Alleah Webb

What is Drifter Coffee?

Drifter Coffee is a mobile coffee shop! We will be travelling around Southeast Michigan selling at different events, markets and storefronts. We’ll be selling locally sourced coffee from roasters that we’ve connected with. We’ll also be selling local baked goods and tea. I’m currently on the hunt for some really good locally sourced hot chocolate.

What was your experience in the Build class?

It was very cool. I really enjoyed just being in an environment where there are other people who are trying to start a business and who know how crazy it is. My classmates were experiencing the same feelings and thoughts that come with being on your own when starting a business. Through that we got to bounce ideas off of each other and introduce each other to people that could help us on our journey.  Build made creating a business plan seem a lot less scary because we broke it down piece by piece. At the end of the eight weeks I had a solid business plan and I got to present it in front of the class and get feedback which was super helpful.

“Build made creating a business plan seem a lot less scary because we broke it down piece by piece. At the end of the eight weeks I had a solid business plan and I got to present it in front of the class and get feedback which was super helpful.”

What are your recent developments?

We just officially launched two weeks ago and were welcomed into scene with open arms. We have been parking all over southeast Michigan in places like Wayne State farmers market, eastern market, downtown Ferndale, Woodbridge and northwest Detroit farmers market. I have been learning a lot and working really hard. This is truly a team effort and I couldn’t have made it this far without the support of my friends and family who are up right and early on the weekends helping me serve coffee and keeping me sane. We are looking forward to testing out the rest of southeast Michigan in the next few months and looking for a spot to call home. Check us out at Berkley Art Bash this Sarurday (6-13) in downtown Berkley.

What is your long-term vision?

First, I’d like to enjoy the mobile aspect of the business and do events for a few summers and figure out some winter activities too. I decided to start with a mobile shop because I don’t really know where I want to be yet.  My longer-term goal is to find a neighborhood or area where I most fit in and where I have a good customer base, then purchase a building and set up a permanent coffee shop. That’s been my journey and my dream.