OUR JOURNEY
March 2020 marked a pivotal moment for Brandon Hargrave - it was the birth of Koala Karlous, the culmination of a decade spent as a full-time songwriter and composer. Driven by a desire to stay true to himself, Brandon walked away from his record label and set out to create something truly unique. He purchased an old Mercedes Sprinter van and spent two months converting it into a solar-powered music studio, fuelled by his passion for sustainable living.
By July 2020, Brandon had written and recorded 18 songs using nothing but pure sun energy, and he was determined to find a way to share his music with the world. So he converted the van again, this time into a solar-powered coffee and bagel truck, trading on Fistral Beach in Newquay. Within a year, Koala Karlous had achieved staggering success, with over 20 million streams and 18,000 sales.
Not content to rest on his laurels, Brandon expanded the company in 2021, opening a flagship coffee house and bagel bakery in Falmouth. With his eye for design and a commitment to fair pay and new opportunities for the local community, Brandon built a stunning desert-themed store and hired 16 employees. He spared no expense in sourcing the highest quality, locally-sourced ingredients to create the most delicious, premium bagels imaginable.
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With the goal of becoming a zero-carbon company by the end of 2023, Koala Karlous produces all its goods
in-store at the bakery. Brandon's commitment to sustainability and community shines through in every aspect
of his business, and it's clear that he's just getting started. As he likes to say, "Koala Karlous is more than just a music project or a coffee shop - it's a way of life, built on creativity, passion, and a commitment to doing things differently."
