Mama Biz: Cups Canteen
Welcome to our first-ever Mama Biz blog post, where we’ll be shining a spotlight on Mama-powered businesses in the Geelong/Surfcoast/Bellarine Peninsula region.
We’re super excited to share our first Mama, Steph, mum of 2 and owner of the popular Cups Canteen in Mount Duneed. Steph shares the journey to making Cups Canteen the community staple it is, all whilst juggling motherhood.
Let’s hear from Steph:
Tell us about Cups Canteen:
We are a permanent pop-up café in Mount Duneed. We have the best coffee, delicious home-made cakes and a delicious menu.
What 3 words describe your business?
Coffee, Community, and Cakes!!
Can you tell us about your journey to getting here:
I’m a pastry chef, and I had always dreamed of having a Kombi Coffee Bar! This is how we started our café 3 years ago. I just loved the idea of having an amazing vintage Van, that would give me some independence to start my own business.
When Craig, my Hubby, and I moved to Mount Duneed, we knew that there was a need for a great cafe!
Our first weekend in September of 2020 was wet, windy and Cold! I was making all the coffees and Craig was serving customers, and we had a 30 minute wait! We sold out of coffee and called our supplier for more to be able to open on the Sunday, and cakes, and I was up until midnight baking more for the next day. Did I mention I was 5 months pregnant at the time? We then took a risk, quit our jobs and started working full-time in our own business from the first week. We have just grown and expanded since then!
I’ve always dreamed of doing what I do now. I love creating cakes, and bringing people happiness through the simple things of day to day. I feel we really capture this at our Café. We do great coffee, delicious cakes and genuinely love our community.
How does a ‘normal’ day look for you?
Is there ever a normal day? Honestly, two days are never really the same! I’m keeping up with our active toddler Owen, who is larger than life, and always on the go. I’m currently on maternity leave with our gorgeous daughter Charlotte, 4 months. However, I’m still involved in the day-to-day running of the café behind the scenes, and doing the daily bake for the café. I love to keep active so I head out for a walk most days, often with both kids and dog in tow. I also use my time off to enjoy catching up with friends, exploring Geelong and the surf coast food and coffee scene. I must say life is very busy, we don’t get much down time, but I wouldn’t be running the café if I didn’t love it, and love the sense of community it brings to the Mount Duneed area.
What’s your favourite thing to with your little ones?
I love taking Owen to new playgrounds, and for walks along the beach, Charlotte comes along in the Carrier for our little adventures. I love seeing how their minds work, and showing them the world. I also love taking Owen down for Bubbachinos to the Café, and running into fabulous friends and customers for a chat and catch up. Everyday with them is the greatest blessing and brings be so much joy and happiness!
Connect with Cups Canteen:
Insta: @cups_canteen
