SURFING TO COFFEE BEANS.

As son of Rip Curl founder, Brian Singer, most would assume that it was a given that Doji Singer would be involved with Rip Curl. For a while he worked the Rip Curl - 9 to 5. Spent time working in the Torquay retail store, the warehouse, took on a Rip Curl traineeship and finally worked in the accessories division.

The idea of spending more time outdoors became more and more appealing to Doji than being office bound. He eventually pulled the pin at Rip Curl, packed his bags and headed to the U.S. snowfields working as a Ski Instructor, a job he was familiar with, having worked as an instructor in the Victorian snowfields of Mt. Buller.

After 4 months in the U.S, came the time to move on. Doji headed back home to Torquay. He was still on his own personal search and wanted to experience new challenges. Now back home, he recalled the time he was working in the U.S and the road trip to Vegas, coming across that small drive-thru coffee shack.

What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas, wasn’t going to be the case this time.

Could something like the U.S coffee shack work in Geelong?

After investigating all possibilities the idea of providing espresso coffee to people on the move seemed a real winner, it was all systems go.

Doji with long time friend, now new business partner, Andrew Pec, started the first drive-thru coffee outlet in Geelong, “Bean Squeeze”.

The first store was opened in Mercer Street, Geelong in 2006. Since then another 3 “Bean Squeeze” stores have opened in the Geelong area and there are plans to open more soon.

“Bean Squeeze”, is a locally owned business. It is not a franchise chain, nor part of a bigger company.

Doji Advice/Thoughts

Starting and running a business like “Bean Squeeze” has been great fun for most of the time, however it has been frustrating at other times too.

Overall, I think that by starting a business I have learnt a lot more than I would have, if I had stayed working in an established business such as Rip Curl.

My only real advice for anyone thinking about starting a business, is just give it a go. “To not take a risk, is taking the biggest risk of all”

Support young crew having a go! Drive through for a “Bean Squeeze” coffee.

Surf Coast Hwy, Grovedale store.