18 Y.O. Goes Viral Online After He Shared How Nobody Showed Up At His Newly Opened Café
Interview With Owner
Coffee shops have become an essential part of any communities. People savor delicious pastries there, use free WIFI for work whilst hiding from weird upstairs neighbors who keep drilling or breakdancing loudly, or simply enjoy the moment with a warm drink. Tom Oswald, who is just 18 years old, decided he wanted to have such a place of his own – a café for art and coffee. Sadly, in the initial days, there were no customers. But it looks like the tide is about to change with the power of the internet.
More info: TikTok
Tom Oswald, 18, opened a coffee shop fresh out of high school
Image credits: homeboy.co
Opening a business is a daunting adventure, especially to a young person who just started the journey of adulthood. Prior to opening his business, he worked in a local coffee shop where he practiced his coffee making and latte art skills. He wasn’t very good at first, but he worked hard and eventually learned to draw intricate swans with milk. I do strongly believe that any drink tastes better with a nice art on it!
One day, an incredible opportunity presented itself – his ex-neighbor had a paint shop with enough room for a coffee shop in it. Despite initial reservations, he decided to take a leap of faith – after all, the best time to do something is right now. The young man understood the importance of mentors and tried talking to many people in the industry, learning from them. With the help of his dad, he found a few mentors who were excited to show him the ropes of this business.
Image credits: homeboy.co
He was working in a local coffee shop when he learned that his ex-neighbor was renting a place perfect for business
Image credits: homeboy.co
Image credits: homeboy.co
His next step was market research – he went to as many cafes as he could and observed the process. He dutifully noted what made them good and what he would take away to his business. And, of course, he had to try their tasty treats – any drink goes better paired with a fresh pastry.
After a lot of tasty research, Tom decided he too wanted treats in his shop. Luckily, he found the supplies that met his standards and was one step closer to fulfilling his dream.
Once the coffee shop was set up, Tom practiced some more, making numerous coffees and perfecting his art. Soon, the big day came – it was the opening day! All his hard work and dedication was going to pay off with the first happy customer. Unfortunately, no one showed up. This was a heartbreaking experience, but Tom wasn’t going to give up. The next day he’d try again. And the next day. And the next day too.
Still, in the initial days, only a few of his friends and family showed up who tried to cheer Tom up. The young entrepreneur set up a TikTok account to document his café journey. He didn’t expect it to become a ticket to success.
Despite his initial fears, the young man decided to take a chance and start his own business
Image credits: homeboy.co
Image credits: homeboy.co
After a lot of research and handwork, Thiele’s Shop was open for business
Image credits: homeboy.co
Image credits: homeboy.co
Many of us who frequent coffee shops wonder what happens behind the scenes, how a café comes to be that magical place where coffee is always good, and baristas are always smiling. Tom took viewers on a journey, showing how he sets up the café and how opening and closing looks from the insider’s point of view.
His videos were rather cinematic, showing rainy days and art inside the café. Tom maintained a positive attitude, acknowledging that quiet days allow him time for reflection and research. Everything is a lesson if you are willing to learn and Tom certainly was willing.
After his videos went viral, he finally got some customers – he documented this in a heartwarming video that melted everyone’s hearts. People cheered as if they were their own customers. Since this first important milestone, the business started picking up.
Sadly, no one showed up. Tom decided not to give up and kept on working and documenting his journey on TikTok
Image credits: homeboy.co
Image credits: homeboy.co
Soon he went viral and thanks to the power of the internet, he welcomed his first customers
Image credits: homeboy.co
Thousands of strangers on the internet left encouraging comments, urging him to keep going and even making suggestions on how to attract more customers. Everyone was willing to see Tom succeed, locals promising to stop by the café once they were in the area.
As things started looking up, Tom decided that his business needed a name. The café was simply called Thiele’s Shop, the name of the place it was located in. However, it wasn’t personal to Tom. He wanted to make it his own and that’s how “Homeboy” café was born.
Another milestone followed thereafter – Tom got his first reservation, a significant milestone for his fledgling business. He recorded himself carefully setting up a cozy corner for his customers, attention to detail making us want to make a reservation too.
He changed the name to “Homeboy” cafe to make it more personal to him
Image credits: homeboy.co
In an interview with BoredPanda, the owner Tom shared the reasons behind opening a café “I’ve always wanted to learn how a business functions, so I thought what better way to learn than to throw myself into one!”. There is no better time than present after all!
“The café operates under a “pop up” agreement at the venue “Thiele’s Shop”. This place allows businesses and young creatives to test themselves on the market without having to deal with long list of set up costs” Tom explained how he managed to open a café.
“This allows me to solely focus on creating good quality products and good customer experiences. I’ve done plenty research to find the best croissants and the best coffee beans”. Well, that’s a crucial aspect for many customers – if the croissant is bad, the day is ruined. Hopefully, more and more customers will be able to benefit from Tom’s research.
And even got his very first reservation!
Image credits: homeboy.co
We inquired about the concept of coffee and art and Tom revealed that it is a collaboration with “The PaintBox”, a neighboring business that operates within the same building. They saw an amazing opportunity and decided to join forces “They sell amazing paint supplies and hold art classes which I can bring in coffee and cakes for!” Tom was very excited about this newfound partnership.
“I believe this is how local businesses should be operated, boosting each other up instead of the traditional ‘competition’ that sometimes tends to happen” young entrepreneur shared his positive outlook on running a business. “This collaboration can further boost customer experiences. It starts to feel like more of a community. And thats what we can ensure for a first time visitor – friendliness, a comfortable setting and the sense of community”.
Tom proved that anyone, despite their age, can succeed
Image credits: homeboy.co
Tom’s story is a testament to the power of determination and resilience. Age shouldn’t be a limiting factor in one’s decisions and anyone can succeed with enough luck and loads of hard work. Surely, TikTok helped Tom gain recognition and customers, but if he hadn’t shown his efforts and dedication, no amount of cinematic videos would’ve helped. So let it be an inspiration for you today and do something you were afraid to do. Fingers crossed your success story will be our next article!
And if you’re in the area, pop in the “Homeboy” café – who knows, maybe it will become “your” spot.
Do you have a favorite coffee shop?
People in the comments were supportive of this young enterpreneur
Am I the only one wondering how an 18 year old has money to open a business fresh out of school? (I suppose a loan from bank or family, or he's from a well off family to begin with?) Either way, that coffee and those pastries look delicious, and I love the artwork, especially the cats at each table ;) I hope it goes well for him, and i'd totally visit if I wasn't thousands of miles away in another country.
Yeah, he obviously had thr money or investment from family to start it. Not everyone has that ability, but at least he did something positive with it instead of just blowing it all. (Because I admit it, I totally would've just blown it all on stupid junk at that age.)
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So the same story of almost every cafe/restaurant/bar ever. Maybe he should marketed it better before the opening - not after (via TikTok)
How could you write an entire article about someone having a cafe people didn't visit and not put at least the town the cafe is in? The country even??
Patronize your local independent coffee shop, likely a similar story and just as likely to go out of business any day
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Awww I really hope he does well! I'd visit if I was in his country. I wish him luck 🍀
For those who were wondering where this cafe is (as I was)... it's in Adelaide.
Then there are those of us who are wondering where Adelaide is.
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Dude... good for you I guess but things take time?? Every place takes awhile to build a customer base. Instant gratification and social media have destroyed patience.
Yeah but zero on day one is a setup for bankruptcy
Load More Replies...
"nobody came" Does this kid not have family, or friends? I feel those are the first costumers people usually have when they open a bussiness
Yes, I thought that odd as well. But good for him! The place looks adorable, but he clearly thought about everything, but marketing. Adelaide isn't a huge town/city.
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So going on tiktok to cry your business has no visitors is the new marketing plan? Sorry, clearly enough research wasn't done outside of decor and menu, plenty of cafes and restaurants don't make it a year from opening... not to mention the name Homeboy and the irony of this kid thinking that's a personal term😂
Marketing 101, location location location. You have to study the area first to see what kind of foot traffic there is, if there is enough of a population to service. If you're in the sticks, it's not gonna happen.
LOL that isn't a business, its an etsy page. Inviting strangers into your kitchen doesn't mean you own a café or are licensed to operate a facility subject to health and safety inspection, commercial zoning, and regulations. Thanks for cheapening the plight of people that DO actually own and run a business in this economy, by the way. It's Lyft vs taxidrivers all over again!
Margo, was gloomy Scotland so bad that you feel the need to bore us with the story of what a spoiled little rich kid does.with his parents money? Write a real story about someone.who actually worked.hard for their money.
I know that opening a business consistent with your dream is supposed to be about making money, but sometimes it’s more than just that… You just showed the world and yourself that you have ambition and passion. This is what this experience has taught you. Good luck and hang in there you’re a truly an example to others. I kind of know how you feel, I spent years writing a book and put it on Amazon and nobody bought it… Then I realized I didn’t really care because I did it for me and I feel good about myself. Hang in there brother.
To be honest, if you're not researching enough to get customers to come, then you're not researching enough. I started my journey years ago as a "youtuber" (lol). Learned video shooting, editing, scriptwriting, speaking, recording, but nobody watched my videos while creators with lesser skills gets them. Happens in every jobs and every offices isn't it? Hard workers treated poorly while the smooth talkers and a*s kissers gets promotions. Long story short, years later i open a food business. Didn't make the same mistake. That time, i know my food is good, but my main focus should be on promoting it.
Tom, Google song by destiny's child called "bootylicious"!! Watch their dance and music video!! Have fun!! Sincerely yours
Your coffee shop is bootylicious!! As Destiny's Child/Beyonce singer, dancer and music artist says in her songs!! Sing this tune " My Tom Coffee is Bootylicious!!
Tom, get some "bootylicious" going on in your coffee shop! Put up a wide screen TV and play music videos!! Like Destiny's Child, Artist Tina Turner, Artist Michael Jackson/ Jackson 5 band and stuff!! Dress up in black leather men's clothing!! Have fun!! Yours truly
I'm a prep cook and the first idea of it was that I would somehow have it all together to run my own spot! Ok!!! The first few days is a break from a.m.-p.m., after that LOOK Out!!!!!!? The traffic will start to POOOOUUUUR IN!!!!!???!! There you won't have a chance to breath, so keep something on the side for that rush to come, it's like working an overnight at a 24hr highway truck stop!!!! The thrill of impatiently waiting, but when those stick gigs wake, the parade comes and the clean up awaits!!!! Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!
Much love and sucsess homeboy! Not my own place but working with rock and soul bands all my life, I was thrown into a position where I was made a manager and responsible for booking bands into a resort bar! Hey!! Years of expeirence with music, management and booking but made my mark100 miles south in Philly, now I'm in the Poconos... I thought "easy peasy" right?? Oh hell no! LOL! 3 weeks of crickets. Put everyhing I had out there and rode it out. Within 3 months it was the hottest place to play! Major acts that I knew and we had such fun for 3 years! Then, new management came in and tossed me and my staff out on our asses and within 6 weeks they shut down! Oh well! They still can't do what I did from 2013 to 2016! Sporatic at best! But still no go! It sux to see such a great place fail but ya know "management knows best! LOL!
Always an inspiring story when a young person takes the initiative to create his own path rather than do nothing & expect things to be handed to him without working for it (like so many of our young people these days)! I believe in years to come this young person will create & own many thriving businesses! It doesn’t happen unless you are willing to learn, work & create what you want to become in your life! Hats off to you young man, well done! Reach for the stars!
It's tough to open a business on your own, especially at his age. Maybe there wasn't enough promo and advertising before he opened. If people don't know you're there, it's really hard to bring in customers. Having artwork there is a cool thing. In my area, lots of independent small coffee shops and restaurants display works of local artists. Even a PT office I used to go to did this. It gives customers something cool to look at (instead of burying their noses in their phones) and occasionally somebody buys a piece. I hope he's able to be successful with this. Gotta give him credit for even attempting a new business at his age.
He learned at an early age that small businesses, especially those as redundant as cafés and other foodservice joints, are more likely to fail than to succeed. That would’ve crushed his spirits if he was 20 years older, but as a resilient teenager he took one more chance and ended up turning his luck around.
Tom!! Your coffee shop is "bootylicious!!" As destiny's child/Beyonce would put it in song!!
Looking at these comments makes me want to shout, "I DON'T CARE HOW HE GOT THE MONEY TO START HIS BUSINESS!!!!" That's not the point. Y'all sound jealous and childish. So what if he had a loan or comes from a well-off family. If you came from a well-to-do family, congrats. The point is that he is 18 and has the gumption to stay his own business. He did market research. He stayed resilient. Many of us wish we had the gumption, fearlessness and tenacity to pursue our passions instead of trudging through our lives. Congratulate him. Don't be rude. Encourage him. So many of our youth are lost and floundering. He is RISING. That's a WIN for all of us.
Yes your right. It doesn't matter where he got the money from and it is a good thing that he took a chance to try and do what he wanted. The story falls flat though where he goes and cries to tiktok because it didn't succeed in the first day. Like what kind of spoiled idiot expects it to work out in the first day, especially in this day and age where you have chain businesses that are usually nearly as good as local businesses and 10x faster. Going and whining to tiktok just screams he expected immediate results, and never thought failure possible. This is the exact thing you would expect a young person to do (saying that as a younger person myself) lol
Load More Replies... Am I the only one wondering how an 18 year old has money to open a business fresh out of school? (I suppose a loan from bank or family, or he's from a well off family to begin with?) Either way, that coffee and those pastries look delicious, and I love the artwork, especially the cats at each table ;) I hope it goes well for him, and i'd totally visit if I wasn't thousands of miles away in another country.
Yeah, he obviously had thr money or investment from family to start it. Not everyone has that ability, but at least he did something positive with it instead of just blowing it all. (Because I admit it, I totally would've just blown it all on stupid junk at that age.)
Load More Replies... So the same story of almost every cafe/restaurant/bar ever. Maybe he should marketed it better before the opening - not after (via TikTok)
How could you write an entire article about someone having a cafe people didn't visit and not put at least the town the cafe is in? The country even??
Patronize your local independent coffee shop, likely a similar story and just as likely to go out of business any day
Load More Replies... Awww I really hope he does well! I'd visit if I was in his country. I wish him luck 🍀
For those who were wondering where this cafe is (as I was)... it's in Adelaide.
Then there are those of us who are wondering where Adelaide is.
Load More Replies... Dude... good for you I guess but things take time?? Every place takes awhile to build a customer base. Instant gratification and social media have destroyed patience.
Yeah but zero on day one is a setup for bankruptcy
Load More Replies... "nobody came" Does this kid not have family, or friends? I feel those are the first costumers people usually have when they open a bussiness
Yes, I thought that odd as well. But good for him! The place looks adorable, but he clearly thought about everything, but marketing. Adelaide isn't a huge town/city.
Load More Replies... So going on tiktok to cry your business has no visitors is the new marketing plan? Sorry, clearly enough research wasn't done outside of decor and menu, plenty of cafes and restaurants don't make it a year from opening... not to mention the name Homeboy and the irony of this kid thinking that's a personal term😂
Marketing 101, location location location. You have to study the area first to see what kind of foot traffic there is, if there is enough of a population to service. If you're in the sticks, it's not gonna happen.
LOL that isn't a business, its an etsy page. Inviting strangers into your kitchen doesn't mean you own a café or are licensed to operate a facility subject to health and safety inspection, commercial zoning, and regulations. Thanks for cheapening the plight of people that DO actually own and run a business in this economy, by the way. It's Lyft vs taxidrivers all over again!
Margo, was gloomy Scotland so bad that you feel the need to bore us with the story of what a spoiled little rich kid does.with his parents money? Write a real story about someone.who actually worked.hard for their money.
I know that opening a business consistent with your dream is supposed to be about making money, but sometimes it’s more than just that… You just showed the world and yourself that you have ambition and passion. This is what this experience has taught you. Good luck and hang in there you’re a truly an example to others. I kind of know how you feel, I spent years writing a book and put it on Amazon and nobody bought it… Then I realized I didn’t really care because I did it for me and I feel good about myself. Hang in there brother.
To be honest, if you're not researching enough to get customers to come, then you're not researching enough. I started my journey years ago as a "youtuber" (lol). Learned video shooting, editing, scriptwriting, speaking, recording, but nobody watched my videos while creators with lesser skills gets them. Happens in every jobs and every offices isn't it? Hard workers treated poorly while the smooth talkers and a*s kissers gets promotions. Long story short, years later i open a food business. Didn't make the same mistake. That time, i know my food is good, but my main focus should be on promoting it.
Tom, Google song by destiny's child called "bootylicious"!! Watch their dance and music video!! Have fun!! Sincerely yours
Your coffee shop is bootylicious!! As Destiny's Child/Beyonce singer, dancer and music artist says in her songs!! Sing this tune " My Tom Coffee is Bootylicious!!
Tom, get some "bootylicious" going on in your coffee shop! Put up a wide screen TV and play music videos!! Like Destiny's Child, Artist Tina Turner, Artist Michael Jackson/ Jackson 5 band and stuff!! Dress up in black leather men's clothing!! Have fun!! Yours truly
I'm a prep cook and the first idea of it was that I would somehow have it all together to run my own spot! Ok!!! The first few days is a break from a.m.-p.m., after that LOOK Out!!!!!!? The traffic will start to POOOOUUUUR IN!!!!!???!! There you won't have a chance to breath, so keep something on the side for that rush to come, it's like working an overnight at a 24hr highway truck stop!!!! The thrill of impatiently waiting, but when those stick gigs wake, the parade comes and the clean up awaits!!!! Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!
Much love and sucsess homeboy! Not my own place but working with rock and soul bands all my life, I was thrown into a position where I was made a manager and responsible for booking bands into a resort bar! Hey!! Years of expeirence with music, management and booking but made my mark100 miles south in Philly, now I'm in the Poconos... I thought "easy peasy" right?? Oh hell no! LOL! 3 weeks of crickets. Put everyhing I had out there and rode it out. Within 3 months it was the hottest place to play! Major acts that I knew and we had such fun for 3 years! Then, new management came in and tossed me and my staff out on our asses and within 6 weeks they shut down! Oh well! They still can't do what I did from 2013 to 2016! Sporatic at best! But still no go! It sux to see such a great place fail but ya know "management knows best! LOL!
Always an inspiring story when a young person takes the initiative to create his own path rather than do nothing & expect things to be handed to him without working for it (like so many of our young people these days)! I believe in years to come this young person will create & own many thriving businesses! It doesn’t happen unless you are willing to learn, work & create what you want to become in your life! Hats off to you young man, well done! Reach for the stars!
It's tough to open a business on your own, especially at his age. Maybe there wasn't enough promo and advertising before he opened. If people don't know you're there, it's really hard to bring in customers. Having artwork there is a cool thing. In my area, lots of independent small coffee shops and restaurants display works of local artists. Even a PT office I used to go to did this. It gives customers something cool to look at (instead of burying their noses in their phones) and occasionally somebody buys a piece. I hope he's able to be successful with this. Gotta give him credit for even attempting a new business at his age.
He learned at an early age that small businesses, especially those as redundant as cafés and other foodservice joints, are more likely to fail than to succeed. That would’ve crushed his spirits if he was 20 years older, but as a resilient teenager he took one more chance and ended up turning his luck around.
Tom!! Your coffee shop is "bootylicious!!" As destiny's child/Beyonce would put it in song!!
Looking at these comments makes me want to shout, "I DON'T CARE HOW HE GOT THE MONEY TO START HIS BUSINESS!!!!" That's not the point. Y'all sound jealous and childish. So what if he had a loan or comes from a well-off family. If you came from a well-to-do family, congrats. The point is that he is 18 and has the gumption to stay his own business. He did market research. He stayed resilient. Many of us wish we had the gumption, fearlessness and tenacity to pursue our passions instead of trudging through our lives. Congratulate him. Don't be rude. Encourage him. So many of our youth are lost and floundering. He is RISING. That's a WIN for all of us.
Yes your right. It doesn't matter where he got the money from and it is a good thing that he took a chance to try and do what he wanted. The story falls flat though where he goes and cries to tiktok because it didn't succeed in the first day. Like what kind of spoiled idiot expects it to work out in the first day, especially in this day and age where you have chain businesses that are usually nearly as good as local businesses and 10x faster. Going and whining to tiktok just screams he expected immediate results, and never thought failure possible. This is the exact thing you would expect a young person to do (saying that as a younger person myself) lol
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