Poorboy Coffee Grows to $50,000 Monthly Revenue Two Years After $500 Launch

Brandon Sardi initiated Poorboy Coffee in San Francisco in February 2024 with a $500 investment. His initial setup included a five-gallon cold-brew bucket, a Coleman cooler, and a pop-up spot outside a wine bar. The initial investment covered coffee, cups, a cooler, a storage tote, basic bar tools, and the brewing bucket. A friend supplied and ground the coffee beans, and the first pop-up location was provided free of charge.

The first week of operations saw low sales, totaling around $90 on the initial day, amidst cold and gray weather conditions. Sardi committed to consistent presence and began documenting the journey of bootstrapping a business on social media.

Encouraged by his wife, Sardi shared the unfiltered reality of entrepreneurship online. His content highlighted the less glamorous aspects, such as 80-hour workweeks, slow sales days, mistakes, and even selling personal belongings to sustain the business.

Two years after its launch, Poorboy Coffee has evolved into a multifaceted operation. The company now features three coffee carts, has established wholesale accounts, operates a roasting facility, engages in brand partnerships, and has developed a software platform for caterers. According to Sardi, the business generates roughly $50,000 per month in revenue.

Sardi, 32, had prior entrepreneurial experience, having launched a pasta business in college and later a pizza pop-up. He briefly pursued a career in tech sales but returned to the hospitality sector before starting Poorboy Coffee. He developed an interest in specialty coffee through a friend who owned coffee shops in San Francisco, leading him to found Poorboy Coffee with limited initial capital.

(Source: Business Insider)