A man from Leeds has started his own mobile coffee business after his family business went under just before the pandemic.
Benji Baker, 43, has opened travelling coffee van Mister Coffee to provide coffee and baked goods to people and events in East Leeds.
Before to the pandemic, Benji had worked for years at Marlene Joyce, his family's clothing retailer. However, he had to change plans when the family business went under.
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Having joined the family business at 18 from school, Benji, from Alwoodley, was faced with having to apply for jobs for the first time.
He had left school with a BTEC in Business and Finance.
He managed to get a position as a restaurant manager at Culto, an Italian restaurant in Meanwood.
After spending 18 months at Culto, Benji developed a love for good coffee.
He further saw there was a demand for coffee and cakes that came straight to people, and decided to purchase his own van outfitted with a barista machine and refrigeration.
Four days ago, he officially opened Mister Coffee, travelling around Colton and Thorpe Park business parks and nearby business parks.
Benji told LeedsLive: "When I left school I went straight into the family business - I never even had an interview for a job before it went under.
"I didn't know anything else but that business or have any experience in catering - but I've decided to give this a go and so far it's going fantastically.
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"I've already being seeing repeat customers just within a day, and I hope to grow that base even more.
"I'm very proud of myself and my family are as well."
The van serves coffee made from an arabica and robusta blend, as well as 12 hot chocolate flavours.. It also has fresh cannoli, pastries, sandwiches and pies. Benji said he plans to bring in smoothies for the summer.
Mister Coffee is available to cater for events, and has already catered for a Macmillan Coffee Morning.
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