Found Coffee House & Vintage Shop began with a simple idea: to create the kind of place Adriel and Ryan Booker wanted to see in their own community.
Since opening their business in Victor Harbor in April 2025, that idea has developed into much more than a café. Found Coffee House & Vintage Shop brings together specialty coffee and homemade food with vintage and second-hand retail, co-working opportunities, community events and a strong commitment to sustainability.
It is a place designed for people to meet, work, browse and connect, while demonstrating that environmental responsibility can be embedded into the everyday operation of a successful small business.
Adriel and Ryan brought experience in leadership, community development and hospitality to their new venture, but establishing and running a business required a different set of skills.
Through Self-Employment Assistance, delivered by Auctus Training & Education, they accessed Small Business Training and Small Business Coaching. The program helped them work through business planning, budgeting, cash flow, compliance and risk management, while mentoring provided an opportunity to test ideas and identify potential challenges before making important decisions.
“Having access to experienced, independent advice allowed us to test ideas, identify potential challenges and make informed decisions with greater confidence.”
Adriel and Ryan say the support helped them avoid costly mistakes, reduce risk during the start-up phase and establish strong foundations for a business that continues to grow and adapt.
More than a café
Sustainability has been central to Found from the beginning.
The business operates without disposable takeaway cups, encourages reusable alternatives, diverts food scraps from landfill and uses second-hand and repurposed furnishings. Its vintage retail space, Style Room, clothes swaps, book exchange and other reuse initiatives also encourage customers to participate in the circular economy.
Found’s rent-a-rack program has created opportunities for local people to earn income through second-hand clothing, while the business also supports other small businesses, makers and creatives.
Perhaps one of Found’s greatest achievements is the community that has developed around the business.
Reading groups, workshops, community gatherings and other events provide opportunities for conversation, creativity and social connection. At the same time, Found has grown from an owner-operated start-up into a business providing local employment and has established a loyal customer base.
Adriel and Ryan’s journey shows how self-employment can bring together commercial opportunity, personal values and community impact.
