Building an Unconventional Business: How to Take Risks and Define Your Own Success with Dan Barletta | E18
Dan Barletta is one of the founders and owners of the mobile cafe, The Jitter Bus. Serving the New Haven community for almost 8 years now, the blacked out bus with artwork on it is a familiar site to locals. An idea that came from witnessing a ice cream truck and a love for coffee, The Jitter Bus started out as a simple idea. Through some hard work, perseverance, and learning some hard lessons, The Jitter Bus has become a staple downtown New Haven.
In this episode we talk about Dan's struggle with college and how a coffee shop on wheels gave him a purpose. We discuss what it was like to bring the idea to fruition, how they survived the pandemic, and their future plans of expanding to a brick and mortar coffee shop. We covered a lot in this episode but what I didn't mention was how good their dirty chai lattes are. If you've never had coffee from The Jitter Bus, you need to go check them out!
📍 Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:56 Dan’s Background: Growing Up & College Experience
02:39 Discovering Coffee Shops & Early Work Experiences
05:08 The Birth of the Jitterbus Idea
6:28 Starting the Business & Launching Kickstarter
07:25 Choosing a Bus & The Build-Out Process
08:58 Forming the Partnership & Business Planning
10:29 Navigating City Regulations & Finding a Location
11:29 The First Year in Business: Challenges & Lessons Learned
13:43 Building a Following & Early Marketing Efforts
16:47 Navigating the COVID-19 Pandemic
19:56 Returning to Business: Recovery & Student Impact
21:28 Adapting to Seasonal Shifts & Event Work
22:20 The Farmers Market Opportunity
24:45 Seven Years in Business – Reflections & Growth
25:33 Making the Leap: Going Full-Time with Jitterbus
27:19 Plans for the Future: Brick & Mortar Dreams
28:38 Finding Support & Resources: Small Business Development
32:31 Real Estate in New Haven & Finding the Right Location
33:13 Dan’s Role in Business Finances
34:18 Hiring, Company Culture & Looking Ahead
36:03 Defining Success & Finding Purpose
39:16 Where to Find the Jitterbus & Closing Remarks
00:56 Dan’s Background: Growing Up & College Experience
02:39 Discovering Coffee Shops & Early Work Experiences
05:08 The Birth of the Jitterbus Idea
6:28 Starting the Business & Launching Kickstarter
07:25 Choosing a Bus & The Build-Out Process
08:58 Forming the Partnership & Business Planning
10:29 Navigating City Regulations & Finding a Location
11:29 The First Year in Business: Challenges & Lessons Learned
13:43 Building a Following & Early Marketing Efforts
16:47 Navigating the COVID-19 Pandemic
19:56 Returning to Business: Recovery & Student Impact
21:28 Adapting to Seasonal Shifts & Event Work
22:20 The Farmers Market Opportunity
24:45 Seven Years in Business – Reflections & Growth
25:33 Making the Leap: Going Full-Time with Jitterbus
27:19 Plans for the Future: Brick & Mortar Dreams
28:38 Finding Support & Resources: Small Business Development
32:31 Real Estate in New Haven & Finding the Right Location
33:13 Dan’s Role in Business Finances
34:18 Hiring, Company Culture & Looking Ahead
36:03 Defining Success & Finding Purpose
39:16 Where to Find the Jitterbus & Closing Remarks
💡Key Takeaways
In this episode you'll learn:
How to start an unconventional business
How to define your own success
How to overcome the challenges of entrepreneurship
How to build a brick and mortar coffee shop
How to run a business with your friends
How to define your own success
How to overcome the challenges of entrepreneurship
How to build a brick and mortar coffee shop
How to run a business with your friends
🚀 Start Here If You’re New
👥How To Connect
Watch on YouTube
WTOP Merch
Connect with The Jitter Bus:
- The bus can be found on corner of Hillhouse Ave. and Grove St. in downtown New Haven M-F and the Wooster Sq. farmers markets Sat mornings
- Follow The Jitter Bus on IG
- thejitterbus.com
