A Taste of Tomorrow
The time to start is now.
Eric was like many college students, juggling the pressures of exams, assignments, and a part-time job. But unlike his peers, he had a vision that stretched far beyond the walls of his late-night donut shop in a bustling corner of town. While others saw the donut shop as a means to an end—a way to pay rent or buy textbooks—Eric saw it as something else entirely. To him, it was a stepping stone, a small but important part of a bigger dream.
He had always been passionate about creating things that could make a difference—businesses that didn’t just profit, but uplifted people and supported their communities. Eric envisioned a network of sustainable businesses, each one serving as a platform for young entrepreneurs, a place where they could learn, grow, and give back. His ultimate goal was to help shape a new generation of leaders, people who understood that success wasn’t just about financial gain, but about the positive impact you could leave on the world.
But with every long shift in the donut shop, every hour spent covered in flour and sugar, that dream seemed to drift further and further out of reach. Between studying, working late, and simply trying to keep up with the demands of life, Eric felt as though his vision was always just beyond his grasp. His dream felt small compared to the overwhelming realities of bills, deadlines, and responsibilities.
One particularly long night, as Eric handed a warm bag of donuts to a regular customer, something unexpected happened. The woman, who had been coming into the shop for weeks, smiled as she took the bag from him.
“You’ve got something special,” she said, her eyes kind and knowing. “Don’t let it go.”
Eric blinked, stunned by her words. She wasn’t just talking about the donuts. It was as though she had seen through him, understood something about his struggle, his dream, the quiet hope he held onto every day.
As the door swung shut behind her, Eric stood there, the words echoing in his mind. You’ve got something special. Don’t let it go.
That night, instead of spending another hour doubting himself, Eric decided to act. He grabbed his notebook, the one he had been scribbling ideas in for months, and began drafting a plan. He wrote about sustainable practices, how he could reduce waste in his business, how to create a space for young people to collaborate, and how to make a real difference. He knew it wouldn’t be easy, and it certainly wouldn’t be perfect—but he also knew that he could no longer afford to wait for the perfect moment.
The next few months were a whirlwind. Eric worked tirelessly, finishing his degree, securing a small grant, and laying the groundwork for his dream. His late-night shifts at the donut shop became less about paying bills and more about gaining insight into running a business. He learned about customer service, inventory, and how to create a sense of community in even the smallest spaces. All of these lessons, while simple, were essential building blocks for his dream.
Finally, after months of hard work, setbacks, and long nights, Eric opened the doors to his first sustainable café. It wasn’t much—just a small, cozy space with recycled furniture, locally sourced ingredients, and a corner dedicated to young entrepreneurs to work, share ideas, and grow. The café was far from perfect. There were hiccups in the kitchen, the coffee machine malfunctioned a few times, and not all of his ideas worked out as planned. But when he looked around at the faces of the people who came through the door—students, young entrepreneurs, and even a few local residents—it felt like the beginning of something truly special.
Eric had created something meaningful, something he could be proud of. His vision, once a distant dream, had finally taken shape. It was imperfect, it was still growing, but it was his. It was the first step toward something much larger—a network of businesses that would empower the next generation and create a lasting impact.
As Eric stood behind the counter, serving customers and chatting with the young entrepreneurs who were already filling the space with ideas, he smiled to himself. The road ahead would be long, but for the first time in a long time, he believed he was on the right path. He had something special. And he wasn’t going to let it go.
Created by Erica Latasha
