Today we’d like to introduce you to Meg Stolt.
Hi Meg, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am coffee snob, sadly enough.
Growing up in a Scandinavian household, coffee was prevalent. Do you know that they have Frokost Kaffe (lunch coffee) and Aftensmad Kaffe (after dinner coffee)? I love tasting and exploring different coffee shops throughout Houston and the country. I was impressed by the business and history of coffee when reading the book, “The Monk of Mokha” by Dave Eggers. It gave me insights on my other business and not operating as a non-profit or expensive hobby, but as a business.
Leo’s Cafe was founded in Memory of Leo, my Maine Coon cat, who passed unexpectedly.
Leo loved to drink coffee, well…the cream off my coffee.
He also loved to travel and explore. When I lived on Cape Cod, Leo would travel with me weekly to my parents home in New Jersey. It seemed fitting to found the coffee store with his name. Leo is survived by Nanuk, Jasper, Sebastian and Lil’Miss Snow. Aeries his other partner in crime, passed several weeks ago. He was 19.
The coffee store embraces an athlete’s lifestyle. The motto is Train, Race, Coffee and Cats. I am a multi-sport athlete and coach and have been able to support the lifestyle through the store by sponsoring OtterTriTeam, SharkAttack at Lake Longhorn as well as April Fool’s Swim at Lake Longhorn.
I am currently writing a ‘puddle’, entitled, Train, Race, Coffee and Cats, that shares some of my adventures along the way.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I am not certain what a smooth road is. Every journey has its highs and lows and bumps in the road, so to speak. As an athlete, I prepare for the bumps or unexpected hurdles along the journey.
As a store without brick and mortar, the immediate challenges surround getting coffee in the hands of people. It’s not like walking through town and seeing a coffee store you have not visited before. I have been creative in this, from using pilot packs (2oz trial size as a business card), to inviting friends to enjoy some coffee to sponsoring various events.
An advantage that without brick and mortar, I don’t have overhead that other coffee shops may.
But that is also a disadvantage. Without brick and mortar, I have to be unique in creating awareness of my business.
I have had to learn social media networking. It has been a process and sometimes, I fail epically. But I am having fun learning and laughing as I go.
I have also created opportunity by sponsoring Shark Attack open Water Swim at Lake Longhorn. Leo’s provided participants with a sample of our Shark Attack Cold Brew Coffee. I also can be found supporting races as a volunteer. I recently worked the finish line at Seabrook Lucky Trails Races. It was exciting handing out medals to the finishers. I enjoy supporting the multi-sport lifestyle through my coffee brand, and look forward to continuing on this path. I am also open to opportunity to share my love of sport and coffee.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Leo’s Cafe is my on-line coffee store.
My work has two facets: endurance coach, and drop-ship coffee store owner. It has been a unique experience combining the two.
As an endurance coach and competitor, I have many stories to tell. From the dumb, to the magnificent. I keep learning to laugh out loud. Life is too short to be so serious and to drink bad coffee.
I am learning to bring the two passions together to have them work in harmony. I am learning how to share the two loves with others.
The coffee is purchased from around the world and roasted in Southern California. Roasting happens at the time of order and is then shipped to you. Beans can be ground for you, although I recommend buying your own grinder. You choose how you roast. This saves time in your day from box coffee shop lines, and provides a fresher roast.
I love that through coffee I can merge my love of multi-sport with my love of coffee and share it with others. The store has given back through sponsorships, and has supported OtterTriTeam. I look forward to continuing to share both loves.
I offer pilot pack’s (2oz trial size/or about 6cups) in which individuals can try various roasts to determine the favorite. This a great opportunity to sample a variety of roasts|blends and share with friends.
Future services|events include participating in pop-ups throughout the city, continuing to sponsor in the world of endurance and multi-sport, sharing brewing techniques, and hosting a course on brewing various coffee blends. The participants receive 12oz of the various blends chosen.
I am excited how coffee will work in harmony with my love of coaching and racing endurance and multi-sport. Maybe I will start gifting my athletes a roast of their choosiing……. hmmmm, that’s a thought.
For your readers, I am offering a discount on their first purchase of 15% off any coffee. Use Code: HiddenGems15
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I was the awkward, quiet kid. I was the tall girl with red hair. I was the fastest kid on the blacktop.
I loved exploring the world around us. I learned to love reading, and you could find my nose in many novels.
I think I learned to enjoy reading because many times I felt like an outsider looking in. I could find myself in those novels.
Well, not much has changed, except my hair has more white in it now.
I have evolved into the young lady I was learning to be then. I am independent and comfortable exploring on my own. I enjoy collecting seashells, and walking the coast. I still love a good novel. I also enjoy visiting my ‘friends’ at the zoo — the otters, the elephants, the flamingos and the Big Cats.
I am a little less awkward, and a little more bold. I am Salty, Splashy, and Shiny.
Maybe, my future holds creations with all the seashells and rocks I have collected along the way.
Pricing:
- 12oz bags begin at $21.99 this includes shipping
Contact Info:
- Website: https://leoscoffeeshop.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leoscafe675
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/leos-coffee-roasted-delivered
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachmeg-triathlon-coffee-nutrition-strength/
