Teenager's makeshift coffee drive-thru goes viral, revealing impressive earnings

Kelleby Pietro, an 18-year-old from Cubatão, São Paulo, has gained significant attention for his innovative, makeshift coffee drive-thru business. Operating from a bicycle equipped with coolers, Pietro prepares and sells coffee and water along Avenida Nove de Abril. His day begins as early as 4:30 AM, preparing coffee, and continues with sales throughout the morning, followed by studies in the evening. The business gained widespread popularity after Pietro began sharing his daily routine, including drink preparation and earnings, on social media platforms. His venture has attracted over 50,000 followers online, with videos accumulating millions of views. Pietro was inspired to start selling coffee after watching a video of another street vendor, noticing a lack of similar services in his city. He offers pure coffee, sugar-free coffee, and coffee with milk, all priced at R$4.00 per 120 ml cup. Beyond his usual spot, he also serves at events like health clinic queues and road races, often invited via social media. Initially, Pietro faced challenges gaining customer trust, with many drivers initially hesitant. He overcame this by offering free coffee samples, gradually building rapport and encouraging customers to record his work. The business's online success was significantly boosted when a customer's video of him went viral, exceeding 100,000 views. This motivated Pietro to actively create content, showcasing his preparation process to build trust with potential customers. To streamline transactions, he implemented a 'Pix da Confiança' (Trust Pix) system, where customers scan a QR code on the cup to pay later. While acknowledging occasional payment defaults, Pietro notes that the generosity of other customers, who sometimes overpay or leave tips, compensates for these losses. He also uses his platform to encourage aspiring entrepreneurs, offering advice and support.