AFTER seeking a better work-life balance, Sale woman Toni Hiskins opened a coffee van business called ‘Stay Grounded’ to bring breakfast and good vibes to people around town.
“I was working nights. I was doing bar work and I’m a single mum with three young kids, and it just wasn’t working,” Ms Hiskins said.
“I wasn’t seeing the kids.”
Ms Hiskins used to work at Maree Cooper and John Berber’s Longford-based Grab&Go Kebabs & Fish N’ Chips van, and that’s where Ms Hiskins got the idea to start her business.
“We’d take the kebab van to events and people would always ask for coffee. So I decided I needed to start a coffee van,” she said.
Ms Hiskins said it took just a few months for Stay Grounded to become operational, with the grand opening in early July.
“Juggling things with family is the main challenge,” she says.
“I’ve learnt the importance of good time management running this business.”
Ms Hiskins said the response had been very positive.
“Sundays in particular have been crazy, because there aren’t that many places open on a Sunday,” she said.
“The people I’ve met have been really great. I love having a conversation with them.”
“The egg and bacon toasties are super popular, but of course everyone comes here for the coffees.”
Currently, Ms Hiskins is running the business Mondays through Thursdays, and on Sunday.
“I usually start just after 8 and I’m here (at the Dan Murphy’s Sale car park) until 12,” she said.
“Sunday I’m generally at the car park at The Gippy (Gippsland Hotel).”
