From Side Hustle to Cornish Success: Glazed & Roasted Brews Up a Storm with Start-Up Loan

A vintage coffee and donut van has taken Cornwall by storm, with owners Leah Fontier and Jordan Jones turning their passion project into a thriving business, thanks to funding from the British Business Bank’s Start-Up Loans programme. In just six months, Glazed & Roasted has become a popular stop for locals and visitors alike, serving artisan coffee and baked goods along the iconic Camel Trail.

From Side Hustle to Full-Time Success

Leah and Jordan, both hospitality professionals, launched Glazed & Roasted as a weekend venture, operating from a Piaggio Ape at local events. Their vision quickly outgrew the small three-wheeled truck, and they made the leap to full-time entrepreneurs after securing a Start-Up Loan in January. The loan allowed them to upgrade to a 1957 Citroen HZ van, which they equipped with coffee-making facilities and expanded their offering to include donuts, flapjacks, and brownies.

“The Ape was a great start, but we needed something bigger to serve more people and offer more products,” said Leah. “With the new van, we can provide a full range of refreshments, including baked goods made with ingredients sourced from Cornish suppliers.”

Securing a Prime Location

One of the key factors in their success has been their prime location on the Camel Trail, which attracts around 400,000 visitors each year. This high-traffic spot between Wadebridge and Padstow gave Leah and Jordan the confidence to leave their hotel jobs in May and focus entirely on their coffee van. Since then, they’ve catered to cyclists and walkers while booking events such as CrossFit competitions and Christmas markets.

The van’s unique vintage look has also caught the attention of event organisers, including the BBC, who featured the vehicle as a prop during filming for Beyond Paradise in Charlestown harbour.

The Road to Expansion

The Start-Up Loan programme, which offers up to £25,000 for new businesses, helped Leah and Jordan turn their side hustle into a full-time operation. Working with GC Business Finance, the couple received their loan just 19 days after applying.

Alex Mearns, Head of Startup Lending at GC Business Finance, praised the duo for their determination. “Leah and Jordan are a perfect example of what the Start-Up Loans programme is designed to do. It’s fantastic to see them grow their business, and we look forward to seeing where they take it next.”

Leah and Jordan have expanded their product range to include baked goods, working with local suppliers like The Roasting Room at Lanteague, known for its single-estate coffee sourced from female farmers. This collaboration highlights their commitment to supporting Cornish businesses and sustainable practices.

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Reflecting on their journey, Leah encourages others to take the leap. “It’s scary but thrilling—without the loan, we’d still be working full-time elsewhere. Don’t doubt yourself like I did. You’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.”

The Start-Up Loans programme has helped over 115,000 businesses across the UK since its inception, providing more than £1.1bn in funding. Of those, 40% of loan recipients were women, and 20% came from minority ethnic backgrounds, supporting a diverse range of entrepreneurs in achieving their business goals.

For more information on how the Start-Up Loans programme can help new businesses, visit the British Business Bank’s website.