Twenty and grinding: Tyrone’s journey to coffee mastery

I grew up in Randfontein, near Krugersdorp, with my grandparents. My grandfather, especially, became my role model. He was the one who showed me that hard work, consistency, and vision can change everything.

At 13, I started working in our family’s coffee trailer. For six years, I poured coffee, packed cups, and served strangers at events. When the franchise collapsed during COVID, I had a choice: walk away or build something of my own. I chose the latter. My grandfather gave me the chance to run a trailer myself, and that’s when I realised I had a passion for coffee and the potential to create something bigger than just a business.

Today, I run my own coffee trailer, with plans for a second one soon. But my dream doesn’t stop there. I want to create a South African brand that one day stands toe-to-toe with Starbucks. That dream is what led me to Henley Business School.

I first came to Henley not as a student, but as a vendor. While serving coffee at an event, I joked with my grandfather that one day I’d graduate here. Someone overheard us, and that small moment turned into a big opportunity: an invitation to apply for the Higher Certificate in Management Practice (HCMP).

Choosing Henley over a traditional university wasn’t the obvious choice. But the moment I walked onto campus, I knew it was right. The energy, the people, the sense of belonging, it felt like home.

The HCMP has been transformative. At 20, I’m the youngest in my class. That hasn’t always been easy, I’ve had to think and collaborate with people 10 or 20 years ahead of me. But it’s stretched me in ways I didn’t expect. And I think my classmates have also learned through the encounter. I’ve learned to step into big conversations, share my ideas, and trust that what I bring to the table matters.

Henley has taught me about myself. Through personal mastery sessions and reflective assignments, I’ve discovered who I am, what I value, and what kind of leader I want to become. I’ve also gained practical tools, from finance to time management, that I use every day in my business.

What makes the journey even more powerful is the people. My classmates don’t just study with me; they inspire me, encourage me, and even ask for my advice on entrepreneurship. That support makes me believe I can take this dream further than I ever imagined.

Looking ahead, I see five coffee trailers across the country, a flagship coffee shop, and eventually, a global brand. I also see myself completing my MBA at Henley, turning a dream, I once joked about with my grandfather into reality.

My advice to young entrepreneurs: don’t wait. Don’t let fear or doubt stop you. Act, learn as much as you can, and surround yourself with mentors and peers who inspire you. Time is valuable, and every step forward counts.

When I’m not brewing coffee, I’m designing, innovating, exercising, or simply enjoying some downtime with games and music (Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal” is my recent go-to). My favorite drink from my shop is the bar-one milkshake, and all my customers seem to agree.

Henley has given me knowledge, confidence, and a community that supports my dreams. I’m proud to be on this journey, and I’m just getting started. To anyone reading this, remember: don’t listen to the haters, they ain’t you. Believe in yourself and go after your dreams relentlessly.