Don’s Entrepreneurial Journey From RV Life to Coffee Empire

Think you're the only one who's messed up royally? Guess again! On this episode, we're pulling back the curtain with Don Niemeyer of Story Coffee, a true pioneer in the Colorado Springs coffee scene, as he bares it all!Join us for a wild ride of honest confessions, a little bit of laughter, and invaluable insights that every small business owner will want to hang onto. Don shares his incredible story of starting a coffee business after living a minimalist life with his family in an RV, which led to a booming coffee company built out of a tiny house. You'll hear about:The Rule Breaking Entrepreneur: Don candidly discusses how he kept getting fired from corporate jobs because he was a "rule breaker" constantly finding creative solutions outside the box. He realized entrepreneurship wasn't a choice, but the "only path" for him.From Portland Coffee Scene to Colorado Springs: Discover how Don and his wife honed their coffee expertise, even becoming coffee competition judges in Portland, before returning to Colorado Springs with an unconventional vision.The "Oops" Moment of the Revocable Permit: Learn about the hilarious and initially concerning "revocable permit" from the City of Colorado Springs that launched Story Coffee's first tiny coffee shop in Acacia Park, proving that sometimes the best opportunities come from unexpected places.Simplicity as a Superpower: How embracing a minimalist approach and a small footprint allowed Story Coffee to expand to a second thriving location, serving the community in a big way without the "big palace" overhead.The Platinum Rule of Leadership: Don and the hosts dive into a powerful discussion about leadership, emphasizing that true leadership isn't about the "golden rule," but the "platinum rule"—understanding and meeting the individual needs of your team, even when it means breaking your own ingrained habits.Don's journey is a testament to embracing the unexpected, learning from every "oops" moment, and building a thriving business on your own terms. Tune in for an honest, vulnerable, and incredibly fun conversation that will leave you inspired and ready to tackle your next big challenge!