LEBANON, VA – SEPTEMBER 4, 2024 – When Ellie McGlothlin opened her new small business — Shaka Latte, LLC, a mobile coffee business based in Lebanon, VA — she had one simple goal in mind: to create a shop with “world class coffee to go.” The mobile shop is now set up weekly at the Lebanon Farmer’s Market and posts its schedule of other locations on its Facebook page.
Shaka Latte, LLC is a recent recipient of a $10,000 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) Seed Capital Matching Grant. Seed capital grants are funded from regional funds received by VCEDA which are paid by the natural gas industry.
“Shaka Latte, LLC, offers a service to the community through its local coffee truck and has plans to grow the business and to open a brick and mortar location,” said Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA executive director/general counsel. “The business projects three full-time and six part-time employees within five years.”
McGlothlin noted it was during her time volunteering at a local church that her dream to own her own coffee truck began to take shape. She decided to complete her senior year through homeschooling, freeing up time to work as a barista at a nearby coffee shop. There, she said, she honed her craft in creating exceptional coffee and gleaned valuable insights into the operation of a successful coffee business. Armed with knowledge, experience and a strong work ethic, she noted in her application for funding, she saved up her earnings to turn her dream into reality. At the age of 17, she debuted Shaka Latte at her first event.
The Shaka Latte menu today includes freshly brewed hot coffee drinks including those from a regular cup of coffee to espressos, cappuccinos and lattes; cold brews; Lotus energy drinks with a splash of strawberry, mango or peach; lemonade, tea and Italian sodas; ice cream; and pastries from Salt and Honey Bakeshop in Abingdon, VA.
Ingredients, she said, are sourced locally when possible and include those from Nash Creamery, a past VCEDA seed capital grant recipient. Add-ons are available to customize coffee drinks and customers can choose from whole milk, oat milk, almond milk and half and half.
The hours the coffee trailer is open depends on the event, but for most pop-ups, McGlothlin said the hours are 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“The seed capital grant definitely gave me a lot of comfort and the ability to do more of what I want to do with the coffee trailer to start,” McGlothlin said. “It really meant a lot to me.”
McGlothlin plans to use the grant for new equipment and toward establishing a brick and mortar location. She is already looking at several places now.
She worked with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Mountain Empire Community College (MECC) in developing her application to VCEDA and received a letter of support from the Russell County Industrial Development Authority.
“Ellie’s commitment to delivering the highest quality coffee and products is set to grow with the opening of a brick-and-mortar location,” said Becki O’Quinn-Purdie, SBDC director at MECC. “While dedicated to serving her local community, Shaka Latte is expanding its presence throughout the region to build its brand. The MECC SBDC enjoyed working with Shaka Latte on their VCEDA Seed Capital fund application and witnessing Ellie’s passion firsthand.”
“The Russell County IDA is excited to see our youth’s dreams come true,” said Russell County IDA Executive Director Ernie McFaddin. “We are happy to support Ellie in her adventure to expand her business. Her business model of supporting other local businesses only allows the community to continue to grow and expand. Shaka Latte is a business that exemplifies the intent of the VCEDA Seed Capital Grant. We wish Ellie and Shaka Latte the best of luck.”
Shaka Latte, LLC may be found on Facebook, or may be reached by calling 276-344-8384.
About Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority and Southwest Virginia’s e-Region: The Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority, created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1988 to enhance and diversify the region’s economy and help create jobs, markets Southwest Virginia’s e-Region and its focus on electronic information technology, energy, education, emerging technologies, and entrepreneurship. VCEDA is a unique economic development organization that manages funds for economic development projects from a percentage of the coal and natural gas severance taxes paid by coal and natural gas companies that operate in the region. Located in southwestern Virginia, the region includes Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Tazewell, and Wise counties and the City of Norton. www.vceda.us or www.e-Region.org.
About the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority Seed Capital Matching Grant Fund: VCEDA region for-profit businesses, within qualifying business categories, one year and under with less than 10 full-time employees are eligible to apply for dollar-for-dollar matching grants up to $10,000 from the VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Fund. Applicants work with the Small Business Development Centers at Mountain Empire and Southwest Virginia community colleges to prepare the applications to VCEDA that include detailed business and financial plans. Businesses must be located in or plan to operate in the VCEDA region in southwestern Virginia that includes Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Tazewell, and Wise counties and the City of Norton.