It is everyone’s first stop—grab the morning coffee and head to work. A pair of Oklahoma Christian University graduates have put their foot in the door in one of the most competitive service industry markets.
Husband and wife duo Andrew and Angela Morton, members of Oklahoma Christian’s 2005 graduating class, are the owners and operators of AM Donuts and Coffee—a food truck located in Springfield, MO.
In a recent interview with the Talon, Angela Morton discussed the hardships, successes and day-to-day operations of their small business engulfed in an increasingly popular industry.
Q: How did you get involved in the food truck business?
We had a dream of opening a donut-coffee shop that resembled one Andrew enjoyed in his hometown—Newton, KS. We were not excited about the cost or time investment that comes along with a brick and mortar donut-coffee shop. So the dream was put on hold until I went on a trip to New York City and visited a donut shop with a machine that could be mobile and could instantly make donuts. I told Andrew about it in an innocent little text message, but within a few months we had a machine of our own and the food trailer became a reality. Andrew is a full-time teacher so the idea of having a side business that had flexible hours where we could work on weekends and during the summers seemed super fun.
Q: What are a few things you know now that you wish you knew when you first started operating AM Donuts and Coffee?
Well, neither of us are number people, so I wish we would have kept better spreadsheets. But I wish I had more confidence and peace in knowing that God was guiding our decisions and situations. There is definitely a lot of room for anxiety and a lack of patience in owning your own business. But with prayer and seeking wisdom from Scripture and Christian influences in your life, you can have so much more peace about the everyday concerns.
Q: What advice would you give Oklahoma Christian students who want to follow a similar career path?
Consider your location. Talk to others who own food trucks in your area and see what their concerns are as far as events verses consistent locations, where is the best foot traffic, weather, busy times of year, slow times of year. Keep your start-up costs low by buying used equipment. Pick your niche and stay in it. And be kind and create relationships with the current food truck owners in your area.
Q: What are a few aspects of your job that are most enjoyable?
Hands down the most enjoyable part is the people—getting to know really awesome people that we would have otherwise never met. I love the creative aspect of coming up with new seasonal and special items as well.
Q: How do day-to-day operations work, and how do you manage the demands of the food industry?
On Saturdays we attend either special events or our local farmers market—we’ve done that the past three years which typically consists of three to five hours of preparation. We have recently opened in a consistent location Tuesdays through Fridays—adding the location has definitely increased the amount of prep time. We make all of our donut batter, sugars and glazes from scratch. We now have employees, which has been a huge blessing, but is also another aspect of management that needs to be done. Social media is also a huge part of our business because we are mobile. It has to be kept up to date and on trend. The demands are high and the pressure to have a quality product every single time you hand something out the window is high, but the love for the business, the people we serve and the products we produce is what keeps us going.
Q: How do you separate yourself from an increasingly competitive industry with powerhouses like Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks?
We don’t try to compete with them. Our donuts are very original and reminiscent of homemade donuts many people have equated with their mom and grandma’s donuts. It just warms my heart when someone says that. But we just make the best and consistent product possible. We will never “out-donut” them or “out-coffee” them, but I believe God blesses those that follow their calling and do it with enthusiasm and integrity.
0
0
Be First to Comment