Mocha Motion is a mobile coffee trailer fueled by passion, community, and a deep love for coffee. Founder Heather Finnell, based in Hutchinson, is new to entrepreneurship and received funding and support from the Southwest Initiative Foundation’s Microenterprise Loan Program to launch her business.
Heather started Mocha Motion with a mission: to serve handcrafted coffee and a variety of refreshing specialty drinks—creating a space on wheels where people feel welcomed, energized, and connected. While she’s new to business ownership, she brings more than six years of experience in administrative and human resources to her new venture.
How Mocha Motion started
Mocha Motion began as a long-held dream. An unexpected job loss last year created the opportunity for Heather to try something new. With encouragement from family and friends, she decided to take a chance on herself.
After months of planning and preparation, Heather opened the trailer for its first event in July 2025. Since then, she’s built a weekly schedule of stops around Hutchinson and nearby communities. She’s also begun booking 2026 events—from weddings and graduations to corporate gatherings, school functions, and community celebrations.
“This journey hasn’t always been easy, but having my family by my side has been my biggest motivation and the reason I keep going. Every early morning, every event, every smiling customer—it all means more because they’re part of it,” Heather said.
Coffee + Family
Heather is a mom of 5 kids alongside her husband, Ryan, who is also actively involved in the business. Ryan handles logistics, late-night supply runs, and the heavy lifting. He hauls the trailer, maintains the equipment, and tackles every “business emergency” with calm and confidence.
“When I started this small business, it wasn’t just about coffee. It was about creating something meaningful for my family. I wanted to build a life where I could spend more time with the people I love, show my kids what hard work and passion look like, and pour purpose into every cup we serve,” Heather said.
While Heather is a self-professed coffee lover, what she loves even more is what happens around coffee: the early-morning chats, the laughter between friends, the pick-me-ups on hard days, and the little everyday moments that deserve to be celebrated. That’s what Mocha Motion is about.
Creating economic mobility through lending
Loan programs have been a key function of SWIF since the beginning, supporting communities and businesses throughout southwest Minnesota. In 2001, microlending was added to existing programs as a tool to support small businesses and entrepreneurs.
“The Southwest Initiative Foundation believed in me before I fully believed in myself,” Heather said. “Their Microenterprise Loan Program gave me the financial boost and mentorship I needed to turn my dream into a reality. They didn’t just help me start a business—they helped me build a future for my family and our community.”
Microloan clients receive free technical assistance to improve their business management skills. Areas of support include business planning and financials analysis, accounting software training, marketing assistance and other training opportunities for the life of the loan.
Donate today and be the spark behind someone’s success story.
Every microloan we provide is more than just funding—it’s a lifeline of mentorship, training, and opportunity for entrepreneurs across southwest Minnesota.
This microloan program receives funding assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration and U.S. Department of Agriculture. For more information, contact SWIF at 800-594-9480, 320-587-4848 or [email protected].
