You’ve got a million-dollar idea. Now, how do you turn it into a thriving business? For Joseph Tota, the journey from concept to a bustling franchise wasn’t about luck—it was about hustle, pivoting, and never giving up. Here’s how he did it.
Watch the interview to hear directly from Joseph Tota, or ready the summary in the blog that follows.
In the beginning: Tapville Social
Like many entrepreneurs, Tota’s vision for Tapville Social started long before it became a reality. The idea was simple but innovative: create a frictionless, tech-driven experience that blends self-pour technology with a seamless customer journey.
While working his day job, he began crafting a business plan, researching the industry, and securing funding. It wasn’t easy—he took out a small business loan, turned to crowdfunding, and at one point even sold his car to make payroll. But he believed in the vision.
Imagine having to sell your car just to make payroll. The stress, the uncertainty, and the looming question of whether this leap of faith would pay off. But for Joseph, it was all part of the process—an unspoken truth for many entrepreneurs who take the plunge.
The first location opened, but the challenges didn’t stop there. A trademark issue forced a name change, and market demands required strategic pivots. One of the biggest lessons learned? Location is everything.
One of Tapville’s latest locations sits in Hawthorne, CA—right across from SpaceX HQ. It’s also expanded into a kiosk concept, placing shop-and-drink stations in high-foot-traffic shopping malls. Adaptability and execution were key.
Scaling challenges: Enter Bloom Growth
As Tapville grew, so did the challenges of managing a multi-location business. “With any entrepreneur, growing a company is really about how you get organized around a common vision,” says Tota. Early on, Tapville struggled with keeping priorities aligned. The team was juggling meetings, initiatives, and an ever-growing list of operational hurdles.
“So as an entrepreneur, you’re getting pulled in a lot of different directions. It’s difficult sometimes when you’re trying to grow a company. We needed a way to organize our team, our franchise partners, and our strategic goals across multiple states,” he explains.
For many entrepreneurs, keeping track of progress and staying organized across locations can feel impossible. But with the right tools like Bloom Growth, Joseph found a way to streamline his operations and ensure his vision remained consistent, even as he expanded.
Lessons for entrepreneurs
Tota’s journey holds valuable lessons for aspiring business owners:
- Bet on yourself. There will be moments where the future is uncertain, and sacrifices need to be made. Believe in your vision.
- Be willing to pivot. Whether it’s rebranding due to a trademark issue or rethinking locations for better customer flow, adaptability is key.
- Organization fuels growth. Without the right systems in place, scaling becomes chaotic. Having tools like Bloom Growth can make execution and communication seamless.
- Location matters. A great concept in the wrong place won’t thrive. Strategic placement, like the SpaceX HQ location, can be a game-changer.
Tapville Social’s story isn’t just about success—it’s about resilience, strategic thinking, and the power of execution. Entrepreneurs who are ready to take their own leap can learn from Tota’s journey.
🧠 Bloom tip: Betting on yourself means trusting your gut, but also learning to listen to the market. That might mean taking risks—like Joseph did with crowdfunding or selling his car—but it also means gathering data and feedback along the way to course-correct when needed.
Watch the case study
Ready to see how Tapville Social overcame the odds using Bloom Growth? Watch the full case study for a behind-the-scenes look at the strategy and systems that fueled their growth.
Don’t just dream about your entrepreneurial journey—start making it happen.