Junior entrepreneurship major Megan Rose is brewing more than coffee at Iowa State University. She’s building Meg’s Coffee House, a mobile coffee trailer that combines 
handcrafted drinks with the sense of community she grew up experiencing in Boone, Iowa.
Growing up in Boone, Iowa shaped both her values and her business.
“A big part of what’s going into my business is the community I was based in, and how supportive they are of small businesses in their life,” she said.
Entrepreneurship also runs in the family. Her father and grandfather owned a construction business for years, introducing her to business ownership at an early age. Still, she never imagined being an entrepreneur herself until coming to Iowa State.
“I didn’t even really know it was an option until I actually came to Iowa State for my orientation day, and they brought entrepreneurship as a major as a tool,” she said.
Now, her coursework goes hand in hand with running a business.
“I’m able to not only learn in the classroom but also integrate what I’m actively doing outside of it and make school a little bit more fun,” she said.
One of the most rewarding parts has been renovating the trailer alongside her father, Ryan.
“My dad was like ‘Have you seen people making horse trailers into coffee shops?’ and I was like ‘I want to do that,’” she said.
The two found a vintage horse trailer from Facebook Marketplace and transformed it from the frame up. Ryan took the trailer down to its bones, sandblasted it, added new flooring and hardware and a fresh coat of paint to turn it into the coffee trailer it is today.
When Meg’s Coffee House opens, Megan hopes customers leave with more than just a great drink: “Not just another coffee, but a story behind it.”
Her love for coffee started with her mom, who let her drink it growing up. She was a barista in high school and fell in love with the craft. “I’ve been involved in the coffee world ever since,” Megan said.
Currently, she’s working at Juniper & Olive in Jewell, Iowa, where she’s created drinks for the coffee menu and enjoyed a creative outlet while her trailer gets its final touches.
The business has become a true family effort. Megan jokes that her sister, an Iowa State interior design graduate, has become the “VP of Marketing.” Her mom plans to help run the trailer when it opens, while working with her dad has given her the chance to build something meaningful together, just like he did with his own father.
Megan also grew up close to her grandparents. “They were amazing,” she said. To honor them, Megan and her sister have created a grandparent’s collection, with one drink made to honor each of them.
Although coffee is a competitive market, Megan believes Meg’s Coffee House will stand out for the quality and consistency in each drink.
“With my coffee shop, I’m going to focus on consistency and the craftsmanship of it, keeping my menu small, but rotating out flavors to keep it interesting, knowing that you’re going to get a good coffee every time,” she said.
Before CYstarters, Megan had paid for every aspect of the business by herself. She attended DMACC first to save money while preparing to launch her business and transfer to Iowa State.
“I’ve seen a lot of people who are operating coffee trailers, sell them because they don’t understand the amount of time and effort that actually goes into them,” Megan said. “The beauty of my age and where I’m at is that I’m able to take my extra time and pour it into that.”
Entrepreneurship professor, Brandon Mueller, encouraged her to apply for CYstarters.
“I went to talk with him, and he was like, ‘I’m writing your letter of recommendation, we’re doing this,’” she said. “That totally flipped everything for me and made my first semester.”
Through the accelerator program, Megan has expanded her business knowledge and built a network of mentors and fellow entrepreneurs. “I’m learning a lot just in our in-class time about the whole business side of it, digital marketing, how to market myself. I’ve already made an insane amount of connections,” she said.
One of the first changes the program inspired was a brand refresh. Megan worked with Kailey Stevens, a student from CYstarters Cohort 10 and owner of Bolded K Studios, to refine Meg’s Coffee House’s identity and branding.
As Demo Day approaches, Megan hopes to confidently hand out her business cards and be ready to book people and events. With the trailer nearly complete, completing her food safety certifications before opening.
One of her favorite parts of the summer has been getting to know other CYstarters in her cohort, who all bring a unique background and fresh perspective. “It’s such a great group of people,” she said.
Because her trailer is mobile, Megan plans to serve drinks at community events, farmer’s markets and special events. “Community-based events are my big thing, but I hope to also be able to pop up here and there,” she said.
Megan’s advice to other students is simple: “Dive in for everything you can, and get involved with all the opportunities.”
To stay connected to Meg’s Coffee House, follow on Instagram @megs.coffeehouse where Megan has been posting behind the scenes content and trailer renovation videos as she prepares to open.
—–
Check out our video interview with Megan Rose below!
