Douglas County Foodpreneur Bootcamp helps entrepreneurs sharpen skills and scale up

Streamline Coffee owner Katie Hoke participated in a six-week online program called the Douglas County Foodpreneur Bootcamp last fall. The program covered licensing, food and labor cost, menu management, marketing, company culture, guest experience and ownership mindset, among other topics.

While taking the course, she was in the process of closing her small coffee shop location at LMH Health West and expanding to a larger space in downtown Lawrence at 13 E Eighth St.  She also was maintaining her original business — a mobile coffee shop operating from an Airstream trailer — at the northwest corner of Bob Billings Parkway and Wakarusa Drive. 

Hoke said the bootcamp helped reinforce what she was already doing well while also introducing her to new ideas.

“There was a big takeaway with each module,” she said. “It was a comprehensive course that went over menu creation, hours, seasonal hours and menus, and advice on what to do when business is slow and busy. It was a lot of work and a lot of great information.”

One of her key takeaways was the importance of communicating with employees. Since completing the course, she has created a biweekly newsletter for her staff.

Hoke was one of six small business owners who completed the program, which was spearheaded by the Douglas County Food Policy Council. Other participants who completed the program included:

• James Thomas, Brain Freeze Mobile Daiquiri
• Sherell Yarbough, Sherell’s Custom Treats
• Nadine Peaches, Peaches’ Fry Bread
• Kristal Pohlman, Frozen Drinks on the Go
• Allyssa Foster, The Pretzelly Truck

Foster said the program provided her with new tools and expertise to grow her food truck business.

“I’m absolutely thrilled with seeing our growth and the changes we have made,” she said. “This year has unlocked a whole new level, and I owe a portion of that to the class.”

The Food Policy Council partnered with Network Kansas and America’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to bring the Online Restaurant Academy to Douglas County.

In summer 2024, The Board of County Commissioners approved $4,000 in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to tailor the academy’s curriculum to local regulations and to help cover licensing fees. The program was also part of the community’s Equity for Every Entrepreneur (E3) initiative.

Food Policy Council Chair Tyler Lindquist said he’s thrilled that the Online Restaurant Academy has been beneficial for participants.

“Allyssa with The Pretzelly Truck is really rocking it this year, and her updated branding is on point,” he said. “Katie with Streamline Coffee opened her first brick-and-mortar in downtown Lawrence. It has a really cool retro ’80s vibe. Pink is clearly the in color.”

Network Kansas, in partnership with America’s SBDC, is now offering the program statewide. The Kansas Foodpreneur Bootcamp is scheduled for Oct. 1-Nov. 12.  The enrollment deadline is Sept. 26.

The Food Policy Council also created a Mobile Food Vending Guide, which is available on the county’s website. It provides a step-by-step guide on how to access resources for starting a food truck business. 

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