Young entrepreneur takes her shot at first business

DESERT AIRE — If you are one who believes that business makes the world go around and are wondering if there are new leaders emerging, you’d be happy to chat with Desert Aire 27-year-old Kate Long over a cup of coffee.

Kate’s coffee, that is.

Kate opened Desert Aire’s newest business less than two weeks ago, naming it Desert Grinds, Espresso and More. The More allows children on the same schedule as mom or dad to enjoy a wake-up drink too.

Desert Grinds is a bit hidden. But it’s easy to get to once you find it the first time. It is in the building that also contains Desert Aire Real Estate behind Desert Aire’s grocery store. Enter Desert Aire at Desert Aire Way and turn left at Thunderbird Way. You’ll find it on the left side of Thunderbird.

Desert Grinds has a drive-up window and an outdoor garden setting where customers can sit and sip while relaxing.

Kate stands a good chance of making her business grow and flourish. She clearly understands one of the simplest and most important tenets of success – consistency. She understands her business runs her.

If you drop by Desert Grinds, you’ll find Kate at her work station every hour she advertises. Her schedule is 5 a.m.-12 on Mondays, and Monday afternoons are for supplies runs; 5-4 on Tuesday-Friday; 7-4 on Saturdays and 8-3 on Sundays.

“I have to be here,” she said. “If you’re open year around and every day and have good coffee, people will come.”

People have come. Kate’s best day since the June 8 opening, saw more than 100 customers. During the brief interview for this story, two mothers with children dove up to the window. One mother bought a caramel macchiato and two strawberry smoothies.

Kate grew up a western Washingtonian but had family connections in eastern Washington that led to many visits. Her family camped east of the mountains.

At 19 Kate got her first coffee service experience at Aut-to Mocha in Wenatchee. She also worked for Wenatchee’s Coffee Cabin. She learned the pace of the business and the benefits of being an early riser.

“I always kind of new coffee was a good industry,” she said.

Kate moved on to broker freight in Wenatchee, Seattle and Indiana over the next few years. She located loads for long-haul truckers.

“When I moved back to Washington, I wasn’t sure if I was going to go back to Seattle or stay here (her parents live at Desert Aire),” she said.

Desert Aire won. Kate has found she’s more an eastern Washingtonian than western Washingtonian. Seattle is beautiful, but the pace of life in South County is better – light traffic, no congestion.

Kate considered two business options. One was a tanning salon. The constant sunny days ruled that out.

“There is no need for tanning over here,” she said. “And people have started to go away from it.”

“I thought people here needed a place to get their coffee all year,” she added. “I love it. I love doing this.”

Kate’s brother Kevin encouraged the idea and helped his parents do most of the construction work on Desert Grinds.

One of the reasons Kate decided to start business in Desert Aire is her hope for its future. She expects 100 new homes in the next five years, and many of the new residents will be working folks who need their morning coffee.

“I want to grow this community,” she said. “I want it to flourish.”

Kate serves hot and iced coffees, including regular drip coffee. She offers americano, latte, cappuccino and mocha. She also has espresso shakes and granitas.

Kate’s non-coffee drinks include tea and chai tea, steamers, Italian sodas, smoothies, juices, water and Red Bull. She has bagels, cookies, protein bars, cones, sundaes and muffins.

Kate takes credit card payment, and she offers punch cards that reward the customer a free coffee after every 10 purchases.

“And it’s double punch on Saturday and Sunday,” she said.