Sunshine Coast business owners Jake Jodvalkis and Kristy Knox open third cafe Sippy Social

A pair of hospitality dynamos have opened their third Sunshine Coast cafe, the second in less than a year, before the age of 30. Find out what’s driving their success.

A young couple is taking the Sunshine Coast hospitality industry by storm opening their third cafe marking their second business to be launched in just a matter of months.

Sunshine Coast couple Jake Jodvalkis, 26, and Kristy Knox, 27, opened their third vibrant cafe, Sippy Social, along Central Dr, Sippy Downs, in July, serving up coffee, smoothies, and ready-to-go healthy meals.

Ms Knox said they dived into a third venture when an opportunity arose to take over from an existing cafe, Miss May, rebrand it, and add key items such as healthy juices, smoothies, and pre-made meals.

“We’ve just gone for it,” she said.

Jake Jodvalkis, left, and Kristy Knox, right, holding their child, Koa. Picture: supplied.

The business-minded couple opened their first cafe – their “original baby” – Local Social Cafe in Forest Glen in 2018 before copy and pasting the cafe at The Wharf Mooloolaba in January.

Ms Knox said their third cafe had been “well received” with the number of customers doubling in the past two months, partly because of her existing fan base and a recent rise in healthier living.

She said people – whether gym goers, medical professionals, or even tradies – had been increasingly looking for healthy, ready-to-go meals in the past four years.

Customers enjoying Sippy Social. Picture: supplied.

“I feel like the Coast is taking a big shift,” she said.

Ms Knox said another reason behind their success was the community in the region and their team of “absolute legends”.

“(They) really drive us to open more cafes,” she said.

Customers enjoying Sippy Social. Picture: supplied.

Ms Knox said she was happy with three venues for now and said she had plenty of upcoming projects for them.

“Just need a few more team members to get us there,” she said.

Originally published as Sunshine Coast business owners Jake Jodvalkis and Kristy Knox open third cafe Sippy Social