Local grommet Cooper Palmer has proven that you’re never too young to start a business
Words Emily Perkins
In 2021, the then 13-year-old, launched his clothing brand – Surfing Is My Coffee. The name came about a year before, when Cooper was doing a surf check with his mates while his parents were getting coffee. As they stood on the grainy sand with the waves rolling in, Cooper said to his mates, “surfing is my coffee”. With his supportive parents’ help, it was later decided that they would trademark the name and turn it into a business. Since then, Cooper’s brand has gained some traction and he has learnt a barrel of knowledge along the way!
How did you feel when your parents suggested turning your design into a business?
I was a bit nervous at the start. I knew that starting a business would take a lot of time and effort and the thought of juggling this with starting Year 8, which has an increased school workload, was a bit daunting. After this initial thought settled down, I knew that there would be a great reward at the end and so I started to look forward to the possibility.
What’s your favourite part about Surfing Is My Coffee?
My favourite part has been the ability to share with people the love of surfing and the joy that the sport can bring to anyone's life.
What do your friends think about you starting your own business?
My friends think that it’s pretty cool that they know someone who started their own business at the age of just 13. They have been really supportive and most of them wear my merch. My Woonona Boardriders community, especially President Jeremy Barnett, has also backed me all the way and gotten behind my brand, allowing me to set up my stall at Boardriders events.
What lessons have you learnt so far from running your business?
I have learnt that the community values face-to-face buying more than just online. In the beginning, we had been told by so many people that we could start and build a business predominantly online and via social media. So, we decided to set up the Instagram page and website, planning that the business would mostly get sales and exposure through these platforms. But it wasn't until we went to our first market stalls that we quickly discovered that customers want to come down and actually meet me, have a chat, and to touch, feel and see the product. We have now done three market stalls and each time our sales and customer interaction have been huge, much bigger than online! I am also learning how to best engage with customers and the community – as my mum calls it, networking. I have discovered that talking matters! I have learnt about the costs of running a business, and how profit and loss works. As well as about product placement at stalls and how to market my brand.
What do you get up to when you’re not creating clothing?
Surfing, of course… and schoolwork. Aside from that, I enjoy skating, mountain bike riding and hanging out with my mates.
How do you balance running your own business with school?
Well, it is a hard thing to do as I don’t get home from school until 4:20pm and then I want to fit in a surf before homework and dinner. My parents are really supportive and help me find the balance. They help me prioritise schoolwork and the business’s needs. If business things need doing while I am at school, my mum or dad will help out.
You held a stall at Coledale Markets, how did that go?
It went phenomenally for our first market! We had an incredible response from the wider Wollongong community who came out to see me and encourage me along with my interest in building Surfing Is My Coffee. Lots of people gave me tips and tricks on how to run and grow a business, how to network with people and other businesses, and product advice.
Have you felt supported by the community?
Totally! I have been blown away by the incredible amount of support and engagement that the entire community has given me; from mums and dads, the local surfing community, other local business owners, and local media. I could never have imagined this level of support and interest.
You have a good following on social media! What do you think has made your business popular so far?
My story! I didn't realise how much people would be interested in a young teenager starting up his own business, I thought that they would just seriously love the brand. I know we have a great product range, so that helps, but also the phrase ‘Surfing Is My Coffee’ fully resonates with our surf-cultured community.
What are your goals for Surfing Is My Coffee?
One of my long-term goals is to grow the business to be as big and recognisable as Billabong and Rip Curl. My short-term goals are to keep learning and educating myself on business smarts. I am going to do commerce in Year 10 at school and then probably business studies after that. We have also recently achieved the goal of bringing on a brand ambassador, Skye Burgess. Skye is a local female surfer who has competed in WQS events, and won her first event back in 2016. We are also growing the product range, and branching out to beach towels and socks.
Do you have any advice for other people your age who want to create their own business?
Honestly, go for it, it's worth the experience! You learn so many things and meet great people. You will have such a great time as you do all of this, and possibly surprise yourself along the way.
For more, check out surfingismycoffee.com.au