers. You have to be okay getting your hands dirty, solving problems you’ve never faced before, and, honestly, “faking it until you make it” just enough to keep moving forward. Then one day you look back and realize, “Wow…we’ve actually come a long way.”
Starting a business from scratch is hard. There are constant hurdles, unexpected expenses, long nights, and plenty of moments where you wonder how you’re going to figure it all out.
One of the greatest gifts in my life is that I get to build this alongside my husband. He is an incredibly smart businessman with an eye for detail, systems, and strategy. I’m the dreamer who loves people, creativity, and jumping into the next idea. My chaos paired with his finesse somehow works really, really well. We make a great team because we balance each other in all the right ways.
So if I had to answer the question, I’d say it’s been less about luck and more about faith, sacrifice, and perseverance. A willingness to trust the Lord, work incredibly hard, and keep showing up even when you don’t know exactly how the next hurdle will be cleared. Looking back, those steps of faith have become the foundation of everything we’ve built.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Thesteelpony.com
- Instagram: Thesteelponytn
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Steel-Pony-100091366343649/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSteelPonyTN/videos
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-steel-pony-franklin
