Still only 19 years old, but Nicole O’Sullivan from Santry has been running her own business for over a year now. ‘Sásta’ coffee trailer was officially up and running since August last year, and is located most weekends at Low Rock, Malahide.
“I’ve always thought about running my own business,” said Nicole. “Business studies was one of my favourite subjects in secondary school, at the Dominican College on Griffith Avenue.”
Nicole noted when Covid restrictions kicked in, she was itching to open a coffee dock then, but her mum Deirdre insisted she finish her Leaving Certificate first!
Sásta is garnering a reputation at markets and music festivals (above Nicole with her dad Padraig at work)
“As soon as I was finished with secondary school, I looked at setting up a coffee trailer. My parents loaned me the money to get started and I’m paying them back, albeit very slowly.
“My dad Padraig ran his own carpentry business for years, but then diversified and went into meditation. He helps me with running the business.
“I’m busy with administration during the week, stock taking, sourcing new venues, finances, etc. We’ve been busy with events and markets in recent months, for example, the weekend before last, we were at Flavours of Fingal and Saturday last, it was the Unison Festival, both events run in collaboration with Fingal County Council.
“We’re hoping to get into more festivals and venues. We also do the Le Zeigest market at Dalymount Car Park which is on the second Sunday of every month.”
“That’s my focus at the moment, to build the business up. I’ve deferred my place in college for Business Studies at NCI as I believe the potential is there to expand the business. We’ve done a few corporate events such as with Santry Credit Union, and with some local schools – there is definitely more business out there.”
The young Santry native added: “But at the end of the day, I want to secure a premises and run a coffee shop 6-7 days a week.
“I’d like to keep the trailer for events and markets but eventually have a chain of coffee shops. And I chose McCabe’s coffee as it’s high end, super quality and a great tasting brand.
“McCabe’s Coffee is based in Co Wicklow and they were really helpful and encouraging when I opened the business. They are all about sustainability, fair trade for workers, etc. We also sell minerals, teas, regular and herbal, toasties – toasted sambos, very popular – snacks, cakes, cookies and treats.”
Watch out for Nicole and her dad at Sásta Coffee trailer in Malahide and at venues throughout Dublin. Not 20 till September next but Nicole O’Sullivan has big plans for the future!
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