I’ve known Megan a very long time. She was one of my first friends in Orange County when Zion was just a baby. We met through my best friend Matthew and she was doing hair then! We’ve enjoyed each other socially as friends for years and have also worked together professionally for many of those years. I’m so proud of her – opening her own space and taking the risks involved to become an entrepreneur.
Jeni and I met when she had her baby girl, Carmen. Our daughters are only days apart so we kept in contact over social media in specific regard to raising newborns, breastfeeding, losing baby weight, vaccinations, etc. When we took our relationship offline, it was so interesting to hear how she worked her way from doing spray tans out of the trunk of her car to being owner of a successful franchise with what I believe to be 6-8 locations!
When these two girlfriends partnered up, I was excited to see what they would create. I was friends with both of them but didn’t know they were friends with each other! Haha… when those pieces of the puzzle came together for me, I knew this would be good.
Chris, Kirby and I were first on the scene – visiting on day one or two after they opened. The space is just fun… it’s cheeky, the branding is definitely edgy but sometimes it’s fun to take a walk on the wild side.
A Glossier inspired coffee shop and a modern meets vintage hair salon, these girls know how to have a good time and look good while doing so.
See below for a great interview with this dream team.
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Alatheia
How did you two conceptualize the idea behind Coffee Dose at East Eighteenth?
J: Megan and I go way back. almost 20 years. When she told me she was ready to open her own salon and wanted it to be “different” – coffee just made sense. I actually tried to hook her up with some other local coffee brands, but, in the end, I knew I couldn’t let this opportunity go. After a quick chat with my husband, we jumped on it! Megan actually thought I had lost my mind when I told her I wanted to be her partner.
M: It all started at the dog park one day where we had a random run in like we always do over the years. I had a breakthrough talking to her about what I needed to do to feel fulfilled. She held my hand on this journey and kept me encouraged the whole time. At first she was helping me find someone to do the coffee bar, until one afternoon I get a text that says “is it crazy that I want to the coffee bar??” Obviously in helping me, her wheels were turning because she’s a serial entrepreneur…. I replied “yes, you’re crazy!” She was in the middle of franchising her other business!!! She was all about it and as crazy as I thought she was, I was obviously stoked. She is a great friend and business woman, everything she does, she does 150%! I knew she was THE ONE because she has been a constant support to me through the years and she’s a BOSS. I have huge respect for her and continue to learn from her .
Megan, last we had you on AOBF you were at Elyse Walker in Lido Marina Village. What made you want to make a move and finally do what we’ve all been waiting for, which is open your own salon?
This has been a long time in the making, I have been on the lookout for the last 4/5 years for the perfect space. Being at Elyse Walker was one of the highlights of my career, the team there is full of inspiring, powerful women, but it was time.
It feels great to have my own space, it’s like my second home. I wouldn’t consider myself “the boss”- I would consider myself the creator because in our space we are all bosses coming together to run our businesses.
How are your clients liking the transition?
My clients are so excited! They have all been with me on this journey, dealing with my highs and lows during the insane build out we had to do. I can almost feel a sense of pride coming from them, as we’ve all finally found our permanent home.
What should our readers know about your new space at East Eighteenth?
Our location is a creative space of collaboration where we combine 2 of life’s greatest necessities…
Beauty and caffeine. As a stylist in the CM/Newport area over the last 15 + years I’ve created a clientele of power women who are on the go. Realizing how often I was sending my assistant out on coffee runs or working a late client in because the Starbucks line was so long….it only made sense to combine the two. Together, Jeni and I have combined designer hair with designer coffee. Our menu consists of collagen filled lattes, balayage, highlights, raw foods, CBD, haircuts, kombucha on tap, blowouts and more …
Jeni, what made you want to open a coffee shop?
J: I’ve always had this dream of being a barista. I was in the service industry for so many years and just loved serving up great experiences. I also wanted a project I could do with my hubby. We are both obsessed with coffee. Yes, I’m one of those weirdos that loves to spend every minute with my other half.
We love the design! We love the pink coffee machine, the blush tile, the neon sign and the funny and sassy coffee cups. How did you design the space?
J: We had a great interior designer, Jen Samson Design. She worked hard on making sure we kept the entire space cohesive. She did that and then some. Jen worked with Megan to create the overall palette early on and she sourced our gorgeous pink Fireclay tiles as soon as we were on board. The pink machine and funny sayings on the cups were all me. Originally, we were going to call the shop Bad Habits Coffee. When we went with Coffee Dose, Megan had a great idea of keeping that as part of our hashtag. #BadHabitsGoodHair. That’s how the neons were born.
There is a clear distinct line between how the coffee shop looks and feels and how the salon looks and feels, yet it works and complements one another. How did you pull that off?
M: I wanted it to feel like a home. When you walk in the front door, to the right is the living room (salon lounge seating), to left is the kitchen and dining room (the coffee bar and outside seating) and then you walk back to your big beauty room!! Your vanity area (the salon stations). A little further back is the washroom and backyard, complete with grass and some string lights! It’s our cozy home away from home.
What kind of products are you carrying at East Eighteenth?
At East Eighteenth we carry some brands you may have never heard of and some brands we all know and love. We have Shu Uemura, Kerastase and Davines. We have also brought in a new brand called IGK, a super clean dry shampoo called Kloraine from Paris and great universal shampoo from Japan called Inphenom.
Jeni, tell me about all of the healthy details available at Coffee Dose- raw and vegan treats/ collagen powders/ vital proteins / CBD oil/ oat milk…
When creating this menu we wanted to make sure we were anything but basic. I based these items off the things I felt were missing from my current coffee shop experiences. We joined forces with local bakeries to bring in the highest quality organic baked yumminess (unbaked yumminess too). We wanted to have vegan friendly options in both food and our milk offering. We have a local mom who bakes our vegan banana bread and that’s a habit I can support! We have added ingredients like Vital Proteins Collagen, MCT oil, and grass fed butter. Another ingredient we are known for is our Pure CBD Oil from Mowellens. CBD helps with anxiety and overall wellbeing, bringing new meaning to plant based beauty and wellness. You won’t see these items in just any OC coffee shop. I knew we wanted to be special. I think we nailed it if I do say so myself!
We are suckers for latte art, explain to our readers that you’ve created a custom AOBF latte with our very own AOBF logo for latte art!! (very exciting)
Since we love our AOBF babes we decided to make up a special secret menu item just for them and their followers. The AOBF Latte is a yummy mix of espresso, oat milk, honey and cinnamon. We figured it captured these babes perfectly… sweet and spicy!
Your marketing is so smart in that you’ve really taken Instagram culture into consideration by creating several “gram worthy” situations in your space. Explain the importance and reasoning behind doing so.
J: Well I’m a sucker for the ‘gram myself and there is nothing more rewarding that watching people take pics of literally EVERYTHING. I knew if I gave the community something to talk about that my marketing would be done for me.
How do you see social media shaping the success of CD + East Eighteenth? The space is fun to be in. Do you think social media is more important now than ever?
M: I am mind blown at the success we’ve seen due to social media. Having instagrammable spots throughout the space has the word spreading like wildfire about our new concept. Everyone has to come get their own anti-bitch serum and blow out! #badgabitsgoodhair
Were you inspired by places like Mr. Holmes’ Bakehouse in SF who has a cheeky neon sign and brands like Glossier who is very clearly branded as baby pink? Was your wall art inspired by the infamous pink Paul Smith wall in LA? Where do you derive inspiration?
J: I’m an Instagram stalker in my spare time… Mr. Holmes… “I got Baked” went viral literally overnight. Genius!
Who would you say is your target market?
J: I thought it was 18-40 but we have so many women in their 60’s coming in for The Mary Matcha! They even snap pics of the pot leaf stencil! So it’s literally for everyone. Lucky for us we actually have killer coffee underneath all the frills thanks to Common Room Roasters.
Megan, it seems you have assembled a dream team of sorts. How lucky do you feel to have the support of your staff the way you do? I think secretly everyone has been waiting for years for you to finally take the lead.
I definitely felt at some point in my life this role would find me, but I’d be nothing without the staff at East Eighteenth. I truly feel like I’ve got a dream team! We have had some crazy mishaps in the first couple months and they have been BEYOND supportive! I could not be happier with group that has come together. I feel inspired by each and every one of them.
When will you open your second coffee shop, Jeni? This Costa Mesa location has become so busy in a flash. Do you plan on franchising these like you did with your other business?
We are busy and we are loving every second. We will be doing number 2 sooner than later. Franchising? We’ve actually already had some inquiries. Franchising comes with some pretty big headaches, so – no!
You are a business maven…, owner of The Bronzed Bunny in addition to Coffee Dose, tell us your story and start with the spray tans.
I built an empire off spray tanning and “in your face” branding. I love creating experiences people talk about. Taking what some may think is a saturated space and putting a new twist on it. I didn’t invent the spray tan but I did create a chain of salons whose sole purpose is to empower women to bring their sexy back. Looking good makes you feel good, It’s not rocket science. I just did it in a playful way.
You’re also a new mom, our babies are only days apart. How much are you loving your first baby?
Carmen Fenella is rad. She, like AOBF, has her own drink on the menu! Megan jokes that when she comes in she is the true boss. She walks around like she owns the place. No clue where she gets her confidence….
Your husband also has a new restaurant- we think it’s so great when couples unite and are able to work really hard alongside one another. Tell us about his business ventures.
Yes! He Has El Raspadito in Santa Ana. It’s a family business and its AMAZING! He even caters parties. Who doesn’t love Mexican Street Corn and Shaved Ice?
I am so proud of you both and we will be regulars at the salon – getting our vegan, raw, collagen infused AOBF lattes. Lord knows I need two of those serums a day;)