Today we’d like to introduce you to Morgan Bonn.
Hi Morgan, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Cloud 9 Coffee Company started in 2017 in a renovated vintage trailer. We started out at special events, community gatherings, and regular stops. We eventually landed a Monday-Saturday gig at the Stockdale Tower (the tallest building in Bakersfield), among thousands of sq. ft. of office buildings, making Cloud 9 the morning coffee stop for many Bakersfield businesspeople. In 2018, we opened our second location (a white bus), and in 2019, we got rid of both of our mobile units + opened our brick and mortar location. We’ve since expanded that location, so we’re now on our 4th iteration of Cloud 9 Coffee!
We’ve come a long way – in square footage, staff, offerings, and experience. But we’ve never stopped serving Bakersfield’s best coffee.
Here’s a link to our website, where you can read/watch/learn more about us: https://cloud9coffeeco.com/aboutus
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The most obvious obstacle we’ve faced has been, of course, the Pandemic that hit last year. By the grace of God, we made it through that (and actually thrived!) and are looking toward the future now. But some lesser-known struggles have been just the fact that we started so small and have truly been a grassroots project. I was 21 when I opened Cloud 9, so I was learning as I went. We’re still not a huge corporation + we have a lot of room for growth, but I am so proud of how far we’ve come. Our initial trailer literally fell apart (turns out the guy I hired to build it in 2017 was a crook), so I’ve had to start over many times. But God has been good to us, and the Bakersfield community has never stopped showing up.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Bakersfield has a bad rap, we all know that. But those of us who are here, grinding every day, are seeing new life in the Central Valley. We have new + cool businesses popping up every day, and I’m proud to say that Cloud 9 is just one of the many things that make Bakersfield awesome.
Cloud 9 is one of Bakersfield first third-wave specialty coffee shops, and we are constantly thinking of new + cool things to bring to our community – from unique gifts, monthly maker’s markets, and fresh flowers to insanely good coffee, tea, pastries, and brunch… we really are offering something totally different than other local spots. It’s a little slice of LA or SD, right here in Bakersfield.
How do you define success?
Honestly, it’s always changing. There was a time when I thought success meant lots of money, nice cars, big house, etc. But I’m discovering now that I am more fulfilled in my job now than I ever have been (and completely content with less “things”). Success is being able to know your customers – walk through life with them, serve them, and love them well. Success is being a member of the community that is appreciated and known for operating an environmentally-friendly, customer-centered business.
For example, we recently planned + threw a graduation party for a young couple that were customers during our trailer days! We actually brought our white bus to their wedding and have been an active part of their lives since. It’s such an honor, a blessing, and it fully encapsulates what success is for me.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.cloud9coffeeco.com
- Instagram: @cloud9coffeeco
Image Credits:
Creatiful Co. Marcel Galindo Logan Slusser
