From brewing coffee in her kitchen to serving handcrafted espresso in the middle of lush Malaysian campsites, Aini Mohd's journey is anything but ordinary.
The 39 years-old founder of Sista Coffee Camper turned a global pandemic into a business opportunity and in doing so, carved a unique niche in Malaysia’s mobile café scene.
What began as a humble home experiment with coffee bottles in 2020 is now a growing mobile business that’s attracting loyal customers, event organizers, and even aspiring entrepreneurs eager to learn the art and science of quality coffee.
“Camping’s great until you need clean water just to make coffee. So we thought: why not bring café-quality coffee straight to the campsite?,” said Aini.
Sista Coffee Camper emerged during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously, Aini was part of a freelance professional photographer and videographer covering for commercials, events and VIP/celebrities as Personal Photographer/Videographer. When the industry came to a halt, she pivoted not with a detailed business plan, but with instinct and a moka pot.
With no barista experience, she began learning from YouTube, sourcing tools and beans online, and brewing for family and friends. Her biggest supporter was her mother, a big fan of black coffee especially Americano.
Soon, neighbours and friends were raving about Aini’s coffee. A Chinese coffee machine brand, Petrus, noticed her content online and offered for collaboration as a reviewer & sent her a machine. That push led to her first “homebrew” operations.
Eventually, she took her passion to the streets literally serving coffee out of a Perodua Myvi at public parks and later, at campsites once travel restrictions were lifted.
“We didn’t plan any of this. It started with my mum’s ideas, and next thing we knew, people were asking where to find our coffee,” Aini shared.
By 2022, Sista Coffee Camper had upgraded to a fully-equipped van and began gaining traction at outdoor events across Malaysia.
Coffee Meets Community
The essence of Sista Coffee Camper is more than caffeine. It's a connection.
Whether parked at Janda Baik or serving at an ultramarathon event, Aini prioritises educating the public on the intricacies of coffee which is its origin, roast level, and health impact. A strong believer in coffee awareness, she’s made it her mission to help customers make informed choices.
“Many people feel dizzy after drinking coffee, but it’s usually because they chose the wrong type of bean or roast. For example, medium roasts may taste smoother but are often higher in acidity. Those with migraines or sensitive stomachs should go for medium-dark or darker roasts and always choose fresh beans,” she explained.
Sista’s coffee Camper philosophy is simple: serve only freshly brewed, high-quality coffee, no stale beans, no shortcuts, and no sugar is the best but as little sugar as possible. In fact, regular customers who once requested sweetened drinks have gradually been served lower-sugar versions without even noticing. Today, many have naturally transitioned to drinking it sugar-free.
Handcrafted, From Bean to Cup
Sista Coffee Camper currently serves a selection of espresso-based drinks priced between RM9 and RM15, including creative, seasonal specials like their popular “Pishang Latte” (a banana-infused latte) and the signature Chocolate Ferrero Rocher with homemade salted caramel.
Their core bean is the Brazil Cerrado, selected for its medium acidity and widespread appeal, offering chocolate, caramel, and hazelnut notes. It’s a crowd-pleaser that aligns with their research-driven approach.
“Every bean has its own personality. It’s the roaster’s job to bring out those flavors. We want people to truly taste the difference,” Aini said.
For those who didn't know what roaster meant. Roasters are the people who transform imported green coffee beans into beans that can then be ground, brewed and consumed by customers.
Many new sellers assume they can just park anywhere and start selling coffee. But selling from a vehicle without proper conversion is actually illegal. You need to convert your mobile grant to a campervan or commercial vehicle classification, and it must pass PUSPAKOM inspection based on specific regulations.
“There’s no business license issued for mobile vendors unless it’s within a licensed or permitted event. That’s why we only operate by invitation or at private functions, as we’re still in the process of updating our grant to campervan status,” Aini explained.
Beyond serving drinks, Sista Coffee Camper offers one-on-one sharing sessions tailored for aspiring coffee entrepreneurs.
These classes go beyond latte art focusing instead on real-world business strategies such as sourcing quality ingredients, identifying target markets, mastering proper brewing techniques, and most importantly, learning how to capture and sustain customer interest.
At Sister Coffee Camper, the current vision empowering future café owners with real-world coffee know-how.
The sharing classes are priced at RM150 per hour (minimum 2 hours) and are crafted as mentorship-style sessions for those serious about launching their café within weeks.
Sister Coffee Camper now partnered with a café space dedicated to practical sessions where mentees can train hands-on in a real café setting and experience daily operations before launching their own business.
Optional add-on for stronger impact (if needed). It’s all about bridging knowledge with real experience. People don’t just learn coffee, but they live it. They focus on what truly matters before starting like understanding the beans, mastering freshness, and choosing the right equipment.
It’s more than just a class, it's your first step into the coffee business, guided by those who’ve been in the grind.
She also stated that coffee may look the same to customers but it’s not. There’s a big difference between a brewed cup and a powdered mix. Business owners can’t market effectively if they don’t know their product.
Rising Above the Challenges
As a woman in a male-dominated coffee scene, Aini has faced criticism and doubt especially in her early starting business without formal credentials.
“There were times when baristas questioned why I didn’t take courses. But I kept learning on my own and it paid off,” she said.
In 2022, she finally gained recognition from the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA). The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) is the largest global coffee trade association obtaining government-backed certification through the Department of Skills Development (JPK). She now regularly shares information about such grants with others, helping over 40 individuals apply.
“We’re proud to be a brand that uplifts others. Not just by selling coffee, but by sharing knowledge,” she said.
A Platform for Female Empowerment
For Aini, Sista Coffee Camper is also a symbol of women’s empowerment.
“Female baristas are more passionate, more detail-oriented. They don’t rush into things.
When women are involved, the coffee quality often improves,” she said, adding that husband-wife duos are increasingly common with wives typically taking the lead in quality control.
She hopes more women will feel confident to enter the space, learn, and claim their spot behind the counter.
“Learning coffee takes effort, time, and money. But if you’re serious, it’s worth it. Taste every roast, understand every bean and never stop testing,” she advised.
Today, Sista Coffee Camper continues to grow slowly, but intentionally. Aini is currently hiring junior baristas with basic knowledge who are eager to grow in the field. Her next ambition is to expand into a full-fledged coffee education studio, allowing her to mentor more people and host in-depth sessions about coffee quality, sourcing, and operations.
“We want to build a culture not just a business,” Aini concluded.
From a Myvi hatchback to a respected mobile coffee brand, Sista Coffee Camper is more than a roadside stop; it's a movement, a classroom, and a celebration of doing business with heart.
Whoever is interested to know more about Sista Coffee Camper do follow them on instagram.
Location: Event-based & by invitation (Follow @sistacoffeecamper on Instagram for schedule)
Sharing Classes: RM150/hour, 1-on-1 sessions, weekends only
Signature Drink: Chocolate Ferrero Rocher + Homemade Salted Caramel (2020-2023) but now changed to Signature Coffee features a harmonious fusion of secret sauce, handcrafted syrup, and a luxuriously creamy finish crafted to leave a lasting impression in every sip.
Hiring: Junior Baristas (with basic coffee knowledge)
Shahriena Shukri is a journalist covering business and economic news in Malaysia, providing insights on market trends, corporate developments, and financial policies. More about Shahriena Shukri.
