QT Rising Stars Under 25: Joshua Poole’s Ipswich coffee van success

A small-business owner in Haigslea has thanked the Ipswich community for its support in the QT Rising Stars competition.

Joshua Poole, 23, owner of Coffee By Josh. Picture: Jessica Baker

Haigslea coffee van owner Joshua Poole has been voted winner of Queensland Times’ Ipswich rising stars under 25 list.

Mr Poole, 23, outpolled plenty of other talented and inspirational young people in our area.

Our list of Ipswich’s favourite young influentials under 25 years old included professional athletes, small business owners and entrepreneurs, to community advocates and big-hearted volunteers.

Locals have grown to love Mr Poole’s business, Coffee by Josh, which he has been running since 2017 out of a little van after completing a hospitality course in high school.

He has since built a loyal following of more than 20,000 Facebook fans, with many regular customers.

Joshua Poole, 23, owner of Coffee By Josh. Picture: Jessica Baker

Mr Poole, who has an intellectual impairment, said working at the coffee van allowed him to socialise comfortably.

He hoped to inspire those around him and thanked the community for supporting his dream.

“I feel very happy,” Mr Poole said.

“I love people supporting me, and I thank them for that.

“Thank you for showing me lots of support.”

Joshua Poole with regular customer Rick Noy. Picture: Jessica Baker

He advised other local young people to never give up on their dreams and to work hard.

“Just try your hardest to chase your dreams,” he said.

You can keep up with Mr Poole on Facebook and test out his coffee van between 7am and 11am Wednesdays, 8am and 11am Thursdays, 7am and 11am Fridays, or 8am and 12pm on Saturdays.

Read more about Mr Poole’s journey here.

Originally published as QT Rising Stars Under 25: Joshua Poole’s Ipswich coffee van success