There’s a very specific stage of small business ownership when you want to quit. The dream isn’t growth, freedom, or legacy — it’s a coffee van. Simple menu. Happy customers. Cash in the till at the end of the day. No emails after 3pm.
The Day the Coffee Van Appears
The coffee van fantasy doesn’t arrive on a good day.
It shows up after:
- the third phone call that starts with “Just quickly…”
- the invoice that’s now three weeks overdue
- the supplier price rise you didn’t pass on
- the moment you realise you’ve worked all week and still feel behind
Suddenly, you’re not a business owner anymore.
You’re a barista in your imagination.
And honestly?
It looks peaceful.
Why It’s Always a Coffee Van (Never a Corporate Job)
Have you noticed this?
When business gets hard, no one dreams of:
- a bigger office
- more staff
- more responsibility
They dream of:
- one product
- one price
- one clear transaction
“Coffee. $5. Thank you. Next.”
That’s not laziness.
That’s a craving for simplicity.
The Quiet Thought We Don’t Say Out Loud
The coffee van thought usually sounds like:
“I just want something easier.”
But what it really means is:
- “I’m tired of carrying everything in my head.”
- “I’m sick of reacting instead of deciding.”
- “I’m over being busy without feeling in control.”
It’s not that you hate your business.
You hate the way it currently feels.
The Myth: “I Need a Different Business”
Here’s the uncomfortable truth.
Most people who want to quit don’t actually need a new business.
They need:
- fewer decisions
- clearer priorities
- less noise
- more structure around their effort
The business itself isn’t broken.
The focus is.
The Middle Bit Nobody Warns You About
There’s a phase in small business that sits between:
- the excitement of starting
- and the confidence of mastery
It’s the messy middle.
This is where:
- everything matters
- everything feels urgent
- and nothing feels finished
The coffee van appears right here.
Not because you’re failing — but because you’re stretched.
The One Question That Changes the Week
When the coffee van fantasy pops up, try this instead:
“What’s the one thing that actually matters this week?”
Not ten things.
Not everything.
Just one.
Often it’s something boring like:
- following up invoices
- finishing a quote properly
- saying no to one thing
- clearing one small mess
Momentum doesn’t come from doing more.
It comes from finishing something.
Why Focus Feels Harder Than Hard Work
Hard work is familiar. Focus requires choice.
And choice means:
- deciding what not to do
- disappointing someone
- letting something wait
That’s why we default to busyness.
It feels safer than deciding.
But busyness is exhausting.
Focus is relieving.
The Coffee Van Isn’t the Enemy
Let’s be clear.
There’s nothing wrong with a coffee van.
(They serve an important purpose.)
But when it shows up in your thoughts, it’s not a business plan.
It’s a signal.
A signal that:
- effort is outweighing clarity
- you’re carrying too much
- and it’s time to simplify
Listen to the signal — don’t quit everything.
A Kinder Way Forward
Before you sell the ute and start pricing beans, try this:
- Choose one priority for the week
- Choose one thing to stop
- Choose one small win to finish
Then reassess.
Most people don’t want a new business.
They want their current one to feel manageable again.
If the coffee van has crossed your mind lately, take it as information — not instruction. It doesn’t mean you’re done. It means you need clarity before more effort.
More stories coming soon. Fewer fantasies. More calm.
Behind every great tradie is a smart system that keeps things running smoothly. Get your copy here, Behind Every Great Tradie Book, and discover practical strategies to build confidence and take control of your business.
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