18 Months to Something Real
The Plan.
From first sale to brick-and-mortar — here's exactly how Cheep Coffee gets built, phase by phase, month by month. No fluff. Just the work.
From first sale to brick-and-mortar — here's exactly how Cheep Coffee gets built, phase by phase, month by month. No fluff. Just the work.
Roaster hunting starts at M5 — good partners have waitlists, so early outreach is critical. By M12, Cheep Coffee-branded product is live alongside resellers. Margins improve substantially. This is where the brand becomes real.
Credit unions and SBA loans typically want 12+ months of business financials. That's why fundraising is scheduled for M13–18 — right after the Cheep brand launch gives us a stronger story.
The roadmap assumes Phase 1 generates enough revenue to self-fund Phase 2 product development. If reseller sales are slower than hoped, Phase 2 slides — and Phase 3 with it.
Two founders is tight for Phase 3. A bookkeeper, marketing helper, and store manager will all be needed before grand opening — none of that is budgeted yet.
Two founders is the right size for Phase 1 and most of Phase 2. But Phase 3 — real estate, permitting, financing, hiring staff — demands more hands. Here's what the team needs to look like and when.