RSS
Home
Good coffee doing more
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
I have long admired the work of those directly impacting their local community. Of course, with the world economy as it currently is, the number of people willing to help is hard to find. Even more so, the number of people affected by poverty and lack of opportunity to better themselves is on the upswing. Sadly, in times like these, many people who might otherwise lift a helping hand, turn inward and become protective of what they believe might be dwindling resources. This exacerbates the plight of those suffering in our communities. So convincingly, I began looking for those trying. What I found wasn’t fortune 500 companies, fundraisers or charities. What I found might seem like an unlikely candidate. Surrounded by skyscrapers and the busy streets of Dallas I found a selfless man and his selfless effort. Just remember one thing though; it is not about the man.
Indeed Urban Dog Coffee is a coffee shop, yet coffee isn’t what they’re all talking about. There is a different sort of conversation happening and it’s an extension of a helping hand. This isn’t to say their coffee isn’t great; it is! However, their coffee is only a compliment to their friendly pleasantries and community service.
When I first placed a call to Urban Dog Coffee I only expected to reach that shift’s barista who may or may not be able to answer any of my questions; but she could. I had many, but it began with one: “May I please speak with Brady?” To my surprise, she said yes. He isn’t hard to reach. He was there! But, I wasn’t prepared for that. What would I say? After all, what would I say to a person I didn’t expect to talk to?
“This is Brady,” he said as if talking to an old friend.
“Hi Brady, this is Nate from the Examiner and I am wondering if I can ask you some questions about what you guys are doing over there.”
My conversation was interrupted by an invitation to his coffee shop. Upon my arrival I was welcomed with a warm cup of coffee and a warmer greeting. As I began sipping my coffee, I was eager to have my questions answered. However, Brady first served all of his customers before entertaining my inquiries. In the mean time my wife and I had a quiet chat with a like-minded barista. As she shared her chips and salsa with us, she immediately made us feel at home.
All of this to say, their friendly service was quite the disclaimer to what I could only hope would be a great interview. I led off asking general questions, but Brady never responded with a casual answer. Every answer seemed to be perfectly rehearsed and eloquently developed for this very moment. Yet, that’s only how it seemed. It didn’t take long to realize that this was no recital but the expression of a committed lifestyle of service. Lets make no mistake about it, Brady is not in the coffee business, he is in the people business. It just so happens you’ll get a great cup of coffee too. Whether its committing 7% of every dollar earned to the local community or donating up to 50% of the art show’s revenue to local non-profits, Urban Dog Coffee is not only making an impression but a tremendous impact. When asked about the commitment, he humbly answered, “It’s a good way to build community with those in the community . . .we are having discussions about people getting involved with things outside of themselves.”
Thankfully, these are the kinds of conversations going on at Urban Dog Coffee. With the slogan, “Good Coffee Doing Good”, what more could one expect?
Remember though, this is not about the man!
Stay tuned for part II of, “Good Coffee Doing More”
