We’re partnering with Trainual, an onboarding and training software for small businesses, to highlight a local female entrepreneur who has found success using the platform. See how Trainual is changing the game when it comes to leveling up the people and the processes that keep these businesses running smoothly every single day.
Profile: After realizing how impossible it was to find a high-quality cup of coffee inside the workplace or on-the-go, Teal Cooper and her brother, Tristan, came up with a solution: VendiBean. They reinvented the coffee vending machine, which is stuck with a reputation of dispensing gross coffee, and instead created a machine that dispenses a barista-quality cup of joe.
Teal’s goal for the brand: Enhance people’s daily lives with high-quality coffee, whether in the office, colleges, hospitals, or on military bases. | Graphic by SDtoday, Photo provided by Trainual
We asked Teal what advice she has for other entrepreneurs, what makes the San Diego business community special + her go-to coffee order.
Q: What got you interested in the entrepreneurial journey and starting your own business?
A: Growing up, both of my parents were very entrepreneurial. I didn’t understand what that meant at the time, but they instilled an entrepreneurial mindset and spirit in me from a young age.
In college, I remember not really excelling at any certain subject or feeling passionate towards any type of class or career. It wasn’t until the idea of VendiBean came about during my junior year that I felt, for the first time in my life, a whole-body-consuming passion and desire for my calling of being an entrepreneur. In college, my brother, Tristan, and I saw a massive need for high-quality coffee conveniently located and open 24/7.
After graduating we saw a massive gap in the office coffee space as well lacking high-quality solutions teams truly loved. We realized how archaic both industries were and used our fresh perspectives to solve a need we passionately felt was lacking.
Q: What are some of the most important characteristics a leader can have?
A: A great leader is someone who has the ability to see someone’s strengths, understand what lights them up, and how to fulfill their purpose in order to contribute to their personal self-growth.
Other important characteristics of a good leader are great communication skills, someone who can align their team on expectations, excitement, and passion for their overall company vision.
Q: What makes San Diego’s business community special?
A: San Diego’s business community is special because of how small and close-knit it feels when in reality it is pretty extensive. The business community has always been so eager and generous to offer help, suggestions, or advice during times of need.
Keep reading for Teal’s answers on the best advice she’s received, what she thinks a perfect day in San Diego looks like + more.*
San Diego Padres vs. Arizona Diamondbacks | Wed., June 22 | 1:10 p.m. | Petco Park | $20+ | The final round of this series also features a post-game concert at Gallagher Square: AJR’s OK Orchestra Tour with BoyWithUke (concert tickets cost $45.50). ⚾
Joe Sib | Wed., June 22 | 8 p.m. | The Comedy Store | $20 | The punk rock singer turned comedian performs live at the La Jolla venue. 🎤
Thursday
Salsa Under the Stars | Thurs., June 23 | 6-9 p.m. | Little Italy Food Hall | Free | The Manny Cepeda Orchestra plays live on the Piazza della Famiglia while you boogie — no experience or partner necessary. 💃
She & Him | Fri., June 24 | 7:30 p.m. | Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay | $40+ | Duo M. Ward + “New Girl” star Zooey Deschanel jam at the waterfront venue. 🎤
Saturday
Comedy Booze Cruise | Sat., June 25 | 1617 Quivira Rd. | $30 | Cruise Mission Bay with a cash bar and a night of laughter with four comedians. 🛳️
Poway Farmers Market | Saturdays | 8 a.m.-1 p.m. | Old Poway Park | 65+ vendors offer their finest produce and made-to-order food — usually alongside live music. 🍓
Plan Ahead
Jerry Seinfeld | Fri., Sept. 16 | 7 p.m. | San Diego Civic Theatre*
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
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The Encinitas City Council voted unanimously to extend its Safe Parking Program by three years — running through June 30, 2025. The project is operated by Jewish Family Services in the Community + Senior Center lot on Oakcrest Park Drive, and allows unhoused individuals to park overnight without being removed or ticketed. 🚗 (The Coast News Group)
Concert
Snapdragon Stadium isn’t open yet, but it’s already planning to bring Margaritaville to San Diego for its first concert. Jimmy Buffett + The Coral Reefer Band will perform on Sat., Oct. 22, at 7 p.m. with Jason Mraz and Mac McAnally. Tickets go on sale to the public at 10 a.m. — or 5 o’clock somewhere — on Fri., June 24. 🍔
Travel
A gallon of gas in San Diego County took a premium price drop on Tuesday, declining by 1.6 cents — the largest downtick since April 13. This marked the county’s sixth consecutive day on the decline, decreasing a total of 4.9 cents and bringing the average price to $6.324 per gallon. ⛽ (KPBS)
Community
The Balboa Park Carousel will be horsing around all summer. Hours have extended to 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through Fri., Aug 26 — the first day of school for some local students — as opposed to just being open Saturdays, Sundays + school holidays. If you’d like to give it a spin, guests can enjoy free rides on Mon., July 25, for National Carousel Day. 🎠 (SDnews.com)
Tech
UC San Diego researchers from the DigiHealth Lab have developed an app that helps detect Alzheimer’s using the front-facing infrared camera on a Google Pixel 4. The software measures pupil response time, which detects early symptoms because the eyes operate in the same region of the brain as the disease. 🧠 (Verge)
Biz
Locals Juliana Anthony Hernández + Elena Gaona started a new chapter in their careers with the opening of La Joya Press. The publishing house was launched with the goal of promoting multicultural stories. The authors’ first book — “Entre Amigos (Between Friends)” — was released this month with illustrations by Mexican artist Ely Ely. 📚 (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Real Estate
California Coastal Commission + San Diego City Council unanimously voted to require accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to include a parking spot in coastal communities without access to frequent bus or trolley service. Previously, these ADUs fell under a blanket exception, but residents were using too many public parking spaces. 🅿️ (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Closing
After four years serving authentic Philly cheesesteaks, Calozzi’s Cheesesteaks will be closing its brick-and-mortar location in Pacific Beach. But owner Al Calozzi has plans to roll out a food truck to serve the Philadelphia delicacy by the end-of-summer. 🚚 (SanDiegoVille)
Arts
San Diego State University will be singing a new tune to “In a Sunshine State” — the winner of its New Musical Initiative that’s set to premiere in spring of 2024. The LGBTQ+ romance was written by T.C. Lind, Derek Gregor + Phoebe Kreutz and tells the story of an English professor in 1950s Florida who falls in love with a dean at her university. 🎭(Broadway World)
Ranked
San Diego is highly rated: According to Yelp, Balboa Park is the No. 1 most photographed landmark in the US + Canada, with over 10,000 pictures being uploaded to the review site. But that’s not our only picture-perfect location — the Cabrillo National Monument ranks No. 22 while Old Town San Diego State Historic Park comes in at No. 36. 📸 (Yelp)
The Word
“Real estate resiliency.” The term coined by Opendoor to describe the dedicated approach to home ownership displayed by home buyers + sellers across the country, despite the highly competitive housing market. 🏡*
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But the lowrider is a little higher on this five-story mural, depicting the culture + excitement for the cars. Eight artists created the piece, led by renowned muralist Victor Ochoa, and they made the images shine by using gold metal flakes in the paint. ✨
Editor’s pick: Good morning, San Diego. I’m a bit of a trivia buff, but I recently learned a local fact that I didn’t know: The movie “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” was based on the class of 1979 at Clairemont High School.
If this was obvious, please forgive me. I wasn’t born yet, but we do have more star-studded trivia if you want to test your knowledge.
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