Your hometown on Facebook says Lima. Where did you actually grow up? School?
I grew up just outside of Bluffton, just across the county line and in Cory Rawson School district.
I seem to remember you telling some stories about yourself as a kid that suggest you might have been ornery. Elaborate, please?
I'm not sure that I should elaborate too much, but I seemed to have the ability to walk the line without going over the line....too often. I like to have a good time with friends and family. In school I don't think everyone always understood us...
What did you do after high school? College?
I went to college at Ohio State; after that I ran a bus company.
What inspired you to buy Common Grounds? Do you have a business background or just interested in being an entrepreneur?
I do have a business background, from running several companies to being a restaurant consultant. I have always dreamed of being an entrepreneur. Common Grounds didn't happen at the best time but Sharon and I decided that it was a great place to start.
What's your favorite beverage at CG? Did you drink coffee before buying the place?
My favorite beverage...there are several but the one that I love is an iced peanut butter latte. Before Common Grounds I drank more coffee than I do today. I generally have about 2 cups per day, used to be about 10.
You seem to have a lot of energy that you channel into coming up with creative promotions at CG. How do you think up new ways to entice your customers?
Having lots of energy is important, even on the days that I don't have it, I have to find it. I rely on our employees and customers to create and channel that energy. We are constantly listening to ideas, some we jump on, others we save for a later time. Sharon and I often bounce new ideas off of each other; it seems that a plan to entice new customers takes several months to actually arrive at the store; from idea, to customizing the idea for us, to actual implementation.
What is the strangest request you can remember having gotten from a customer? Any odd beverage flavor combinations?
Strangest request....probably to name our house blend coffee "The Bluffton Icon"... we love being able to taste The Bluffton Icon. One of the crazy flavor combinations would have to be chocolate and banana latte.
Name the best and worst things about being a small town business owner.
The best thing about being a small town business owner is certainly the people, whether it be our guests or our employees. We thrive on knowing our guests or getting to know them. They are what it is all about. The worst thing about being a small town business owner is that everyone knows when you aren't in the caf'e.
What car did you take your driver's test in? What are you driving now? Any particular vehicle that you'd love to be driving someday?
I took my driver's test in my grandma's white Buick Century, I think it was made in 1993. I drive a jeep Grand Cherokee. Freightliner (the semi- tractor company) makes a truck that is like a miniature semi; that would be awesome.
You got married fairly recently. How did you meet your wife? She works at CG sometimes - is she employed elsewhere? Any secrets for working with one's spouse?
Sharon and I got married August 22, 2009. We met when we both worked at Office Depot in Lima. Sharon is employed outside of our business with Huntington National Bank. Sharon and I work only a few hours per week together in the store. Sometimes that is difficult, but I just remember two words: "yes dear". I don't know that I know any secrets, but what works for us is to not take life so seriously you can't see what is important.
Do any other family members work for/with you? My mom does all of our pastries, and my sister Katlyn works in the caf'e usually on Saturday morning s through the school year, and will be around for the summer.
How do you spend your time when you aren't working...or are you always working?
I love to get a little bit of time away from work. Sometimes those periods are few and far between with being in the caf'e and working in the office at our house. I love to work around the house, mow the yard with my new mower and spend times with friends and family.
Ten years from now...where do you see you and Sharon?
Ten years, wow, that's a long time away. I would like to own several businesses and be involved with each of them.
