Exploring Life & Business with Bao Vo of Fat Bee Safe Shawnee

Today we’d like to introduce you to Bao Vo.

Hi Bao, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am Bao (Brayan) Vo and I was born in NhaTrang, Vietnam. I have a degree in Business Management, and I graduated in 2015. During college, I worked and helped out at my in-law’s coffee shop as a part-time barista. It’s there where I truly started to love coffee and boba drinks. I realized that I enjoyed working at the café shop for the drinks and the diverse people I was fortunate to meet. I love coffee and boba drinks. They are one of the best beverages available in today’s market. Five years after finishing school, I decided to put what I learned in college to the test. That’s when I discovered the Fat Bee café Franchise. I would love to use my skills and knowledge by opening my first coffee and boba shop in Shawnee, Kansas.

You wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been smooth?
Starting a small business in this tough economy takes a lot of work. I ensure I am fully prepared for the day and don’t fall under pressure. It has been more challenging for me to make hard decisions about what is working and what is not, from finding locations, building the shop, ordering equipment, keeping up with inventory, hiring staff, and training employees. Our store only has been open for two months. Therefore we still need help to build every single customer.

Thanks for sharing that. So, you could tell us a bit more about your business.
Fat Bee Cafe Shawnee is at 13223 Shawnee Mission Pkwy, Shawnee, Kansas. Our Fat Bee is a Vietnamese Artisan Boba Café specializing in making quality coffee, teas, milk tea, slushies, and coffee. With fresh coffee beans and tea leaves from a Vietnam plantation base in the highland central, Fat Bee’s mission is to introduce the best-tasting drink quality from Fat Bee to the world. Our highlight series include signature coffee, cold brew milk tea, fruit tea refresher, slushies, and desserts. All of our supplies and products are approved by the FDA and USDA.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @fatbeecafe_shawnee