How Catered by Luka Started With Hustle, Heart, and a Range Rover

Hi friends,

“It’s 5:30AM. It’s snowing sideways in Jackson Hole. I’m alone, pulling 200 pounds of equipment out of my Range Rover trunk while the town sleeps…”

Why did I decide to start my coffee catering business in the middle of winter? Why did I invest all this equipment right before the roads turned to ice? Honestly — I asked myself the same thing. 😅

Winters in Jackson Hole are slightly brutal. But when you have a vision, you move anyway.

I wanted to create something this town didn’t have — a high-end, mobile specialty coffee cart built for weddings, private gatherings, and corporate events. A service that wasn’t just functional, but intentional.

No Van. No Team. No Storage. Just Belief.

What I didn’t realize: my espresso machine weighs 100 pounds. And I’d be hauling it — solo.

People think I roll up, serve a $30 latte, and call it a day.

But behind the scenes, I’m dialing shots in the freezing cold. I’m setting up solo. I’m serving up to 200 guests with no assistant, no team — just a desire to make every single cup unforgettable.

Jackson Hole isn’t cheap. Housing is limited. I’m lucky to have a one-bedroom apartment — but no storage. That’s why the back of my Range Rover is currently my warehouse. Why don’t I rent a storage unit? Simple: the cost. I’d rather keep expenses lean until bookings are steady.

The First Trial Was Rough. But I Showed Up Anyway.

I gave a trial service to a potential client, only to find out they were already getting free coffee from a local roaster.

Still, I showed up. I delivered. I over-delivered — because that’s who I am. I carried gear into two separate rooms, served the team with warmth, and smiled through the exhaustion.

Was I frustrated? Definitely.

But I had a note in my book that said:

“Remember why you started.”

That reminder — and the taste of that first beautiful espresso — kept me going.

No Events? No Problem — I Went All In on the Backend

Since winter was slow, I went into builder mode.

I worked on my website, social content, pitch decks, and started cold-emailing planners and companies. Weeks went by with nothing. Then months.

And then…

Ferrari emailed me.

Asking if I was available for a private coffee service during their Jackson Hole Tour.

I thought it was a scam.

Until they called, confirmed details, and sent full payment. 🤯

The venue? AMANGANI — one of the original Aman properties in North America. I had emailed Aman months before and got told they weren’t hiring outside vendors.

But Ferrari had bought out the resort.

Suddenly, I was in.

From the Trunk to Aman — And Then New York

After the event, Ferrari asked me,

“Would you be able to come on tour with us?”

At the time until now, I’m still managing one of the highly rated cafés in Teton Village — Overview Coffee. I had to split my time, manage my energy, and show up for both.

Then Aman’s Food & Beverage Director asked if I’d be interested in consulting for their new property in New York.

Absolutely.

That moment connected me to the Aman Group — and changed everything.

What Luxury Means to Me

Luxury isn’t just aesthetics.

Luxury is getting what you want, exactly when you want it, and being served with warmth and care.

For me, luxury means:

• Consistency

• Hospitality

• A beautiful moment in the middle of an unforgettable day

That’s what we offer at Catered by Luka.

We launched with intention — using commercial-grade equipment designed to maintain high quality under pressure. My long-term goal? To open a brick-and-mortar space in Jackson Hole. But for now, the cart is the heart.

“The cart’s getting lighter. The vision’s getting clearer. And trust me — this is just the beginning.”

If you’re building something from scratch — or know someone who is — share this with them.
And if this resonated with you, hit subscribe. I’ve got more to say.