Hitch Hiker Coffee—help us get our coffee trailer!

Bringing together communities & creating authentic connections one cup of coffee at a time! 
Help Hitch Hiker Coffee Trailer reach our Summer 2023 opening goal! 

• Located in West Michigan
• Locally owned & operated :)
• Supporting other local businesses 
• Representing sober women and the recovery community/giving back to AA programs 

Hitch Hiker Coffee is a soon to be traveling coffee trailer. One of my main goals is to simplify the craft coffee experience for customers. 

When starting a business it is easy to get carried away, and want to do it all.   Envisioning Hitch Hiker Coffee in phases helps me get a clearer picture of my present and future goals as my business grows. While my main focus of Hitch Hiker Coffee is the coffee, I am also planning on having convenient snacks, one of those being trail mixes.  Trail mix is ideal because there are multiple combinations and styles we could create.

In the area I am located we have two local coffee shops and also two more well known franchise shops.  All of these establishments have been successful in our community, but do not offer the flexibility or versatility that Hitch Hiker Coffee does.  Being mobile gives us the availability to serve a large array of communities, while also having the option to attend a variety of events in different parts of the area.  Food trucks and trailers have been becoming increasingly more popular where we live, but none of them specialize or serve espresso, coffee, tea, or other crafted beverages.  I believe this allows us to stand out and be a huge asset to the community.

In the beginning stages of opening I would like to primarily attend events, private and public, to help get our name out there and start to build a customer base.  It is important to me that my customers be able to recognize Hitch Hiker Coffee, to feel familiar and welcomed wherever we may be.

Ludington, Michigan and a lot of the other nearby towns are very popular tourist locations in the summer months.  We are known for our State Park, beaches, sand dunes, the Lake Michigan Car Ferry, and so much more.  Being a prime spot in the warmer seasons a lot of the towns pack in as many events as possible; art fairs, farmers markets, festivals, athletic races, and concerts.  This is when I plan the peak of my business taking place.  

 When developing Hitch Hiker Coffee, it was necessary for me to find other companies that aligned with my values and vision.  We have many local harvesters, dairy farms and businesses that would be able to provide us with fresh and seasonal products.  When brewing my coffee it is important to me to be passionate about the product I am using, and confident in my knowledge about it.  The origin of the bean, farmers, and roasters, are all crucial components of owning a coffee business.  

Hitch Hiker Coffee is aiming to be open by Summer of 2023.  I have been working extremely hard on achieving this goal.  I will officially be stepping away from my current job in October, giving me extra time to focus on Hitch Hiker Coffee.  To make this possible I need help funding the beginning start up expenses of my business.

I am hoping to raise enough money to be able to purchase my trailer. This is a huge part of the business, without it there is no Hitch Hiker Coffee.  I have researched many different avenues when it comes to purchasing a trailer, and they all have their pros and cons. After much consideration, I have decided to purchase a trailer that is started, but still needs the finishing touches.  I have found trailers that have great bones with all of the main necessities installed.  This would free up more money for getting a reliable trailer while still allowing me to personalize it within the price range I have available.  Being able to raise money, be awarded grants, and personal savings it gives me a great starting point for my business. I can then begin this journey in a good financial place and being able to fully focus on my mission.