You would never know it, but I have an intense sense of dread when I’m invited to speak in front of 5 to 5000 people. When I’m first requested as a speaker, my dread begins when I desperately search for an “ice-breaker.” If you ask me to speak, the content is easy. You’ve chosen me […]
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Expresso (sic, and sick) Beans
I am flabbergasted by a sign that I saw at an airport cafe in Detroit: “How many expresso (sic) beans is required for one shot of espresso?” There are so many errors that could have been avoided with just a little bit of training and education from management. For example, “beans” should be followed by […]
The Power of Mental Sorbet: Are you taking enough mental health days?
I love mental health days or even mental health hours. My definition of a Mental Health Day is taking time off from your regular intense life and shirking every bit of responsibility for that period of time. These mental health days are a conduit to finding your core being. When I attended these three colleges, […]
Getting Ready for Battle
I’m getting ready for battle- not with any violence, I hope. I’m preparing for a sales call and I need my power uniform: red dress shirt with one of my many coffee ties, my black jeans (because I can), shiny black shoes, and a jacket. Why do I choose these specific pieces of clothing? They […]
Be A Funeral Crasher
It’s a bit morbid, but write your own eulogy now. No, you’re not dying, I hope, but the problem with being mortal, if that’s what you are, is that it can happen any time. Write down everything that your kids would say about you at your funeral. What would your wife or co-workers say? Those […]
Improvise your way to a happier life
Some of my favorite shows on TV include the cooking contests where they basically torment the chefs into creating unique delicious food. On one show, you begin with a few different crazy ingredients to create a certain genre of dish. There are many creative and cruel events that take place that create turmoil in the […]
What I hate about writing and why I’m stark raving mad
If you consider yourself a writer, it’s necessary to write everyday. It’s true that you can’t really take on the mantle of “writer” or “author” unless you just write every chance that you have. There’s a level of madness that is part of the author’s life. Writing is like a disease that you need to […]
In the Weeds
Have you every been in the “weeds?” When you’re in the weeds, it’s as if you are in a large field and the weeds are way above your head and you can’t see where you are going. You don’t know which direction to go and what is the most important thing to do immediately. In […]
Having a daily vision for your personal, professional, and family life
Here is an excerpt from one of my newest books soon to be published: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” My wife, Lisa, and I made a mistake. We should have involved her in the business from the beginning instead of allowing her to spend more time with the kids. That’s […]
Succession Planning for Startups or How to Make Yourself Useless
Do you know that you should be planning your death before you start the business? What happens to the business? Plan every day for your eventual retirement. Multiple Revenue Streams Have multiple revenue streams so that you’re not always chasing after new customers. With my coffee roasterie, we have wholesale, retail, cold brew coffee by […]
