Spotlight on… Tropical Sting

Your name & role: Richard Leeds, Principle

How long have you been operating: Started operating in Airlie Beach April – May 2026 (during my long service leave). Started operating at Tieri 18th July 2026.

Locations serviced: Airlie Beach and Tieri

How can we follow you: Tieri Notice Board on Facebook

Tell us about your business – what do you offer?
We’re a small coffee truck serving boutique coffee sourced from a South Australian coffee supplier called Scillia Coffee. We also serve a range of teas including chai, earl grey, english breakfast and jasmine tea. 

Cold drinks include a wide range of frappés and smoothies, as well as Fruit Bubble Tea and Milk Bubble Tea from Taiwan. Flavours include mango, lychee, and passion fruit, or Tarro, Matcha, Assam and Brown Sugar for the milk tea. Both come with a variety of toppings such as Mango Popping Pearls, Lychee Popping Pearls, Green Apple Popping Pearls, or Lychee Jelly.

What inspired you to start it?
Since leaving school, I have had an interest in mobile food trucks. I backpacked around Europe and Asia, Southeast Asia and South America when I was young and fell in love with street food. They provide a very different flavour, dynamics, and experience to traditional bricks and mortar venues.

How did you go about setting things up?
I had been on the lookout for many years for a particular type of food van called a Spitfire. One popped up on Facebook Marketplace in Rockhampton. I drove over that day and bought it! 

The van was previously a Gelato business, so I had to strip everything out and start again. Fortunately, I have a background in boiler making and carpentry. Shout out to Russell Housley who helped me with the plumbing. The graphics were done by a sign writer in Airlie Beach where I started the venture.

How did you come up with the name?
The van was originally intended to service the Airlie Beach area, so I had to come up with a tropical theme.

Do you have a background in hospitality?
Only a very small amount – I helped out with various sporting events over the years, but that’s about it.

What can you tell us about yourself?
I’m a country boy from a family cattle stud in Southern NSW. I’m a boiler maker by trade and hold a Bachelor of Maritime Business and Logistics Management. Until recently, I was working full time at Oaky Creek Surface operations as the Training Coordinator. I’ve worked in livestock export in Southeast Asia, backpacked around South America, Asia and Europe. I have a great love for good food and drinks, and hate paying good money for an average experience.

What’s been the most rewarding part of your entrepreneurial journey so far?
The positive feedback I’ve received from happy customers.

And what’s been the most challenging or surprising aspect?
It gets very busy in a small space! There is a lot involved in running a mobile food van.

How has the local community responded to your new venture?
The community has been very positive. Coffee and frappes are big hits with the adults, whilst the smoothies and bubble teas are big hits for the kids…and adults for that matter!

Do you take orders over the phone or online?
Yes, we take orders over the phone. We’re currently setting up a QR code for online ordering.

Do you do deliveries?
Not at this time as my son, Arthur, and I are the only employees at the moment. As the business grows, this will definitely be an option we’ll explore.

What are your goals for the rest of the year?
I want to improve technical efficiencies, set up at the Tieri Golf Club carpark and service Oaky Creek workers for the morning and afternoon shift on weekdays.

What advice would you give someone thinking about starting their own business?
If you are going to start a business, you need to be committed 100% of the time and love what you do, otherwise it will not work out. Do a business plan and know exactly what you want to offer. Do your homework and research what is needed to deliver the best product or service. 

It’s also important to remember that you cannot control what customers say to each other, but you can set the narrative by delivering the best product or service. Bad feedback always overrides good feedback.

Does your business have a slogan or a motto?
Customers come first.

How would you describe your business in 3 words?
Service, quality, experience.

Where can people find Tropical Sting?
Outside 55 Bauhinia Street, Tieri 4709 QLD.

What are your opening hours?
7am – 11am on Saturday and Sunday.

How can they contact you or keep in touch with the business?
Phone: 0437 084 656
Email: leedse1@yahoo.com.au
Facebook Messenger 

Anything else you would like to add?
I would like to thank the Tieri community for all of your support, with a special thank you to Arthur Leeds, Russell Housley, Denise Farrar, Michelle Pease, Josh Twist and Michael Sbrizzi – I would not have got this over the line without your help.