I never realized how much coffee has shaped me until recently. Seems kind of silly to write about it, but what the heck. I didn't actually even drink coffee until 2004 when I first met my now husband. On a date, he took me to my first Starbucks. I didn't even think I liked coffee! I thought, well, if I could make it as hot chocolate-esque as possible; you know - full of flavors and sugar, maybe I'd like it. After all, I wanted to impress this guy. I wanted to appear worldly and all she-she-poo Miss Coffee Drinker. Ha ha! So I ordered a fun sounding drink, a Caramel Macchiato (no clue what a "macchiato" is). I didn't love it, but the place, the guy, the ambiance... After that first sip, I was hooked and quickly acquired a taste for it!
Coffee drinking became an adventure for me. It became a place where I could bond with my new man. A place where I could do my people-watching. It was fabulous! Flash forward 13 years ~~~~~ Quit my job in corporate America to do my own thing. I had worked alongside many, many C-level executives and thought, you know what? I have learned so much over the years and never had a voice. I was never asked, "How should we proceed"? or "What do you think"? So, I started my own company and have thus far (1.5 years in) not looked back. Only forward. Now I ask myself these things every day and even answer myself!
Guess what? Coffee. I have found so much success, made so many great connections, had the best conversations, obtained so much knowledge, from my now very regular coffee dates, that I am flabbergasted! Unbelievable to think I ever thought coffee was an "old person" thing. Ha! I laugh at that. Coffee is lifeblood. It's a connector that gives you energy. Never, in my roles as an Executive Assistant to CEO's did they ever take me to these coffee shops. Never, as an Office Manager, could I venture out to meet and chat with people at one.
Thank you, husband. Thank you for introducing coffee and me. I owe my success in my business to YOU and COFFEE! Oh! And to all the lovely, intelligent, interesting, knowledgeable people I've met while sipping my coffee. My life is forever changed. My business is growing and I will continue to schedule my coffee dates. Want to grab a cuppa Joe? I'm ALWAYS up for it! Just reach out. You never know what we can share or where the relationship will go from there. There, in that little coffee shop. That shop and that little mug with the heart shaped foam art in it can bond people by creating friendships and new business mentors/colleagues, it can change your mind, your day, your outlook, your plan... (If you don't like coffee? What's wrong with you?! Just kidding! I'll get you a spot of tea then! We'll have a tea party)!
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