Mid-Year State of the Union
Man, this shit is fun.
I take so much pride in how the coffee catering business is going. We’re booking dream clients. We’re making sick merch. We’re crushing events. We’re confident, we’re thriving, and most importantly, we’re not going anywhere.
So let’s dive in.
Clients
This is the headliner. I’m going to brag.
We did an event with FIFA. FIFA!! FEEEEFFFAAAHHHHHH!!!!! At NY/NJ(?) Stadium. Can I call it MetLife Stadium again? Whatever you want to call it, we did an event there with the FIFA team. And got a tour of the stadium two days prior to the World Cup Final. Sick.
In any other month, Trader Joe’s would be the headliner. I mean, how cool? The amount of dollars that Trader Joe’s has saved me on groceries whilst living in NYC and LA cannot be measured in under 5 figures. I’ve been treated so well by TJ’s staff throughout my life, so it feels amazing to be able to give back and serve them.
My lifetime debt to FanDuel is probably nearing closer to even now. Not because I’ve been hot betting NRFIs, but because we got to serve a golf outing for FanDuel in Hamburg. We had two signature cocktails at the event. The Fore Right, which was our cold brew, chocolate peanut butter whiskey, and maple sea salt cold foam. The second was the Mr. Daly, which had our cold brew, lemonade, and vodka. Both drinks absolutely SLAPPED.
Coffee & Chill had us back at their event in Long Island City. That rocked. We got to work behind the bar with another founder, Mike from Motif coffee syrups. Working alongside another founder (who is also grinding) was an awesome experience. Definitely our fastest-paced event, where we were about to pump out 150 drinks in the first hour. Efficiency, baby!
AMB Method had us at their event in Margate. To be a part of a community so warm and welcoming, in a place we love to visit, was truly special. The team powering the AMB Method are actual superstars (looking at you, Ali and Samara), so if you can find a way to get into one of their classes, drop everything and do it.
We’ve been pressure tested. We served a 750-person event at a NYC office for 6.5 hours. We crushed it. The mid-morning bacon, egg, and cheese helped. Salt pepper ketchup, obviously.
And to cap off the month, we got to go to the Boll & Branch corporate office in Summit for their National Intern Day. I was so grateful to meet Missy, one of the founders, and chat about life and entrepreneurship and such. I’m a loyal Boll & Branch sheet-buyer for the rest of eternity.
Private parties mixed in. Our normal growler drop-offs. Caffeinating our friends and family on the regular.
Our clients this quarter have been special.
Pipeline
It’s strong. Our website is generating a ton of leads. We’re getting more reviews. Our service is continually improving. My sales skills are becoming lethal.
Confidence
My wife told me a quote recently. And I’ve been using it against her a ton, as a loving husband should. But I’ve taken it to heart. And I’m trying to live by it:
“Worrying is a bad use of your imagination.”
Stop worrying. Stop the negative thoughts. Be creative. Be daring. Run with the good thoughts.
Early on in the catering world, I’d toss and turn all night, terrified of everything and anything that could go wrong. But this month, I’ve seen a lot of shit. Security protocols, tight windows, stairs, thunderstorms, technological errors, late nights, early mornings, Canadian wild fires, sunburns. Shall I go on?
So far, I’m undefeated in conquering these.
I sleep like a baby the night before events. I’m confident the morning of events. I throw on some Ella Langley or Flo Milli before an event. I roll with the windows down. Nothing can stop me.
Personal
This will come as a shock to a lot of readers. But we moved. To the ‘burbs. Watchung, to be specific.
So, on top of all the stuff mentioned above, we had to uproot our lives.
For the rest of the year, I’m hoping to get way more involved with the local community.
And by local community, I’m most notably looking at you, Sparkee the mascot.
Someone, anyone, please get me in contact with the Somerset Patriots. I want to be their coffee cart on record. And I will be. Is that how manifestation works?
Content
It’s not where I want it to be, but it’s better.
I’m more comfortable posting. I have a better grasp on what the viewers enjoy.
I’m going to continue being open, authentic, and myself.
Big things coming here.
Hoping for 10k followers by the end of the year. I’ve got A LOT of work to do to get there.
Relationships
I’ve blogged this before, but it’s worth repeating.
The people in this industry are beyond willing to help.
I have an amazing relationship with my coffee roaster, Java Love. I’m a part of a coffee cart community that is helping me grow, professionally and personally. People check in on me. People care about the wellness of the business.
Not only am I the beneficiary of this community, but I’m also able to help others.
That feels awesome.
I’m so grateful for that.
Hunger
It’s still there. I’ve been looking forward to a day to relax and do nothing.
Today was supposed to be that day.
I went for a long morning walk.
The whole time, I was eager to get back to my laptop and grow the business.
I’m hungry.
The desire to be great is burning.
We’re just getting started.
