Sunshine Coast solo mum opens Good Thanks Coffee in Maroochydore

A solo mum has jumped at the opportunity to open a cafe by herself just weeks after bringing her son into the world. Find out her incredible reason for taking on the venture.

Good Thanks Coffee founder Kate Fuller with her son, Alva. Photo: Supplied.

A Sunshine Coast solo mum has made what she describes as a “crazy” decision to open a cafe with her eight-week-old newborn after becoming fearless since surviving breast cancer.

Palmwoods single mother Kate Fuller, 34, opened multi-roaster cafe Good Thanks Coffee along Aerodrome Rd, Maroochydore on January 25 with her baby boy, Alva, who was only eight-weeks-old at the time.

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Ms Fuller, running the cafe by herself for six days a week, said she was pouring coffee for customers with her son in a baby strap for the first three weeks.

“Definitely crazy,” she said.

Good Thanks Coffee founder Kate Fuller. Photo: Supplied.

She said she wasn’t worried about juggling a new business and baby after being diagnosed with breast cancer at 29 and overcoming it, saying “I don’t have any fear” now.

“I’m not afraid to lose,” she said.

She added that her son was a “miracle baby” because she wasn’t supposed to be able to fall pregnant following her diagnosis.

Ms Fuller, who has previously worked in cafes, said she wanted to open her own space after frequenting cafes while working remotely as a sale representative for Seven Miles Coffee Roasters for three years.

Good Thanks Coffee along Aerodrome Rd, Maroochydore. Photo: Asa Andersen.

While she was 38 weeks pregnant, Ms Fuller said she made a “last minute” decision to sign a lease at her venue, which was already fitted out as it was previously home to a cafe called The Station.

Ms Fuller said her customers were slowly increasing, with many being young mums.

Ms Fuller, whose son is now at daycare while she works the coffee machine on weekdays, said her cafe’s niche was being a multi-roaster cafe.

Inside Good Thanks Coffee along Aerodrome Rd, Maroochydore. Photo: Asa Andersen.

She said this meant she used and showcased four different coffee roasters, which will change monthly.

Sunshine Coast Business Women’s Network president Min Swan said it’s common for expectant mothers with an entrepreneurial bone to open a small business as it allowed them to have an income and suit their new lifestyle.

“Motherhood will encourage them to do that,” she said, adding the importance of a support network for working young mums.