From Horse Trailer to Coffee Trailer

Someone once told me: “If you want to be part of a group or community, why don’t you invite people out? Invite them for a meal? Create a friendship group of your own?” That way of thinking stuck with me and became a theme in my life. Cup of Kin started with that idea back in my last year of uni, in 2022. I always felt like an outsider, and I dreamed of creating a place where I could belong and build a community of friends.

Shortly after graduating from Leeds University, instead of taking a graduate role, I bought a horse trailer from my neighbour. From that point, everything became real. My dad and I began renovating it, transforming a run-down horse trailer into the coffee trailer you know today. We worked day and night to get it ready. I found a location for our launch, and finally, the day came when I opened the hatch for the very first time — November 2022.

That’s when I truly learned the strength of family. My dad went above and beyond to help me reach my dream. I didn’t just learn practical skills during those renovations — I learned that family will always be there for you. That lesson became the foundation for Cup of Kin: building a community based on support, care, and togetherness. From day one, we were there for each other — and that’s still true now, for our team and for every customer who comes to us.

Those first two weeks in November were amazing, but then came a challenge. After an unfortunate setback, I closed the trailer and went into hospitality work for the winter. I don’t want to dwell on the negative, but I did take away a valuable lesson: there will always be people who make things harder, but it’s important to focus on those who cheer for you. For me, that’s always been my dad, my mum, and my sister — and now that circle has grown so much wider, with so many friends who have supported me over the past three years!

In February 2023, I reopened — this time on a permanent basis at Kingston Terrace in Woodhouse, Leeds. That’s when Cup of Kin really began to find its rhythm. Later we moved to City Square for six months, where we gained popularity and met so many amazing people who still support us today. That is now early 2024 and Since then, our focus has been on events, which has truly strengthened our team. We’ve built incredible memories travelling everywhere — from the Lake District and Northumberland down to Birmingham and London.

I’ve always felt like an outsider, like I didn’t belong. But Cup of Kin makes me feel like I do. Wherever we go to serve coffee, I always find a friend and end up chatting like we’ve known each other for decades. So many people have already joined the Cup of Kin community, and it feels amazing!

And I don’t want to stop here. I want to keep bringing people that warm feeling of a good latte and a chat. Make sure you visit us when we open on 22nd September. Location revealed soon!