Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Leonard.
Sarah, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
How it all started? So many roads led me here. I started my career life at a coffee shop. I worked my way up to a manager and really fell in love with the life of a barista. I went on to graduate college and get a “real job”. I loved it but there was still something missing. I stayed in it and moved up the corporate ladder until we moved to San Diego to be closer to family. It was starting all over down here. I got into another corporate job that I still do and love but there was always a part of me wanting more. I started thinking that there has to be a way to incorporate my love of the coffee shop life without being a brick and mortar store, as I love to travel. That is when it hit me that a coffee shop on wheels is what needed to happen. It took about a year from start to finish, and a lot of support and help from my husband, but here we are, now running Coddiwomple Coffee, an organic coffee shop that travels all of San Diego and California.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I think it has been a relatively smooth road BUT it took longer than expected. I guess it also depends on what smooth is. Opening this business is nothing that I feel I could of planned for. Because every step of the way there was something that came up that I didn’t expect, or if I did expect it, the outcome was not as planned. There was a lot of times we had to change our decision or come up with a decision on the fly. But those times only prepared me for what was to come once we took our trailer to the streets! The best advice I can give is if you have you an idea or dream, don’t hesitate and just go for it. There will always be a reason or time that is holding you back or reason to stop. But if there is a will, there is a way. Don’t let the fear or reasons get in your way and enjoy every step of the journey because you are doing something great! Also never stop believing in yourself because sometimes you might be the only one who does!
What should we know about Coddiwomple Coffee? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Coddiwomple Coffee is an organic coffee shop on wheels. We travel all of San Diego and eventually would like to take it on a road trip around the states. Coddiwomple means to travel with a purpose towards a vague destination. We are traveling to deliver goodwill and coffee and we don’t have an end destination. We are enjoying the journey! We usually have a set route during the week and keep the weekends open for events and festivals. What sets us apart from others that it is family owned and operated, we use a local delicious organic coffee roaster, and we serve out of a unique vintage trailer! I am most proud of how this vision has come to life, and the following that we have gotten in the short six months we have been open.
What do you feel are the biggest barriers today to female leadership, in your industry or generally?
The biggest barrier I found when starting this is that many people did not believe or have confidence in what I wanted or said. I think it is hard for women to stand up for themselves with being labeled as something that they are not. I also think it is the labels that society has put on females and what our capabilities are. I do fell lucky that in the industry I went into (coffee) everyone has been supportive without putting limitations on me, but that still did not make it easy, because as a society, there is still pressure on women being in leadership roles and entrepreneurs.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 760-514-6149
- Email: coddiwomplecoffee@yahoo.com
- Instagram: @CoddiwompleSD
- Facebook: Coddiwomple Coffee
Image Credit:
Lindsay Gag
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