Dreamy Drinks is Seattle's first bubble tea food truck in the area. Offering a multitude of colourful flavours - from strawberry matcha latte to chagaccino and Ovaltine crema - Dreamy Drinks is the mobile boba tea shop to catch when you are on the West Coast of the US!
The friendly neighbourhood Dreamy Drinks was founded by Kaye when she first moved to Seattle and found the obvious lack of bubble tea available. Seeing the business opportunity, she decided to pursue her passion and started her own food truck offering boba to everyone in the neighbourhood.
With strong recommendations by locals and high ratings on Yelp, Dreamy Drinks has become one of Seattle's best bubble tea spots.
Kaye claims that she not only has learned a lot in the past three years from running the business but also learned a lot about herself through her entrepreneurial journey.
As we at Honest Food Talks are huge boba fans ourselves, we were curious to learn more about Kaye's story of starting up, Dreamy Drinks. The following is our interview with Kaye, the founder of Dreamy Drinks.
Where did the idea for Dreamy Drinks come from?
It started in 2018 when me and my boyfriend, Athan first moved here from the Bay Area and I couldn't find a bubble tea place I like. And bubble tea is so popular in Bay Area there's always one near you and they are good!
We saw the opportunity and we want to do it. But we couldn't decide where the store should be located and that's when we decided to do a food truck instead.
What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive, keep yourself busy?
I normally start prepping three hours before we open. We start at the kitchen, cooking boba and brewing tea, prepping takes at least 2 hours. Then we drive to our pop up location and get ready to serve!
What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive?
I like making plans. But if my day doesn't work as I planned my brain would freeze up!
What advice would you give your younger self?
I always rush to do things and mistakes have been made, so I would tell my younger self to slow down the pace.
What is the one thing you do over and over again and recommend everyone else do?
Be kind to people. In the past three years of doing business, I have learned that a lot of our returning customers love us not only because of our drinks but also our hospitality.
There is this spot in Seattle we go to almost every weekend, it's a little convenience store in the neighbourhood. Our customers in that area have shown us so much love, more than one little kids had stopped by and given us gifts, most of them are unicorn related.
When our truck broke down for 7 weeks earlier this year, on the first day we returned to this spot a little girl and her dad stopped by, got some drinks and she gave me an envelope.
I opened it and there's a card that says, "Welcome back Dreamy Drinks staff" with a $100 bill in it. I almost cried.
So yes, be kind to people and they really can see it.
What are some strategies that have helped you grow your business? Please explain how.
I think branding is very important. I worked in design before I started the business but I was not very confident about my work. It's surprising to me that Dreamy Drinks actually works out.
Building a brand that's straightforward and approachable would help the business. There are a few food truck names I really like here in Washington, like Waffly Good Waffles, In Pizza We Crust, and Pig War.
What's one trend in the F&B industry that excites you?
I have never thought I would have a job that makes people happy. The feeling of seeing kids' or customers' happy faces when they received the drinks is truly amazing.
What is the best $20 you recently spent? What and why?
Back in 2017, I bought a $20 ticket for the Glass Animals concert in Berkeley. That's one of the best nights I've ever had1 Now it's $300 for a ticket.
What is your favourite quote?
My mom used to tell me this all the time: "Nothing that's worthwhile is ever easy".
What are some of your favourite places to eat at?
I LOVE good food. Here are my top 5 on the west coast: Turtle Tower (in San Francisco), Biergarten (in San Francisco), Hinodeya Ramen Bar (in San Francisco), The Pink Door (Seattle), and Amaro Bistro (Bothell).
What's the best thing to order from Dreamy Drinks ?
The strawberry matcha is the most popular drink but my personal favourite is the ovaltine crema.
Are there any exciting plans coming from Dreamy Drinks soon?
Moving into a brick in mortar store is our goal for 2022!
Dreamy Drinks is currently serving at King County and Snohomish County in the Washington States, US.
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Next, check out our interview with co-founders, Nina and Josh who started Hazel's Cremerie, a grassroots Vegan and Classic Ice Cream Sandwich business in London!
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