What about a coffee shop?

"What about a coffee shop?" I randomly blurted out to Brittany, as I often do, one afternoon back in December 2019. If you know me, you know my brain never stops thinking up new ideas, coming up with solutions to problems and always focusing on the future.

Of course her reply was... "What are you talking about?"

We have been casually talking about creating a family business for years. One that our family can work together and eventually have one or both of our kids take over some day.

I've always been a "foodie". Even back in high school (before Food Network) I was concocting dishes and serving them to my family and friends. I also spent my teens and early twenties working in restaurants, so I knew for the quality of life I desire, opening a restaurant Is not an option. I didn't know what a weekend night or holiday was until I was 25.

But a coffee shop...

A coffee shop can allow for more freedom. I'm an early riser so waking early is no problem for me. And being able to coach my son's little league team in the evenings or watching my daughter play volleyball is certainly possible.

Why another coffee shop?

There are certainly many options to choose from in the Frisco, McKinney, Plano area. We have some excellent craft coffee shops here. But we actually view it a little differently. Our desire is to create a warm, inviting place within our community where people can take a break from the rat race, if just for a moment, and connect with the people who matter most. We'll just happen to serve incredible craft coffee.

Coffee is one of those magical things that can make us forget about our busy, stressful lives, if just for a short time, and simply enjoy a cup and a conversation.

What do I know about coffee?

I know enough to know coffee is both art and science. It requires both passion and patience. I don't claim to be an expert by any means. I'm just starting to explore this world and there is so much to learn. But that's kind of been a repeating pattern in my life.

In my early twenties I began questioning why I was drinking Bud Light. I apologize to Bud Light drinkers, but I wanted to find a beer that had more depth of flavor and complexity. Something I could pair with my meal that enhanced the experience, not detracted from it. 

It wasn't long before I began exploring wine. In fact, Brittany and I actually joined a wine MLM soon after we moved to Dallas. Not for the business, but so we could connect and make friends with people who also enjoyed wine.

Fast forward several years and Bourbon/Whiskey caught my attention. Of course I couldn't settle for Jack Daniels and Jim Beam. I began tasting all sorts of well known and lesser known brands. In fact, one of my favorites is a small craft distiller in Texas hill country. From beer to wine to Bourbon, and now coffee. I guess I just like to pursue the best of the best. And like a top chef, always seeking perfection but never satisfied.

Coffee has always been a social thing for me. Now that I think about it, I guess it's always been that way for alcohol too. I probably have the least addictive personality of anyone I know. I have never drank coffee for the caffeine. I don't need it to wake up in the morning like many do. But it has become a big part of my morning routine.

It begins with waking up before anyone else and carefully crafting my pour over. I always take a deep breath in when opening the bag of beans and after I have ground them. I enjoy the slow swirling motion of my kettle and the sound when I pour the fresh brew into my cup. Finally one last deep breath with my nose over my hot mug before sitting in my comfy chair. That's when I reflect on everything I'm grateful for and begin to plan my day, while sipping on my black cup of deliciousness.

A desire for more.

Like many of my friends I have come to accept that commuting 60 miles a day to a job I'm not passionate about is normal. We tell ourselves we are doing it for our families. But it's usually our family-time that suffers first when something comes up at work. And something ALWAYS comes up at work.

I have grown tired of the ever increasing commute times, sacrificing my kids important events and milestones because of work, and simply not loving what I do. Life is too short for that. Before you know it, you've wasted all your good years and when you finally do retire, you don't have the energy or the body to do the things you wanted to do 30 years before. I don't want that to be my life. I want more. 

Family and freedom are two of my core values. Owning a coffee shop may not retire me a multi-millionaire, but it sure does line up with my core values better than my current job does. Having the freedom to choose what I want to do and with who I want is so important to me. Growing a family business that can one day be passed down to my kids is important to me. Connecting with my tribe and connecting people in my community is important to me. Giving back by providing a service, providing jobs, and giving to organizations close to my heart is important to me.

And if I can do all that over a great cup of coffee... man, that would mean so much to me.

So follow our journey will ya'? God knows we need the support of our community to make this happen. You might as well take this wild ride with us!

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