Wheely Good Coffee – The Story

This is a big story that is still unfolding. But if you’re curious, here it is.

When I was in university I had a goal to not become chemically dependent on caffeine. I would occasionally have an energy drink during finals or a coffee with a donut, but I made sure it was no more than one a week. When I was in my final semester I decided I would start seeing if I actually like coffee. 

So I went to my favourite coffee spot in Springfield, Missouri – The Hub (Now called Kingdom Coffee). The Baristas there were all intelligentsia  trained. They used only the best beans and took it all very seriously. I, of course, knew what none of this meant at the time. I simply liked the environment to study in. The first time I decided to try a coffee from the shop I had no idea what to order. So I did what I still do to this day when I don’t know what I want, I asked for a surprise.

The first drink they made me was a Mocha. It was delicious. They used actual chocolate, melted and mixed expertly with steamed milk and espresso. It was banging. This made me very excited to try more coffee. The next week I did the same again. They made me a cappuccino. It was like a coffee flavoured marshmallow. Less chocolate, but still delicious. The third week, same again – One surprise please!

Then they brought me a plain black coffee…. oh… I don’t even like coffee, I Thought to myself. But I tried it anyway. When I sipped it I experienced things I had never experienced before in a cup of coffee. It was fruity and floral with hints of chocolate. There was no sugar in it and yet it was sweet and balanced. It was delicious. I abandoned my studying for the day and peppered the baristas with questions about how it tasted so good when it was just plain coffee. They used a lot of words I didn’t understand at the time but I pretended to know what they meant. Every time I would go back  I would ask more questions, and that began my entry into the world of coffee.

A bit later a new coffee spot opened, Brick and Mortar. Brick and Mortar was a roaster and the founder at the time had a vision to elevate coffee to the level of wine. Where the growing conditions are taken into consideration with how the coffee is roasted to bring out the unique flavours in beans. I spent so much time there learning all about the different brewing methods, roasting, and tasting. It was the first and only time I’ve ever overdosed on caffeine, mostly thanks to their nitro cold brew.

Brick and Mortar really opened my eyes to the complexity that is the coffee world and what goes into not just crafting the drink, but the growing and roasting. Then we moved away from there and I got a real life job. I travelled all over the world and finally settled in Bedford. I bought my first home espresso machine in 2019 (Rancilio Silva). That began my study into espresso. I was only making it for me, but I am tough critic. 

After I left my “real life” job, I ended up at Real Coffee in Bedford on their opening day. And their second day. And their third day. On that third day it was the first nice day of the year and they were completely slammed with only two people working, one of whom, turns out, was the owner. I heard him say, “I’ve got to go, I’m already late. Can you handle this?” The queue was near to the door. I thought I would offer to help with the rush and asked, “Do you guys need some help?” He asked, “Can you make those drinks?” pointing to the menu. I said yes and he said get back there. I washed my hands and started making drinks. I eventually became the head barista and trained the staff there.

A friend of mine knew I had a decent home espresso set up and asked if I could make coffee for the opening of the Bedford Family Hub. I was at a time in my life where I was saying yes to whatever came my way and said yes. That was the first Wheely Good Event. I served about 40 coffees over 3 hours on a home machine and had incredible feedback. My wife designed my logo and business cards. Then I got a call from YMCA asking about a youths training event. Then more and more kept coming my way.

It finally got to the point where I needed to either focus on Real Coffee or Wheely Good Coffee. I decided I would step out in faith and see what happens. I had an investor cover upgrades so I could do bigger events. The same day I purchased the new machine and grinder I received a call from Florida at about 8pm. I answered and it was Universal Studios. They had found my card at Say Donuts and I was invited to make coffees for the opening of their new offices in Bedford.

It was my first event with the coffee cart you see in the photos. I designed it with my friend Mark and we built it. Okay, it was mostly Mark. I helped where I could.