Guernsey teenager launches coffee business

Friday, 17 July 2026 07:05

By Holly Brown

Shortly after finishing her GCSEs, Harriette Guille became her own boss, with her own coffee van.

16-year-old Harriette Guille finished her GCSEs in June, and a month later, she's opened 'vi-t’en daone'.

Harriette's parents helped her set up the van, and her 14-year-old brother Toby is her first employee.

They operate by the Little Chapel three days a week and take it to events at the weekends, with regular location updates on social media.

Harriette says it's a dream come true.

"I just love making coffee so so much, and I thought, you know what, let's have a go.

"I was very lucky to have the help of my parents to sort out the trailer.

"Finding a location was a lot of scouting, a lot of looking around, a lot of talking to people, but now that we're here, we're going pretty well."

She says the name has a special meaning.

"Vi-t’en daone it's Guernsey French for 'come along'.

"My great-grandpa used to speak Guernsey French, and he used to say a vi-t’en daone to his cat, and we thought it was great, catchy, and representative of Guernsey culture."

With bus tours regularly dropping off tourists and locals checking out the historical landmark, Harriette says her first couple of weeks have been busy.

A spokesperson for the Little Chapel Foundation said they were pleased to have Harriette set up nearby to enhance the visit for everyone.

@islandfm Just one month after finishing her GCSEs, 16-year-old Harriette Guille has launched her own coffee van at the Little Chapel - and she's even hired her brother to help! 👏☕️ - #channelislands #guernsey #coffee #teen #entrepreneur ♬ original sound - Island FM