When you pull up to Considered Curbside Coffee, you’re greeted not just by the nostalgic charm of a lovingly restored 1965 VW bus or the cheeky attitude of a newer, equally quirky Shortie school bus, but by something far more potent than espresso: purpose.
This is not your average coffee shop. It’s a rolling, rebellious response to a world that told its founder she couldn’t — and she decided to prove them wrong with a portafilter in hand.
From Setback to Standout
Pia Beck, the founder and owner of Considered, is a marketing pro turned entrepreneur. She didn’t set out to sling lattes from the curb.
She had big dreams of a brick-and-mortar café — a vibrant, creative hub for Santa Barbara — but quickly found out that credentials like business plans, funding and years of entrepreneurial success weren’t enough if you didn’t come packaged as expected.
“I pulled up on my scooter, tattooed arms and all, and watched door after door close simply because I wasn’t what they were looking for,” she said.
“So I built the kind of door I wanted to walk through.”
That door turned out to be on wheels.
“We threw out the food industry playbook on Day One. We’re anti-industry, pro-people, and unapologetically ourselves.”
Pia Beck
After finding a vintage Volkswagen bus on Craigslist and turning it into a fully operational espresso bar in just four months, Considered Curbside Coffee was born.
What started as a scrappy pivot became a force to be reckoned with. By the end of the first year, it was profitable. And by year two, demand had outgrown the bus.
Enter Shortie, a 30-year-old school bus-turned-mobile café, designed with both customer flow and barista comfort in mind.
Shortie now buzzes around town six days a week, while the OG VW bus enjoys semi-retirement at curated pop-ups — currently at the Santa Barbara Mission, 2201 Laguna St., through July.
Not Just Coffee
The name Considered Curbside Coffee says it all. Every detail of the Considered experience is, well, considered.
From locally sourced, organic milk and handcrafted syrups to composting used grounds and reinvesting in the community, this woman-owned operation rewrote the rulebook.
“We threw out the food industry playbook on Day One,” Beck said. “We’re anti-industry, pro-people, and unapologetically ourselves.”
That ethos is reflected in everything from their pay structure — 15% gratuity included in every order, all tips to staff — to their hyper-local sourcing (20-plus local and/or woman-owned businesses are represented on the menu).
Even the espresso machines are intentionally placed behind the baristas, creating a face-to-face connection that turns a quick coffee run into an experience.
The Menu
Yes, you can get your standard flat white. But why would you, when there’s a Jalapeño Cherry Mocha calling your name?
Considered is known for its boundary-pushing seasonal flavors — think Blackberry Basil, Yuzu Nutmeg and Tahini Sea Salt — crafted from scratch with homemade syrups and local ingredients.
“I’ll get an idea, test it out, and if it works, it goes on the menu,” Beck said. “It’s that simple.”
The summer lineup includes customer faves like Honey Basil Lemonade and fresh surprises that blur the line between beverage and botanical experiment.
“We start with high-quality ingredients — great beans, clean water, local milk — and build from there,” Beck said.
Why It Matters
Considered isn’t just a coffee bar on wheels; it’s a movement. A love letter to women in business.
It wins hearts not with flashy marketing campaigns, but through intimacy, authenticity and relentless community care.
“We know your kids’ names, your dogs’ names, your drink order,” Beck said. “Our bus is covered in Polaroids of the people who come by.
“This isn’t just coffee — it’s connection.”
The Hustle Behind the Charm
Of course, behind every Instagram-worthy pour is a whole lot of hustle. From changing generator oil to fixing espresso machines and handling social media, this small team does it all.
“People think it’s cute,” Beck said. “And it is. But it’s also the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”
She credits her journey — through tech, HR and grassroots marketing — with giving her the tools to build a business that’s equal parts heart and hustle.
“I’ve become resourceful,” Beck said. “I’ve become resilient.
“This job has demanded everything of me, but it’s also given me a level of calm and confidence I never had in corporate.”
4-1-1
Considered Curbside Coffee can be found at the Santa Barbara Mission, 2201 Laguna St., or follow Shortie around town and at private events. Follow @consideredcoffee on Instagram for menus and hours, or to book the bus.
