Day 148 | “I don’t drink coffee”
Day 148 | “I don’t drink coffee”
Early January 2017, I was on my way to work at 6am in the pitch black dark. I had to swing past an ATM in town on the way and spotted a new little shop all lit up and the doors open. No real signage or branding, looking very inner city Melbourne-ish, and with a coffee machine at the back. On a whim I stopped in.
I told the bearded legend behind the counter that I didn’t drink coffee but asked if they did a green tea. Tom laughed, and said “you just haven’t had my coffee, I’ll make you one”. I’ve been having coffee ever since. He should be in real estate.
The thing that got me about @fundamentalespresso was the way those guys created a vibe. Yes they sold a product but the product came second to the service and the genuine comfort you feel the minute you walk through their doors. After only my third trip in, the team all knew my name and used it.... every time. Pretty impressive to watch their crazy growth and I still marvel at how many names those guys seem to remember. Something so simple, but it makes the world of difference in an age where we all seem like a number most of the time.
In an environment where it’s harder than ever, how fantastic is it to see smaller operators succeed and cut their own path. It’s pretty scary to break away from the norm and back yourself in. There are so many people putting in the big hours, loving their point of difference and embracing the small business life. I spoke to 2 such rockstars after a speaking event last week (@kristy_l12 & @ebonymenai ) and I walked away super pumped for them and pretty inspired.
So for anyone out there struggling to take the leap... Small business isn’t easy, but when you get it right it’s phenomenal. I promise.
#coffeetime #nicebeardtom #legends #smallbusiness #hudson365