Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon Johnson.
Hi Brandon, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Copper Pony started in the most humble of places—a small timber-frame garage. My partner, Joshua Hoffman, had been hosting occasional sales featuring stylish, eclectic, and affordable home accessories and furnishings. What began as a creative outlet quickly developed a loyal following of customers who were hungry for something different from the big-box experience.
In May 2017, we took the leap and opened our first brick-and-mortar location in downtown St. Cloud—a 2,200 square foot shop that allowed us to bring our vision to life full-time. The response from the community was incredible, and we even received local and national recognition for what we were building.
Then, in September 2021, we made our biggest move yet—relocating to a 7,000 square foot showroom in historic downtown Sauk Rapids, where we expanded our offerings to include a café and coffee shop. That decision allowed us to create the full experience we’d always envisioned: a regional shopping destination where customers can find unique home décor, gifts, and furnishings while enjoying made-from-scratch food, baked goods and specialty beverages.
It’s been a labor of love built on the shared belief that people still crave authentic experiences and locally owned businesses that feel like home.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but I think that’s true for any small business owner who’s being honest. Josh and I have faced our share of challenges—securing financing for expansion, navigating the uncertainty of the pandemic, launching a café and coffee shop as an entirely new business line, and building a team that shares our vision and values.
Each of these has tested us in different ways. Convincing lenders to believe in your dream requires persistence and preparation. The pandemic forced us to adapt quickly and rethink how we connect with customers. Adding a café meant learning a whole new side of the business—from equipment and recipes to food service operations. And finding the right people who genuinely care about the customer experience takes time and intention.
But here’s the thing: every one of those challenges has also been an opportunity. They’ve pushed us to grow, to get creative, and to build a company we’re truly proud of. Setbacks are inevitable in business, but we’ve had the good fortune of an incredible support system—wonderful family, friends, and a community that has cheered us on, helped us navigate the tough moments, and celebrated the wins right alongside us.
We wouldn’t be where we are today without that.
We’ve been impressed with Copper Pony, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Copper Pony is a regional shopping destination in downtown Sauk Rapids, Minnesota, where we’ve combined a retail store with a café and coffee shop under one roof. We specialize in eclectic home décor, giftware, luxury home fragrance, bath and body products, garden accents, boutique clothing, and specialty food—all curated to help our customers create spaces that look, feel, and smell good.
What sets us apart is the experience. When someone walks through our doors, we want their first reaction to be “wow.” We’re intentional about every detail—the lighting, the scent, the way products are displayed, and especially how our team interacts with each guest. Shopping at Copper Pony isn’t just a transaction; it’s an experience. We believe people are hungry for that, especially as retail has become increasingly impersonal and online-driven.
We’re also proud to be a locally owned alternative to big-box stores and national chains. We work with local artisans, farmers, and craftsmen alongside established vendors to offer products you won’t find anywhere else. Our price points are accessible—we want everyone to find something they love, regardless of budget.
What I’m most proud of brand-wise is the sense of community we’ve built. Our customers trust us to help them create warm, inviting spaces for their homes, cabins, and gardens. They come back not just for the products but for the relationships they’ve built with our team. That loyalty means everything to us.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Josh and I draw inspiration from so many different spaces, places, and people—it’s hard to narrow it down.
I’m a huge fan of the New York Times Cooking App, especially as we’ve grown the café side of our business. There’s something about exploring recipes and techniques that keeps the creative energy flowing. MasterClass has been another great resource—the ability to learn from the best in so many fields, from business to culinary arts to design, is invaluable for someone running a business that touches all of those areas.
When it comes to thought leadership, I find myself returning to Mel Robbins and Simon Sinek. Mel’s practical approach to motivation and taking action resonates with the entrepreneurial mindset—there’s no room for hesitation when you’re building something. Simon Sinek’s emphasis on purpose and the “why” behind what we do has helped us stay grounded in our mission, even when the day-to-day gets hectic.
And of course, Martha Stewart. She’s built an empire around the idea that the details matter—that creating beautiful, inviting spaces is worth the effort. That philosophy is at the heart of what we do at Copper Pony.
Honestly, inspiration is everywhere if you’re open to it. We find it in the markets we shop, the communities we serve, and the customers who walk through our doors.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://copperpony.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/copperponymn
- Facebook: CopperPonyMN
