What motivated you to start your business and what is your vision for the future of the company?

Our journey with Bobagoat began long before we opened our first stand. Growing up on the Sunshine Coast, bubble tea was always a special treat during our trips to Vancouver. It became a cherished tradition we looked forward to with each visit to the city. The idea for Bobagoat started to take shape during the challenging times of 2020. Travel restrictions prevented our usual trips to Vancouver, leaving us craving the bubble tea experience we couldn't access. As things began to open up again in 2022, we realized the Sunshine Coast lacked quality bubble tea options. Existing offerings were often afterthoughts on restaurant menus, lacking the specialization and quality we'd grown to love. This realization sparked our entrepreneurial spirit. We saw an opportunity to bring something special to our community - not just a drink, but an experience we'd been missing. Throughout the fall of 2022, we dedicated ourselves to planning, experimenting with recipes, and figuring out how to bring authentic, high-quality bubble tea to the Sunshine Coast. Our official launch on June 3rd, 2023, at Sechelt's Pride event, marked the beginning of Bobagoat's presence in the community. The instant success and joy we saw on people's faces as they tasted our bubble tea confirmed that we were onto something special. Riding this wave of enthusiasm, we committed to operating almost every Saturday at the Sechelt Farmers Market throughout that first summer and into October. This consistent presence allowed us to build a loyal customer base and refine our offerings based on community feedback. Currently, we operate primarily through our food trailer at the Sechelt Pier and by participating in local events and community gatherings. We craft our drinks using premium teas blended by local artisans, inspired by Vancouver and Taiwanese bubble tea traditions. Our commitment to quality and authenticity has quickly made us a favorite among locals and visitors alike. As young entrepreneurs (22 and 18 years old), we're actively involved in every aspect of the business. We're not just serving drinks; we're creating experiences and building relationships within our community. We've also started initiatives to support local youth sports teams, using our business as a platform for positive local impact. In our commitment to sustainability, we've become one of the first bubble tea businesses in Canada to use "The Good Cup" - a 100% home biodegradable and paper recyclable cup. This decision sets us apart and aligns with the values of our coastal community. Looking ahead, we have concrete plans to grow and improve Bobagoat, with a clear understanding of our community's needs and the importance of tourism to the Sunshine Coast. Our strategy centers on flexibility, adaptability, and lean operations, allowing us to meet our customers where they are, whether they're locals or visitors enjoying the coast. We're investing in enhancing our mobile operations, which includes purchasing more equipment to allow us to attend up to 3 events at the same time. This will enable us to serve more customers at busy events and markets without compromising on the quality that has become our hallmark. A key part of our growth plan is our commitment to our team. We're investing heavily in our people, recognizing that they are crucial to our success. This includes comprehensive training to ensure every team member can craft our drinks to the highest standards, as well as education about the origins and history of bubble tea. We believe that well-informed, skilled, and enthusiastic staff not only provide better service but also enhance the overall experience for both residents and visitors. In terms of our product offerings, we're working on expanding our menu with a focus on seasonal specialties that incorporate local ingredients. We aim to launch new flavors regularly, reflecting the changing seasons and highlighting the best of what the Sunshine Coast has to offer. These steps form the foundation of our vision for Bobagoat's future. We're excited about the potential for growth within our mobile model and the opportunity to continue serving and expanding within our community. Our goal is to become a beloved part of the Sunshine Coast experience for both residents and visitors, all while maintaining the quality and values that have defined us from the start.

Why do you deserve to win the Best Youth Entrepreneur Award?

We believe our work with Bobagoat shows promise worthy of the Best Youth Entrepreneur Award. We started Bobagoat because we saw a want in our community for quality bubble tea. In just over a year, we've gone from an idea to a growing business. Our sales have increased significantly, from 2,600 drinks in our first summer to over 8,000 since this June. This growth has certainly validated that we're providing a product people want. We chose a mobile business model to quickly and affordably reach more customers across the Sunshine Coast. This approach has allowed us to be present at various community events and markets, serving both locals and tourists. It's been a learning experience in flexibility and adaptability. This has also enabled us to operate a very efficient and lean business model. Living in a coastal community, surrounded by beautiful nature in every direction, has long instilled in us a deep commitment to consider the environmental impact of our business. We offer The Good Cup, a fully biodegradable paper cup with a built-in paper lid, eliminating the need for single use plastic. Our straws are made from biodegradable bamboo fiber, providing an eco-conscious alternative to traditional plastic straws. At our food trailer we utilize recycled mason jars as optional for here cups. As young business owners, we've had to learn a lot quickly. We've created jobs for other local youth, and we're committed to training our team well. We believe in uplifting people, and that having good people is crucial to long term business and personal success. We are active in our community beyond just selling teas. We've worked with local youth sports teams by both hosting fundraisers, and donating product. It's so important to us that Bobagoat contributes positively to the people of the local community who support us day in and day out. We believe we're deserving of this award not because we've got it all figured out, but because we're working hard, learning constantly, and trying to build a business that serves our community well. Our journey with Bobagoat shows that with enough determination and community support young people can create something meaningful and impactful to thousands.

Why do you think you should win the Premier’s People’s Choice Award?

Bobagoat embodies the spirit of young entrepreneurship and community engagement that the Premier's People's Choice Award celebrates. As two local brothers who transformed our lifelong experience in Sunshine Coast markets into an innovative business, we represent the next generation of BC entrepreneurs. Our success stems from identifying and filling a gap in our local food scene, bringing the popular bubble tea beverage to our coastal community in a way that resonates with local tastes and values. We've done this by: 1. Supporting local businesses: We source our premium teas from local artisans, fostering a network of collaboration within our community. 2. Environmental consciousness: We're committed to sustainable practices, actively working to reduce our environmental impact in an industry often criticized for its plastic usage. Bobagoat is one of the first bubble tea businesses in Canada to offer "The Good Cup," a 100% home or commercial biodegradable and paper recyclable cup. Our commitment to eco-friendly practices sets a new standard in an industry often criticized for its plastic usage. 3. Community integration: By participating in local events, we're becoming a beloved part of coastal life, creating a gathering spot and a recognizable brand for residents and visitors alike up and down the coast. 4. Youth empowerment and support: As young entrepreneurs, we serve as role models for other youth in our community. We also actively support the local community by partnering with youth sports teams for fundraising initiatives, helping them achieve their goals while introducing our products to a wider audience. 5. Bridging cultures: We bring a taste of Vancouver and Taiwan to the Sunshine Coast, introducing new flavors, experiences, and ideas to our community while meeting local preferences. Winning this award would not only validate our hard work and vision but also shine a spotlight on the Sunshine Coast's vibrant small business scene. It would inspire other young entrepreneurs in smaller communities to pursue their dreams and contribute to local economic growth. At Bobagoat, we're not just serving bubble tea; we're brewing community spirit, one cup at a time. We believe this dedication to our roots, coupled with our innovative approach and community impact, makes us worthy contenders for the Premier's People's Choice Award.