Common Sense Coffee Asked

Veteran Entrepreneurs Why They Drink Coffee

Here’s what they're building and why they drink coffee!

Coffee is the fuel that high-achievers run on. It’s not a different story when you’re talking about entrepreneurship. We decided to sit down with some entrepreneurs to see what they were up to and to get more insight into why they drink the golden liquid we call coffee. But before we begin, take a look at the following figures:

Most Favorite Coffee Roasts of Veteran Entrepreneurs

Unsurprisingly, medium roasted coffee is among the most favorite for Veteran entrepreneurs. Medium roasted coffee seems to be a popular trend we see among coffee lovers everywhere.

Most Favorite Coffee Brewing Methods of Veteran Entrepreneurs

We weren’t expecting to see the diversity of brewing methods here! It seems like entrepreneurs have all the different styles that they enjoy.

Okay, here’s what they had to say!

1. Kent Clark

Kent A. D. Clark is the founder of CAG Federal. CAG Federal provides IT and Safety Products to make your Company run efficiently every day.

I drink coffee as I enjoy the flavor, aroma, and the ability for teammates and friends to share a moment while having a cup of coffee with each other.

2. Tammy Joy Lane Guffey

Tammy joy is the founder of yestokindness.com. Yestokindness.com provides suicide prevention through appreciation integration systems to increase the quality service and quality of life of those they serve.

I love coffee in the Fall, pumpkin spice reminds me that the world is going to be okay, that we can let go of the things that don’t serve us and look forward to a better future.

3. Lex Brown

Lex R. Brown II is the Founder, Chief Optimization Officer, and Authorpreneur of FORTIPHI, LLC. FORTIPHI, LLC is delivering compelling content, useful tools, and functional merchandise to organize, motivate, inspire, and empower you on your daily journey towards success.

I drink coffee for several reasons: the aroma of freshly brewed coffee is therapeutic, and sets my mood into a calm but enthused state; often the retrieval of my cup of coffee at places like WeWork or a local coffee shop involve some welcomed small talk, and even actual networking opportunities; coffee hydrates and infuses my creative abilities; and I also drink coffee because it flat out energizes me for hours.

4. Mike Liguori

Mike Liguori is the founder of Live Your Truth Media. Live Your Truth Media creates immersive storytelling for brands and entrepreneurs to connect deeper with their audiences.

How could you not drink coffee as an entrepreneur? The long days, the planning, and time requires an intense amount of caffeine. I listen to a lot of audio for our podcasting clients and a nice cup of coffee makes my work even more enjoyable.

5. Michael Zanetti

Michael Zanetti is the co-founder of TradesFactor. TradesFactor is a leading talent management solution designed to enable employers to find, qualify, and manage their skilled trades workforce.

I enjoy drinking because of I appreciate the taste of a bold, dark roast and enjoy the energy boost.

6. Barrett Y. Bogue

Barrett is the president & founder of Evocati. They help businesses market their product or service to the military-connected community to grow their impact.

My work day doesn’t begin until I have a coffee in my hand. It helps me focus, prioritize, and have a productive start to the morning.

7. Starr Corbin

Starr Corbin is the founder of Corbin Solutions. Corbin provides best in class technology program and project management services to federal, state, and commercial enterprises.

I didn’t know what good coffee tasted like until after I left the Army. Back then, I either chewed on the grounds to stay awake or drank it black to keep me going after a 24 hour day. Now, coffee (heavy on the cream) is the start of my day, the 5-minute break I take to collect my thoughts and get ready for the storm.

8. Kris Mancha

Kris Mancha started Sentralloy Industrial Products, an independent sales agency that connects OEM’s to manufacturers of engineered components.

Mostly, I drink coffee out of routine, but also because I enjoy the warm flavor and taste in the mornings.

9. Knight Campbell

Knight founded Cairn Leadership Strategies where they develop leaders through gritty experiential learning on shared outdoor adventures.

Coffee keeps me sharp. I have a 2-year old. It’s delicious. It’s my mind clearing ritual when I get up and read. A steaming cup of coffee at 2am before we start climbing a mountain feeds my soul.

10. Mycal Anders, MS, CSCS

Mycal is the founder of Next Level Performance & Fitness Consulting. At Next Level, we empower our community’s leaders to maximize their individual & collective impact through physical fitness and personal growth & development.

Drinking coffee started as an element of my morning cleanse. Now coffee also accompanies my daily reading ritual each morning.

11. Paul Mackiewicz

Paul Mackiewicz is the founder of #Smart Digital Marketing. #Smart is a premier technology-based marketing company with simple, clear, and smart digital solutions.

There is nothing better than starting my morning with some quiet time in a book or the Bible, some writing and an energizing a high quality cup of coffee to get me moving in the right direction.

12. April Caldwell

April Caldwell is the founder and CEO of fayVen. fayVen is an online platform that books mobile businesses and artisans at local venues for curated pop-up shops.

Coffee is a beautiful thing — the aroma that fills the room, that first sip, the warmth it provides are all aspects of why I have to have it. As an entrepreneur it helps me focus and creates tent poles in my day. It allows me to know when it’s time to get up and stretch, when I’ve finished a cup, that means I’ve gotten enough accomplished and serves as a reward for all my hard work. It serves as a connection between fellow entrepreneurs and provides talking points when you want to keep the conversation light. Coffee is an equalizer — not everyone loves it like I do but most people have an opinion they can share about it. That’s what it’s all about, coffee and connections.

13. Keith Sherrill

Keith Sherrill is the founder of Haint Blue, a certified B Corp based in Mobile, Alabama & Denver, Colorado. Keith describes Haint Blue as a beer company with a porchin’ problem.

For me, drinking coffee is a ritual that starts the night before. You see, I’m tasked with making the pot for my household. According to my wife, the act of making coffee for tomorrow is the most optimistic thing I do — it’s my silent wish for another day. Stay optimistic. For god’s sake, stay caffeinated.

14. Jarvis Freeman

Jarvis Freeman is a cybersecurity expert and the founder of The Cyber Guru. A cybersecurity firm looking to change the face of Cyber through training and consulting.

I drink coffee as part of my habits to trigger myself to start working. Also coffee provides that slight boost for an early morning workout or an all night hackathon.

15. Monica Iannacone

Monica Iannacone is CEO & founder of Weekend Navigators. “We plan Instagrammable vacations, specializing in all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean. We plan memorable destination weddings, honeymoons, and group travel.”

I absolutely love coffee! When I was living in Italy, meeting friends for an espresso was the best part of the day! It’s a relaxing way to connect and network with people, share experiences, and get energized. And now, meeting for a cup coffee is one way we connect with new friends and plan incredible vacations for people.

16. Joey Mac Dizon

Joey Mac Dizon is the co-founder and CEO of The Mobile Cigar Lounge. The Mobile Cigar Lounge provides the ultimate cigar experience at weddings and private events in the New Jersey, NYC, and Philly areas.

I drink a “neat” or “black” coffee everything because of its health benefits. You need everything you can get as an entrepreneur.

17. David Akers

David Akers is the founder and Executive Director of Aviation Kids USA, a 501c3 nonprofit that promotes aviation and engineering careers to underserved kids through hands-on, aviation-focused STEM education.

Coffee provides me with a healthy boost of energy in the mornings and afternoons. This allows me to increase productivity.

Are you building value for the world, love coffee, and want to be featured? Send us your story here. We love hearing about how you’re building the future!