The Mindful Mug

It has been quite a journey so far, and I hadn’t even opened the doors yet! Nothing has gone to plan, and at times I’ve seriously considered walking away. But I’ve come too far, poured in too much passion, and I’m determined to bring The Mindful Mug to life.

Finding the Café

The decision to open my own café wasn’t planned – it was, in fact, a total accident. Just before Christmas, my best friend and I were wandering around Lincoln, trying to find a quiet, pushchair-friendly café – a rare gem in this city. As we made our way up Steep Hill, the squirrel in me noticed a sign for “The CBD Coffee Lounge.” Intrigued, we decided to pop in. I’d never seen it before, and at the time, I was a cannabis smoker (more on that later), so the CBD part caught my attention.

The place was empty. We weren’t even sure it was open until a bouncy, welcoming woman appeared from nowhere. She greeted us with warmth, treated my baby Luca like royalty, and created an environment that felt calm and safe. We ordered CBD-infused coffee and ended up staying for hours – something I never usually did. The stressful morning I’d had melted away. I felt relaxed, happy, and at peace.

Putting Myself Out There

During our chat, the manager mentioned she was struggling with planning an event for the university. As someone who had just graduated and loves Canva, I offered to help. I saw a potential opportunity – I was bored, unemployed, and craving something to do. My mental health was fragile. So, I helped with the event and then took the plunge – I asked for a job.

The café owner explained they couldn’t pay me because the business wasn’t making much money. But I had just completed my Level 2 Business Start-up course, I had ideas bubbling up, and frankly, I was bored out of my mind. We struck a deal: I’d work for free and take a wage if I could help increase sales. What could go wrong?

I threw myself into the role. I loved the creative freedom, connecting with customers, and learning more about CBD. It felt like I had found my place. I was thriving.

But reality hit hard.

I began to see why the café was struggling. Inconsistent opening hours, a lack of clear direction, and a toxic relationship between the people running it. I found myself stuck in the middle, emotionally drained, and overworked. Eventually, I handed the keys back. I wasn’t being paid, and while I loved the work, it was no longer sustainable. I believed in the vision. I wanted the business to succeed. But as the saying goes: you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.

A New Beginning

Not long after, the owner asked if I’d consider taking over the management of the café. I declined – not because I didn’t want to, but because I knew it wasn’t right. The business wasn’t profitable, and I had no idea what baggage might come with trying to run it under someone else’s ownership. The damage from the inconsistent opening hours had already given the café a bad reputation, and I didn’t want to inherit that mess.

Still, the idea wouldn’t leave me. The space had potential, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was meant to do something with it. So, I began the process of negotiating the lease to take over The Mindful Mug myself.

That process… was hell.

I faced delay after delay. Paperwork issues, last-minute demands, confusion over contracts – everything that could go wrong did. There were moments when I was ready to give up entirely. I was juggling motherhood, finances, and trying to launch a wellness-focused café in a building that felt like it was actively resisting me. But I kept going. I am going. Because I believe in this space, in what The Mindful Mug can become.

We’re now finally moved in, and while the doors have only just opened, the vision is clearer than ever. A warm, neurodivergent-friendly, wellness-first café space – with CBD as our unique, calming twist. The Mindful Mug isn’t just about coffee. It’s about creating a space to breathe.

And we’re only just getting started.