The Blended Bean
Every day, mommies are always on the run sifting through the hay of everyone’s needs and wants. “Mommy! Where is my backpack? Mommy! I need help with a math problem. Mommy! I want to go to my friend’s house.”
Every morning, we start sprinting, and usually it’s towards the coffee pot. Although, many of us drink coffee at home, sometimes we need a second coffee while doing the errand Chicken Dance. So, many of us look forward to that second coffee in the afternoon because it signifies a sense of peace and a mitigating moment.
"Something so simple, but something I love doing, making these coffees, could be such a small gesture for a stay-at-home mom that has five kids that are driving her insane. It’s a small thing for some people that can say, 'I don’t have to do this for myself; somebody else can do this for me.’ For some people, it’s that little bit of sanity,” Hailey explained.
Hailey Defelice is the owner of The Blended Bean coffee trailer. Many days she hands out coffees to moms, dads, workers or eventgoers who either want a delicious “pick-me-up” or a smidge of syrupy sanity. Therefore, they wait patiently in line for her specialty coffees, “Blended Beans” (frozen coffee), cold brews, de-caffeinated drinks, and other fresh espresso options.
Before customers started to form a line at The Blended Bean’s window, formation began of an endearing and essential dream.
“About a year ago we found out my dad had end stages Pulmonary Fibrosis. He received a double lung transplant back in February of this year. I had two children in daycare, and they were sick often. We couldn’t be around my dad if we were all sick. That was getting hard on us and the kids because we couldn’t see my mom or dad,” Hailey explained.
The desired coffee trailer dream started to whirl with spoken wishes that would eventually become existent with the sounds of grinding beans and talkative customer happiness.
“I brought up opening a mobile coffee trailer to my husband a few times because work (Leading Home Care) started to get hectic in my field. So, with the kids being sick and my dad being sick, I didn’t know which way we were turning at that point.” Hailey stated.
“My husband sat up and said, ‘If this is really what you want to do, quit your job and we’ll focus on the trailer portion,’” she added.
The destined dark gray trailer awaited Hailey in Douglas, Georgia. When the empty trailer was pulled home and parked in Gray, Louisiana, Hailey’s husband, friends, and family helped fabricate The Blended Bean’s future.
Before the coffee trailer could officially open to the public, permits had to be pulled and endorsement of a commissary had to be completed. The road to the peak of establishment was a high incline pull to the top. Even though, a hard and slow climb, Hailey “pulled over” to seek wisdom and to “tighten” the hopeful hitch.
“I was struggling with the commissary. I reached out to Jazz with Mellow Mug, and she really helped me. It was stressful, so I put on Facebook if anyone ever needed help opening a mobile food trailer, I would be happy to help,” Hailey stated.
When she finally arrived at the peak, her commissary base was bestowed by Tracey, owner of New York Bagel in Houma. Then, the aroma of espresso started to make its way down the mountain and liven local customers’ senses.
“Tracey with New York Bagel has been so wonderful…absolutely wonderful to us,” Hailey said.
The Blended Bean officially started to unhitch and serve crafted coffees on August 2nd of 2024. As the sweet creations are handed out the window, girly pink detailing symbolizes the coffee trailer’s perky personality and Hailey’s love of the “tapping” upbeat color.
Therefore, with the occasional help of her husband, Joey, her sister, Britani McBroom, and sometimes her animated children, “sweet pink” consistent drinks are handed out daily. On occasion, a customer will hear a three-year-old giggle and say, “Hi! Can I take your order?”
“I don’t like going somewhere and getting coffee and being disappointed. So, when I officially opened, I prided myself on quality and consistency,” Hailey stated.
“We definitely pride ourselves on the freshness and the quality of the beans…the quality of the product and making sure it’s consistent every time it goes out the window,” she added.
The daily familiar taste is attributed to a NOLA roaster, and the quickness in which the bean is grinded and served to locals.
"The roaster has been absolutely wonderful to work with," Hailey said.
“The roast is fresh, and the flavors are all there. We get everything by the whole bean and grind it on the trailer that way it’s always fresh. The extraction and taste are perfect every time. Beans are fresh for two weeks and we don’t even make it two weeks,” she added.
Fresh and fun experiences can also be tasted in the kids drinks that The Blended Bean whips up. The two choices are Abram’s Cotton Candy Mania and Jude’s Frozen Hot Cocoa.
“Jude is my rambunctious three-year-old and loves chocolate, so it suits him perfectly. My six-year-old son, Abram, loves cotton candy,” Hailey explained.
Hailey enjoys crafting signature coffees such as the popular Caramel Praline Macchiato. Her experience, as well as her sister’s, extends from past coffee craftsmanship. For a time, Hailey worked as a barista at PJ’s Coffee in Terrebonne General Hospital and a barista/shift lead at a busy PJ’s off the interstate in Mandeville.
“I loved being a barista and making drinks. You got to the point where you loved seeing your regulars. You could make eye contact from across the room, and you immediately knew that they were getting their normal drink,” Hailey stated.
The intimacy of serving coffees to an elated first-time dad or a sorrowful family member has mixed into The Blended Bean’s present atmosphere. Espresso notes of empathy and friendship exude from the rosy trailer.
“It’s more on a personable level. You can make that conversation with them. I want to acknowledge everyone that comes,” Hailey said.
The Blended Bean serves an array of areas from Houma and Thibodaux to the “itty bitty” cities. Hailey is attentive and considerate of small communities. She notices the scarcity of caramel or mocha syrup…the scarcity of specialty options. Therefore, Hailey has sought to set up at the tiny places that seem to blend into a forgotten cold coffee, making espresso drinks accessible.
“I feel like the little communities are forgotten about. For example, Petit Bayou/ Bourg and Chauvin don’t have coffee options,” Hailey explained.
"Casey with Country Kids Learning Academy reached out to me to setup our trailer. They quickly became a permanent spot on our schedule every Thursday because the feedback was so amazing! We love going down there. Everyone has been so wonderful and kind! We will also be setting up every month at the Petit Bayou Farmer’s Market. The operator of the market came to me and said, ‘The marketgoers only have good things to say about your coffee; a lot of them were here for the coffee.’” she added.
The Blended Bean coffee trailer is aware of “small bean” needs and supports local businesses. Therefore, her poppy pink presence is usually requested to reward employees, invite the public or serve a passing regular their favorite frappe.
"I like to be able to support our local businesses. I think it’s great that businesses do these things for their employees, whether it be a form of reward or just because. I also enjoy that they do these things to support me as a small business. It gives everyone a chance to come by and grab a coffee. They also get to see what deals or specials they may be having or what they may be celebrating ,” Hailey said.
“I’m thankful for the welcoming businesses. You’re choosing us and allowing us to operate,” she added.
Hailey is beyond thankful for the inviting businesses and her customer base. She is grateful to the public for their support and enduring patience while she grinds, blends and hands out specialty coffees made with “pink heart” love.
“I am thankful for our repeated customers, and also when seeing new faces. I just really appreciate everyone,” Hailey said with a thankful heart.
The Blended Bean’s customers are affectionately acknowledged and therefore “spoon stir” Hailey’s creativity. Suggestions and requests lead to the blending of innovative coffee blends.
“When they say, ‘Wow! This is so good!’ That makes me happy. This isn’t for the money at all, I do it because I love it! My customers keep my creativity going and we want to have what people are asking for,” Hailey stated.
Hailey’s blush-like personality of sweetness blended with creative quality is noted by The Blended Bean’s market. As they grasp their drink, they take away a coffee that’s stickered pink with customer satisfaction.
“The Blended Bean is the best authentic coffee truck around, with the same great taste every time. I love a business that makes you feel welcome to be there. She services any part of town, no matter the area. I will always come back to a business that appreciates the customer. The Butter Pecan and Red Velvet are amazing,” Sadie Breaux, The Blended Bean customer, exclaimed.
When Hailey slides the coffee trailer window closed around 2pm, customers have come and went with tasty coffee creations and lasting “small-town” relationships. Moms, dads, students or employees have mitigated their chaotic moment and have left with happiness in a Blended Bean cup.
“I just want everyone to be happy and satisfied. By owning this coffee trailer and since being open, we get to meet people from all over. We love when we are able to build relationships with people,” Hailey ended.
To see The Blended Bean's menu, schedule, forms of payment, and more visit:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556081440895&mibextid=kFxxJD
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