Today we’d like to introduce you to Katelyn Coffey.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve worked in the publishing industry since college as a USA Today Bestselling author, starting in 2018, though I had been in school to become a lawyer. My dad and mom—who currently run Expresso Books & Beans—were a real estate agent and a teacher, respectively. In the year 2024, we started discussing opening up a business together. I knew I wanted it to involve books and coffee, my two favorite things in the world. Not only that, but my last name is Coffey (pronounced coffee), so it seemed perfect. My dad used his connections in real estate to find our current building. It was originally an office complex with hideous blue carpeting and lime-green walls. We had to completely dismantle the interior. After working tirelessly throughout the year, we opened in April of 2025. My parents run the day-to-day operations full-time. I’m usually there as well, though you can find me at a table working.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As stated previously, the interior was originally an office with blue carpeting and green walls. The initial cost was significantly higher than we planned because we had to redo everything.
We also find ourselves competing constantly with the big coffee shops and bookstores like Starbucks and Barnes and Nobles. It’s hard for people to try new things when they’re so familiar with something else. It doesn’t help matters that we’re right across the street from both chains.
Fortunately, we have an amazing community who has rallied behind us!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We’re a coffee and book store in Holland, MI! From rich, flavored coffees to dozens of teas, smoothies, lattes, frappes, and refreshing slushies in flavors you’ll love — there’s something for everyone. We also have over 25 sugar-free options and numerous milk alternatives. On the literary side of things, we have thousands of new books, including an extensive collection of signed books. I’ve used my connections in the publishing world to receive hundreds and hundreds of signed books from bestselling authors in all genres.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I’m not sure luck really had a role to play in my business. It took a lot of hard work, dedication, and research to get to where we are today. In my personal life, I’ve been very fortunate to get my dream job which allowed me to start this endeavor in the first place.
I suppose we had a few unlucky moments when we opened! The costs were higher than expected due to extensive repairs, we had to create an entirely new bathroom (which wasn’t planned), and shortly after opening there was a water leak in the building which caused an awful smell and a tiny bit of damage.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Expressobooksandbeans.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expressobooksandbeans
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1R3wdY3E86/
- Yelp: https://yelp.to/TROmtZ2kEX
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@expressobooksandbeans
