In today’s episode, Jeff begins a series of shows exploring people who have created businesses based on their skills. In this show, Jeff interviews Brad Barber of Cabin Coffee Company, a multi-state coffee franchise based in Clear Lake, IA.

Brad and Jeff discuss:

1. Several seeds in his life led him to want to own his own business.
2. After his wife died he and his son moved to IA.
3. Later he met his second wife and decided to create a Cabin Coffee Company.
4. After he was laid off from a hotel company, he got a job as a contractor. When the contract was coming to a close, they decided to open their company.
5. They opened in time for their Christmas on the Lake 2003.
6. He always knew they wanted to do more than one store. 2.5 years later they opened location number two.
7. Within 9 Months later they had their first franchise.
8. “Your Brand has to Come from the Inside of Your Soul”
9. Built systems from the very beginning. That helped them grow rapidly as a franchise.
10. Had some really good people that we hired that helped us grow.
11. During Covid we invested in our POS systems, Apps, and online ordering.

Fast Five Questions:

1. If you woke up and your business was gone, you have $500, a laptop, a place to live, and food, what would you do first? “I have this other passion. United to Serve with Passion and Purpose. Helping people find their talents and gifts. Utilizing them to help others.”
2. What is the biggest mistake that you have made in business? “I should have talked to God a lot more for the wisdom to make good decisions.”
3. What is a book that you would recommend? “7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. Thanks a Thousand by AJ Jacobs”
4. What is a tool that you use everyday that you would recommend? “A Positive Attitude.”
5. What is the best way to contact you? “www.cabincoffeecompany.com.”

Jeff spent the early part of his career working for others. Jeff had started 5 businesses that failed before he had his first success. Since that time he has learned the principles of a successful business and has been able to build and grow multiple seven-figure businesses. Jeff lives in the Austin area and is actively working in his community and supporting the growth of small businesses. He is a board member of the Incubator.Edu program at Vista Ridge High School and is on the board of directors of the Leander Educational Excellence Foundation

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