Holly the Cafe Boat next to a picture of cake
Sometimes we use our canoe to transport heavy deliveries back to the cafe. People think it's hilarious.
  • Joanna and Victor Gould, both 35, quit their jobs to open a coffee shop on a boat.
  • They faced a lot of challenges along the way, but the payoff was worth it.
  • They have been documenting their journey on YouTube, where they have a devoted audience.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with husband and wife Joanna and Victor Gould, both 35, who are running a coffee shop from their boat based in Macclesfield in the UK. It has been edited for length and clarity.