4-H teens are receiving hands-on business education and work experience in addition to providing a safe place for all members of the community at Cuppa Jo Java House.

By Dave Radloff

The Intrepid Teen 4-H Club has been in existence for only a short time, but they have already managed to follow their dream of opening a gathering spot where both youth and adults can share in fellowship and good times. The Cuppa Jo Java House officially opened its doors on January 29, 2005.

Cuppa Jo Java is a youth-run small business venture supported by the more than 30 members of the Intrepid Teen 4-H Club and 23 adult volunteers.

Club officers have been onboard with the project since the initial planning stages, which involved finding an appropriate and affordable site, meeting DEQ regulations, and developing a business plan.

The next phase involved generating community support and building the club’s membership to make the project feasible. Under the tutelage of their club leaders, committees were formed and members aggressively pursued numerous grants and donations. Their efforts were successful:

• Besse Forest Products, $2,000
• Daginais Foundation, $1,500
• Hannahville Indian Community, $2,000
• Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, $2,000
• General community donations, $30,000

But raising money was just one side of this successful business story. The youth also had to complete numerous training programs in order to have the skills to actually run the coffee house. Club teens learned about small business administration, customer service, work environment, food service, environmental health, coffee preparation, business plan development, marketing, advertising, liability, hiring, retailing, facility design—even face painting!

Business education and community service are the backbone of this club. Each member is required to be on one of six committees: events and activities, communication, retail and artist of the month, facility management, marketing and advertising, or grant writing and fundraising.

In addition to their committee obligations, members are required to work behind the counter a minimum of four hours per month. The remaining hours are filled by an on-site manager and community volunteers. Club officers meet weekly with the manager to oversee operations. At this time, 23 adult volunteers are providing 90 hours per week and youth members are providing 61 hours per week to maintain their weekly operating schedule.

The Intrepid Teens community service projects don’t stop at the coffee house door. The club has also given back to the community that supports them. Projects in the past year have included:

• Service at American Legion Post community breakfasts and dinners
• Cell phone drive for the Alliance Against Violence & Abuse
• Wheelchair fundraiser for local man
• Grant writing for Masonville Township
• Collaboration with AmeriCorps VISTA members on grant for after-school programs
• Food service at Business After Hours Picnic
• Numerous community and school-based service projects

The short term business goal is to reach $1,200 in weekly sales (their break even point) in their eleventh month of business. This is an aggressive business plan as most new businesses set this goal for the end of their second year. The Intrepid Teens are well on their way. In their third month of business, weekly sales reached over $1,000 and they were one-third of the way to paying off their original investment and making a profit.

Long range plans for the profits from the coffee house include developing part-time paid positions for youth and two 30-hour positions for adults. The remainder of their profits will go back to the community. They want to set up an endowment for nonprofit organizations with an emphasis on youth.

The Intrepid Teens 4-H Cuppa Jo Java House is making a huge impact in Delta County. Members are receiving hands-on business education and work experience in addition to providing a safe place for all members of the community.

The Cuppa Jo is going to flow. The blend of learning and service is as diverse as the coffee selections brewed.