1. What are the most challenging and rewarding aspects of your job and why?
The most challenging part of my job is explaining to businesses how offering superior coffee to their customers isn’t just good customer service, it’s also a great way to help grow their own businesses.
The most rewarding part is when I meet someone who’s already familiar with True Coffee and how great our products are. That lets me know our marketing and branding campaigns are working exactly the way they should be.
2. Who do you look up to or admire in business and why?
Seth Goldman, the CEO of Honest Tea. Seth saw a need for a healthy, organic, responsibly-made product on the market. Rather than just settle for what was available, he made his own product out of his kitchen. Peddling his tea one grocery store at a time, he grew so much that eventually Coca-Cola offered to buy him out. Instead of just selling out and losing control of his vision he maintained the majority control of his business. These days he’s affecting change on the board of Coca-Cola by creating healthier products.
For one man to believe in his product so passionately that he can go from his kitchen to 15,000 stores on his own, and then bend a company like Coke to his principles, I find simply amazing.
3. What has been the high point of your career so far?
Without a doubt the highest point in my career so far has been winning the 2013 Best Humorous Commercial—Large Market Radio award from the Wisconsin Broadcasting Association. Knowing something that started as just an idea rolling around my head ended up making thousands of people laugh made me prouder than I’d ever been.
4. Thinking back on your career, what advice would you give your 21-year-old self?
Travel more while you’re unfettered. There’s so much to learn and experience out there. The world will be waiting for you when you get back home.
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5. What would you say are the best things about living and working in Dane County?
That it’s nearly impossible to be bored. No matter what you’re interested in, there’s something for you to do and people to share it with.
6. Do you have any secret talents or abilities that people would be surprised to discover?
I can play the ukulele like a boss. I’ve also been told many of my impersonations are quite passable.
7. What are your guilty pleasures?
Comic books. I’m 34 years old and I’m still a huge comic book nerd. I love reading them, collecting them, and discussing the mythos behind them for hours on end. When Comic Con came to town a few months back I about lost my mind. When Lou Ferrigno came by my office I did my best to keep it together. Getting to play catch with two of the actors from The Walking Dead will remain among my greatest hits. I drag my girlfriend to every comic book movie and ask her to watch every comic character-themed TV show with me. Look for me when I’m 80 years old. I’ll be in the theater for the 19th Spider-Man reboot.
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