This Eastney mum-of-five followed her childhood dream to start her own speciality coffee business
A LOVE of tasting new and exciting coffee blends caused an Eastney entrepreneur to swap the daily grind for her dream business.
From a young age, Michelle Bailey wanted to start her own business and become her own boss while working in an industry she loved.
Mum-of-five Michelle got her children through their early years, and when her youngest started school in 2017 she decided to set up Quirky Coffee Co, which sells speciality coffee made with 100 per cent arabica beans.
Michelle, 42, said: ‘Obviously I wanted to work in an industry that interested me - I have always had an interest in coffee but in all honesty my level of knowledge when I started this journey was what was on the supermarket shelves.
‘I wanted to find something that really hit the spot. I tried lots and plenty were lovely but I wanted to know more about it.’
Quirky Coffee Co was launched in October 2018, and Michelle has had great fun learning about the science behind it and making unique blends - including her popular Southsea blend, which was first made as a request from someone putting together a gift hamper.
In the early days, humble beginnings saw her children involved with helping to put labels on packaging to support their hard-working mum.
However, as the business continues to grow Michelle hopes to expand further by opening her own premises where people can try her coffee and buy blends they like.
‘It’s been really good fun, it’s such a journey and you never stop learning,’ Michelle told The News.
‘That’s part of the fun of it, experimenting with different blends. I would like a shop front or a tasting lounge for people to come in and discover different things.’
Michelle added: ‘My whole business ethos is I don’t want to be a face behind a computer. I also want to get out and about and sell to local businesses and be on their shelves.
‘If a customer contacts me I will speak to them about what they want. It’s a very one to one personal service which is all part and parcel of what I want my brand to be.’
Visit quirkycoffeeco.com to learn more.