Q 1. Kindly give our readers an introduction to your business. Please include what your business is all about, in which city you are located and if you have offices in multiple locations/ cities.
Ans: I want to provide specialty coffee, so people can enjoy their quality coffee without paying ridiculous amounts for specialty coffee. In addition, I wanted to share my friend’s story, Josh Nelson, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2012. We should never forget what our men and women have sacrificed and their continued sacrifices who serve our nation and local communities. The money we make, we give back to our community (veterans, first responders, and other organizations in need). The extra push to get this started was the withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. This was more motivation to push Josh’s story so people don’t forget what sacrifices were made, not just from Josh but other service members.
◦ The coffee part of the business is also a great deal to us. We partnered with a coffee roaster who only works with specialty grade coffee. This means quality. We are not a clothing company that sells a ton of merchandise, yes we do have some, but not like our competitors. We concentrate on the coffee. We meet with the roaster once a month and discuss expectations and the future.
◦ We are currently online and stocked at Ukura’s Big Dollar Store in McGregor, MN. We hope to continue to grow while supporting our team, our community.
Q 2. Kindly give us a brief description about yourself (it should include your brief educational or entrepreneurial background and list some of your major achievements).
Ans: I grew up in east Tennessee, playing in the woods and sports. Both of my parents were hard working individuals. On, my mother’s side of the family we have a military lineage dates back to WWII. My family served in the U.S. Army, from WWII, Vietnam, and Iraq. I tried college a few times, but I was not disciplined at the time. I decided I needed to do something else, I enlisted into the U.S. Army in 2007 and deployed to Afghanistan twice as an intelligence Soldier. I earned the rank of Staff Sergeant, but I decided it was time to leave in 2013 after my second tour. I started college and eventually finished with a Bachelor’s in I.T. and a Master’s in Cyber Security. My wife and I decided to move to Colorado where I tried to start a government contracting business, but I was not passionate for it. However, I was placed in leadership roles with previous companies and my now current company. I currently manage a team and the account for the company. In addition, I started One Team One Coffee in 2021. I continue to push forward with growing One Team One Coffee.
Q 3. What inspired you to (start a new business venture) or (to make significant changes in an existing business)? How did the idea for your business come about?
Ans: One Team One Coffee was started to remember a fallen Soldier, Josh Nelson, who was killed in Afghanistan. I selected coffee as a business because I believe when you have a cup of coffee with someone; you are sharing a “moment”. You are able to share stories, have relaxing conversation, and just enjoying the company. In addition, we take the money we make and give back to veteran organizations, first responder organizations, and other organizations that support our community. I want to sell specialty grade coffee without people having to pay for ridiculous prices for specialty grade coffee.
Q 4. What three pieces of advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs?
Ans: ◦ Never give up, always keep pushing forward
◦ Do your research on your competition to separate yourself
◦ Be patient
Q 5. What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
Ans: ◦ Communication/Network
◦ Research what is current for your target audience
◦ Marketing
Q 6. How many hours do you work a day on average?
Ans: ◦ 9-12 hours
Q 7. To what do you most attribute your success?
Ans: Keep pushing forward, stay motivated
Q 8. How do you go about marketing your business? What has been your most successful form of marketing?
Ans: Instagram, Facebook Ads, word-of-mouth, and gun shows. The gun shows have been our most successful form of marketing, however they are local, which restricts us to the local market.
Q 9. Where did your organizations funding/capital come from and how did you go about getting it? How did you obtain investors for your venture?
Ans: I funded the capital, no investors are involved
Q 10. What is the best way to achieve long-term success?
Ans: Write a business plan and continuously adapt to your market
Q 11. Where you see yourself and your business in 5 – 10 years?
Ans: Nationally recognize and on more in-store shelves and to have the ability to donate to more organizations.
Q 12. Excluding yours, what company or business do you admire the most?
Ans: I do not have an exact company. However, I admire small businesses as they all have started from a similar base model. I like to see small businesses grow, that is part of America. Turning an idea into reality.
Q 13. How important have good employees been to your success?
Ans: Employees make your company. They are your second family.
Q 14. How long do you stick with an idea before giving up?
Ans: I would try the idea out before just giving up. If I am motivated/passionate I will continue with it.
Q 15. What motivates you?
Ans: I want to be able share Josh’s story and be able to provide support to our community.
Q 16. What are your ideals?
Ans: Growing the company via the internet and in-person
Q 17. How do you generate new ideas?
Ans: Over a cup of coffee and researching what the competitors are doing and are not doing
Q 18. How do you define success?
Ans: To me there is no fine line of success, I want to be able to continue to develop, adapt, and grow, so that we can continue to provide support for our community.
Q 19. How do you build a successful customer base?
Ans: Providing quality products and service
Q 20. What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
Ans: I am able to take ideas and develop them into reality
Q 21. What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
Ans: Meeting and talking to people that enjoy coffee and who support our community
Q 22. What do you feel is the major difference between entrepreneurs and those who work for someone else?
Ans: Yes and no, entrepreneurs are able to venture out, take their own ideas, and make it real on their own, however that is not to say a person who works for someone else is not able to do that. They will just have more of a bureaucracy to deal with to get their ideas across.
Q 23. What kind of culture exists in your organization? How did you establish this tone and why did you institute this particular type of culture?
Ans: We have established an honest culture. We are able to accept feedback and provide our quality with our products. This naturally develops into us being able to honestly speak about our products and receive honest feedback from our customers.
Q 24. In one word, characterize your life as an entrepreneur.
Ans: Motivation
Q 25. How has being an entrepreneur affected your family life?
Ans: It has taken some time away. However, my wife and I do attend the gun shows together, so we get to grow together.
Q 26. What is your greatest fear, and how do you manage fear?
Ans: Failure, I manage this by always pushing forward.
Q 27. How did you decide on the location for your business?
Ans: No, as I want to become a national business
Q 28. Do you believe there is some sort of pattern or formula to becoming a successful entrepreneur?
Ans: I don’t think so, I think it is just continuously adapting and staying motivated.
Q 29. Who has been your greatest inspiration?
Ans: My grandmother, she came to America from Thailand and taught herself everything. She still continues to push forward and work hard.
Q 30. What are some of the biggest mistakes you’ve made?
Ans: Not doing enough research.
Q 31. What are your hobbies? What do you do in your non-work time?
Ans: I like to work and play outside, shoot guns, and work-out
Q 32. What makes you happy?
Ans: Family and Friends
Q 33. What sacrifices have you had to make to be a successful entrepreneur?
Ans: I had to give up time, work on the weekends and week nights
Company Detail:
Company : One Team One Coffee
Contact : Trent Gregory
Address : 46757 E. Harvard Ave.
City : Bennett
State : Colorado
Zip : 80102
Country : USA
Phone : 719-362-0151
Email : oneteam@oneteamonecoffee.com