From One to Five Shops: The Real Story Behind T&T

From a single dream to 5 local boba shops! Tea & Tea's owner, Kao, shares the real story of the beautiful disasters and big lessons learned along the way. Get inspired!

From Dream to MIni Boba Empire: How I Opened 5 Tea Shops in 4 Years

Kao Khamphilavong, owner of Tea & Tea, shares his journey from boba lover to successful entrepreneur. Learn from his mistakes and discover how to open your own bubble tea shop. Plus, find a Tea & Tea location near you!

Lessons Learned Opening My First Boba Shop (And How You Can Avoid Them)

Kao Khamphilavong here, owner and and your friendly neighborhood bubble tea consultant. Let’s really dig into the story of how I went from a single dream to five thriving locations. I want to give you the nitty-gritty, the real deal behind building my boba empire.

That first shop on 72nd Ave? Man, that was a crash course in entrepreneurship. I thought I knew what I was getting into, but boy, was I wrong. It was like learning to swim by being thrown into the deep end – a little terrifying, but I came out stronger.

1. The Startup Costs: Where Did All My Money Go?

Let’s be real, I was naive. I had a rough estimate, but I didn’t account for the hidden costs. Permits alone were a nightmare – the paperwork, the waiting, the fees! And then there were the contractors. I got three estimates, like I should have, but I still ended up going with the middle option, thinking it was a good compromise. Turns out, the cheapest estimate wasn’t necessarily the worst, and the most expensive didn’t guarantee quality.

Lesson: Don’t just get estimates, understand them. Ask questions. “What’s included?” “What’s not?” “What are potential hidden costs?” And don’t be afraid to negotiate. I learned that you can often get better deals if you’re willing to shop around and ask for them.

2. The Grand Opening: A Beautiful Disaster

I remember that day like it was yesterday. The line stretched down the block, people were excited, and I was running around like a headless chicken. We had one cash register, and the poor thing was overwhelmed. Our boba cook was a champ, but even he couldn’t keep up with the demand. And that AC fiasco? Turns out, the installers had wired it wrong. It was like a sauna in there!

Lesson: Practice makes perfect. We should have done mock rushes during our soft openings. We should have had more registers, more staff, and a better system for managing the flow of customers. And always, always double-check your equipment.

3. Opening in November: My Calendar Betrayal

I was so focused on getting the shop open that I didn’t pay enough attention to the calendar. I was so excited to be open, I didn’t think about the winter slump. I just thought people would drink boba all year. I was wrong.

Lesson: Research your industry’s trends. Look at historical sales data, talk to other business owners, and plan accordingly. If you know you’re going to have a slow season, build a marketing plan to combat it.

4. The Cash Reserve: My Financial Lifeline

I had some savings, but I didn’t have enough. I was so focused on the initial investment that I didn’t think about the ongoing expenses. Rent, payroll, supplies – it all adds up, and it adds up fast. There were nights I lay awake wondering how I was going to make payroll.

Lesson: Don’t just save for startup costs. Build a detailed financial model that projects your expenses and revenue for at least the first year. And pad your cash reserve. You’ll thank yourself later.

5. The Pandemic: My Moment of Truth

The pandemic was a gut punch. One day we’re open, the next we’re closed. It was terrifying. But it also forced me to be creative. We quickly set up online ordering and partnered with delivery services. We created DIY boba kits for people to make at home. We stayed connected with our customers through social media.

Lesson: Be adaptable. Be resilient. And never underestimate the power of community. Our customers supported us through the pandemic, and I’ll be forever grateful.

Building Tea & Tea wasn’t easy, but it was worth it. I learned from my mistakes, I adapted to challenges, and I never gave up on my dream. And now, I want to share that dream with you. Come visit us at any of our five locations. We’ll be waiting with a delicious cup of boba and a smile.

Ready to Start Your Own Boba Journey?

I’ve poured all the knowledge from my journey—the hard-won lessons and secrets to success—into our Tea & Tea Boba Academy. If you’re dreaming of opening your own shop, we offer consulting and hands-on training to help you avoid the mistakes I made and build the boba business you’ve always wanted.

Check out our Boba Tea Academy to learn directly from us!