Years ago he was another of Brisbane's homeless living on the streets; a week ago Grant Richards opened his first (of a hopeful 50) social enterprise coffee shops which employ people living on the margins.

Owner of Having a Go Coffee, Grant Richards is a man that almost needs no introducing.

Grant took himself from street sleeping to earning some coin selling the Big Issue, where his polite nature had him dubbed 'Grant the Polite Guy', to reclaiming his life and wife in just a few short years.

Sitting in his new coffee shop, the man with the heart of gold seems staggered when introducing himself as the owner and manager.

"It wasn't that long ago I was homeless and selling the Big Issue for money for food," he says.

From sleeping rough to being one of the city's most recognised Big Issue vendors, Grant's been busy since finding his feet, running barbeques for the homeless in Brisbane, Ipswich and Caboolture, shining shoes in the Buffed venture and now he's turning his attention to coffee shops and what he hopes will have chain-like success for a new social enterprise.

The first of an ambitious 50 shops in Brisbane opened in August in Coorparoo and Grant says the vision is simple: provide employment, training and in turn restore a sense of confidence and self esteem for people who're doing it tough.

By employing people living in hardship in the Brisbane community, Grant hopes to help people find their feet and gain new skills for life.

"In the future they can take [those skills] anywhere. When people start getting on their feet we notice their confidence is changing," Grant says.

The shop has joined the suspended coffee (or suspended muffin) movement and 20 cents from every cup sold in the coffee shop will go back to the charity 'Signal Flare' which helps run the Homeless barbeque's Grant started.

The first coffee shop was generously funded by a major corporation through a connection Grant had made during his years of hardship.

"They came on board and said 'Grant, we'll help you get the first one going, turn it into a model and show its successful and other corporations can help put these together'.

Grant says the concept doesn't come without its challenges, but he's committed to helping make a difference.

"I will stand behind [my employees] and give them full support, so whatever the challenges we come across we'll work on them together.

"Looking forward is always the first step and that's what we're all about," he says.

Friendships, connections and opportunities

One of Having a Go Coffee's first employees, Cameron, first came to know Grant on the streets of Brisbane.

"I was homeless for a few years and the Big Issue helped me out; through the Big Issue I met Grant."

Grant says even just a week ago, Cameron wasn't really much for talking, but the new job has given him enough confidence to talk with customers and share his story.

"I used to work in construction; I had a mental illness and I relapsed and this is the first time I've had full time work [in five years]."

Grant's vision for the coffee shop is to pay staff, all of which are trying to get themselves back on their feet, above award wages.

"It means it gives [us] an opportunity to find employment or accommodation and to gain self esteem," Cameron says, "and [people] know what they're going through."

When asked what difference the opportunity makes in Cameron's life, he bluntly reveals the reality for a man in his position.

"It means I don't have to steal it; or get into crime and end up in court."

Grant says as the concept of the social enterprise takes off he'd like to employ more people living on the margin, like Neville, who turned up on Wednesday morning, hopeful for an opportunity with the coffee shop.

A former school teacher, who endured a series of unfortunate events, Neville now resides at Pindari Men's Hostel in Brisbane, but is enthusiastic about getting life back on track.

"The concept - I don't think anybody has touched on it. It's helping people who get on to hard times, because this can happen to anybody.

"From school teaching to coffee making - well it's not my forte yet, but I've got plenty of homework to do," Neville says.

Grant blogs his thoughts, feelings and adventures over at Grant the Polite Guy.