00038. How Brie Thomason Started and Grew Brie'sta Coffee Company to 42 Employees at Just 20 Years Old

On today's episode of Gritty Founder, Kreig Kent talks with Brie Thomason about how she built and grew Brie’sta Coffee Company with her husband, Kasey. Brie shares excellent advice on execution and strategies for managing a team.

Brie resides in Idaho where she and her husband opened a coffee shop at 20 years old. They have since opened a second shop and has grown from 0 to 42 employees.

Some Questions Kreig asks Brie:

- How did you decide where to open your first location? (9:38)

- What do you think is the most important ingredient for a founder to be successful? (16:18)

- Can you share a negative experience that now seems like a blessing? (25:00)

- What are some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned on your journey as an entrepreneur? (28:25)

- What is some tactical advice for managing difficult employee situations? (31:33)

- What advice can give founders who are in the early stages of building a company? (37:10)

- What is your grand vision for Brie’sta Coffee Company? (41:35)

- What is it like running a business with your husband, and what advice can you give others who are starting a company with their significant other? (46:43)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

- About Brie’s background, why she became an entrepreneur, and how she started Brie’sta Coffee Company (4:18)

- How Brie and her husband started the first Brie’sta Coffee Company location (8:19)

- The importance of entrepreneurial DNA (19:07)

- The difficulties of managing people, and some advice when confronting employees (28:34)

- You cannot plan enough, but you also cannot plan forever (37:31)

- Why you should never keep score with your business partner (48:28)

Connect with Brie Thomason:

Twitter

Brie'sta Coffee Company

Also Mentioned on This Show...

Brie’s favorite quote:

“Give a damn. Give more damns than anyone else.”

Brie’s book recommendation:

The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey