Crafting Caffeine: Yami Hu’s Journey from Corporate America to Cold Brew Coffee at Three Legged Brewing

Cynthia & I interview Yami Hu, the founder of Three Legged Coffee Brewing, a craft brewery specializing in all-natural, zero-calorie cold brew coffees. Yami shares her journey from a corporate American to entrepreneurship, sparked by her desire for a more fulfilling professional life. She discusses the challenges and successes she faced while starting her business, including leveraging a Kickstarter campaign to fund the initial stages and planning a unique coffee brewery and taproom in Lindenhurst, Illinois.

Key points from the interview include:

• Yami’s transition from a long career in corporate America to starting her own business.
• The inspiration behind the name "Three Legged Brewing" comes from her three-legged dog, Mogwai, who became the company's mascot.
• The benefits of cold brew coffee and Yami’s passion for the product.
• Her experience on the reality TV show "The Blocks," which focuses on entrepreneurship.
• The use of Kickstarter as a crowdfunding platform to support her business.
• Challenges of competing with major brands like Starbucks and the importance of unique branding and community engagement.
• The strategic decision to open a brick-and-mortar location to increase cash flow and visibility.

Throughout the episode, Yami emphasizes the importance of community support, learning from others, and the mental resilience needed to navigate the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. She also highlights her commitment to creating a multifaceted business that includes both a physical retail presence and distribution of her products.