SAVE LIVES - DRINK COFFEE | How An Entrepreneur Is Using Coffee to Save Children | Anton Krecic

Speaker A: You know, for me it was like this idea of like, you know, if we really want to advocate for life. And I was very passionate about the pro life movement. Like, we can do that in the business world, we can do that in the for profit space. It doesn't have to wait on politicians to make these policies come to life. Like we can, we can have a, uh, real change saving lives without the government. We can do that ourselves. There's a lot more work we can do on the day to day.

Speaker B: Hey, what's going on? This is Brett Snodgrass with another episode of the Iron Deep podcast. Got Anton Kres on the podcast with me today. What's going on, Anton?

Speaker A: Hey, Brett. Great to be here.

Speaker B: Yeah, man. I'm super excited, uh, for this episode. Uh, I've been reading about you. You got a lot of content out there, a lot of videos, and you just have this amazing mission behind your business, Seven Weeks Coffee. And guys, I want to just introduce Anton. He is the CEO of Seven Weeks Coffee. It's a mission driven coffee company that is funding the pro life movement one cup at a time. They launched in 2021. Anton has turned a simple idea, uh, into a national. They donate 10% of every sale to pregnancy care centers across America. Uh, they have donated and raised over $1 million supporting more than 1,000 pregnancy centers in all 50 states, helping women and families choose life. This is amazing mission, Anton. I'm super excited, uh, that you're just, you're bold, number one.

Speaker A: Thank you. Yeah, that's the idea of what we're doing, empowering consumers and yeah, you know, it's time to take a stance for, you know, a biblical worldview and especially a pro life worldview.

Speaker B: Yeah, yeah, man. Uh, so, so, so true. Um, I just want to ask this man, obviously before all this, uh, before coffee and everything, you, you probably had a conviction, right? I mean, you said, hey, I want to stand for something. I want to stand for a kingdom minded business. And. And uh, so this conviction, can you tell me about just that moment in time?

Speaker A: Yeah, you know, I'd say it's less a moment, but more moments in time that kind of led to where, you know, seven Weeks Coffee is today. You know, I've always had a passion for entrepreneurship and I always had a pass, you know, advancing biblical values. Uh, before I actually started seven weeks coffee, I worked here in Washington D.C. doing fundraising for a lot of faith based and conservative organizations, political organizations. And so I had a lot of things kind of like, I'd say culminating the background where, you know, then led to, um, the idea of seven weeks coffee. I, um, got to visit a pregnancy center years ago and just see the work they're doing, and we're just totally moved by the stories they share of the lives they're saving in their communities and the moms that need support. Support. And, um, so that was. That was all kind of leading up over that, say, a course of, like, three years, um, to what led me to Googling pro life coffee and then realizing nothing came up and feeling that light bulb moment of like, I am starting a pro life coffee company today. Um, it was two weeks after I got married, and I hit the ground running that night, and, you know, here we are.

Speaker B: Wow. Wow. You know, one of the most stressful things in life is, number one, getting married that first year of marriage or starting a business. Right.

Speaker A: Get it all in two weeks.

Speaker B: That's. That's awesome. What did your. What did your wife think about this? I mean, you kind of came up with this. This idea. What was her. What was her response to that?

Speaker A: Well, she was shocked. You know, it's funny. You're two weeks into marriage, you're thinking about, like, just getting settled into life and marriage and routine, and I'm calling her, saying, I'm gonna start this, you know, pro life coffee company. What do you think? And, um, she was like, wait, what are you doing Coffee company? I'm like, no, it's a great idea. Uh, she's like. And then, well, this is the funniest part. She's, you know, what are you going to call it? I said, I don't know yet. And she goes, oh, what? Don't mom sometimes when they're pregnant say, like, my little bean is like this term of endearment. Endearment. And, um, she's like, well, when is a baby the size of a coffee bean? I'm like, that's a good question. So I look it up. At seven weeks, a baby is the size of a coffee bean. At the same time, a heartbeat's detected on ultrasound. I'm like, perfect. Seven weeks coffee. Donate 10% of every sale. So moms can hear their child's heartbeat for the first time at, um, pregnancy care centers, which provide ultrasound services. So name, admission all came together in that one phone call. But, um, it literally has been our marriage from the beginning. Is this, you know, this company. And luckily and gratefully she's been on board and, you know, has been a part of it, um, you know, behind the scenes, but incredibly integral part of the business.

Speaker B: Yeah. So in your marriage, would you say are you mostly the dreamer or. And she's more the ground that I know. Mary, sometimes there's a ying and yang there. I'm the dreamer and just roll the dice. My wife say, hey, you know, wait a minute, let's, let's make dinner tonight.

Speaker A: Yeah, it's probably a little more of that. You know, it's funny though, she does, um. My wife, I'm so grateful because has a great, you know, supportive attitude with this everything, you know, just, you know, never, never feeling discouraged and never feeling, you know, um, like I'm coming out of left field but always curious. She's always interested and you know, really supportive. And I think that's was so beneficial because I'm literally telling her I'm starting this coffee company which, you know, I didn't have any background in coffee. I didn't have any, you know, I've never started a business before. I've always liked business. And um, you know, on paper it might have not made sense, but you know, she was really supportive, supported from the beginning and help, you know, grow it to what it is today.

Speaker B: Yeah, it sounds like you guys have been super successful. I mean just four, uh, years in. Right. And you said multimillion, uh, dollar business. I mean it takes, I, I, I've done a business for 18 years and I know how much work and energy and, and that it takes. So you guys have just had. What do you think the, just the component of this success is it kind of the mission behind it?

Speaker A: Yeah, you know, it's funny, um, it's multifaceted for sure, but right place, right time. You know, post Covid, a lot of companies were getting really into like the woke world corporatism of advocating for very anti Christian, anti, you know, American values, even, um, very secular values, pro choice values. Um, so you saw like this, you know, like political activism in corporate America. So there was a very much of a swing in the other direction from like, you know, millions and millions of Americans that I'm um, sure a conservative biblical worldview who are like, yeah, I don't want to spend my dollars, you know, with people that actively try to destroy the very worldview I believe in. So I'd say, you know, founding our company during that time was, you know, a, uh, part of it. And quite frankly it just, it didn't exist. No one had a pro life, you know, coffee come. This idea of, you know, coffee is a great way to have a mission to share your story, to advocate for certain values and really to bring People together around those values. Think of black rifle coffee, what they do with veterans. And, you know, they have that, you know, that stream and the Second Amendment, um, and they're obviously an incredibly successful company. So, you know, in the same vein, you know, we have this, you know, very large, you know, passionate group that we're getting to embrace, which is the pro life, you know, movement in America. And just no, you know, you know, had this product for, you know, for that community. And so that's really what led to the growth. But it's a very long winded answer. All to say is like, right place, right time, you know, good product, um, fit. But the best thing is like, you know, a quality of our coffee. You know, we could talk about that later. But, you know, the funny thing is, like, you don't want to just say you're pro life or say you advocate for certain, like, values without actually, you know, backing it up with your product or service. So you haven't. You have to have a really good product, and that's what we do. So I'm really proud of that. And, you know, that's definitely led to the rapid growth of our customer base now.

Speaker B: Yeah, yeah, let's talk about that, uh, a little bit. Obviously you said you didn't come from the coffee business world. Uh, coffee business. I mean, I don't know anything about the coffee business. I, I would imagine it's pretty competitive. I mean, I look around, I live in northern Indiana, and we have quite a few coffee shops. Um, uh, so I know it's a competitive market, but how, where do you start with this? And how do you make it successful in the, in the coffee world?

Speaker A: Right. You know, I, I had to learn it. Um, I was very passionate about coffee at the time, so I wasn't like, you know, totally unaware of the industry, um, and just finding the right partners. So for us, it was the most ethical sourcing, which is through direct trade. So we don't buy through a brokerage. We don't buy blind. We buy directly from farmers. So right there, that sets us apart in terms of exceptional quality, making sure we're paying farmers three times that fair trade requires. Um, so that's number one. Number two, it's all specialty grade. So it's the highest end specialty grade. And it scores an 85 plus on the, uh, Q scoring system, which is kind of like just that, you know, a scoring system. How do you rank coffees? Right? Like, what's better, what's worse? And so we really can, you know, honed in on the highest quality specialty grade from direct from farmers. And then on top of that, our coffee's lab tested for mold, so making sure it's mold free. So, like, there's a lot of, you know, rigorous things we're doing behind the scenes that's like separating us on the coffee level, you know, that's gonna be much better than your average cup of coffee from, you know, either a coffee shop or a grocery aisle. Um, yeah. Which, you know, on the product levels, again, that's how we're able to really grow. And also like, you know, customers are surprised, like, oh, I just bought it for the, you know, the cause, but I didn't realize it's the best coffee ever had, which is a very common review.

Speaker B: And it. So they're repeat customers now, right, because, oh, 100%. They buy first for the cause and they buy second for, you know, for the cause. And uh, and the quality of that, um, that's awesome. So you came from the politic, the politician world? Um, politics, yeah. What's, I mean, what's, what's that like to work in Washington D.C. and the politics in this generation? I, uh, mean a lot of times Christianity, I mean, we've just seen, Right. It's just been a storm, uh, recently with, with the news events. Um, so what's that been like, man, for you?

Speaker A: Yeah, it was a great learning experience. And I will say, like, you know, it was disheartening from the sense that very little change can sometimes happen on the political level. It can. Ah. And there's like this somewhat of a fallacy of like, as believers, as Christians, our values can only be, you know, advocated for or implemented on the political level. Like this idea that we're, we're not, we're not very impactful on the personal or the, um, you know, the, you know, business level or, you know, through commerce or just, you know, something that's, you know, in the, in the regular realm, whether that's business life or family, you know, we have to wait for politics to make a decision for us or to, you know, kind of change the status quo on a certain issue. So, you know, that was kind of the biggest learning experience. Like, that doesn't really happen much in D.C. and also, you know, on both sides of the aisle, you know, obviously on the left, there's zero regard for faith or family or, you know, a biblical worldview. And on the right, it's, it's, it's somewhat there, but not even that important. So, you know, for me it was like this idea of like you know, if we really want to advocate for life, and I was very passionate about the pro life movement, like, we can do that in, you know, the business world. We can do that in the for profit space. You know, it doesn't have to wait on politicians to make, um, you know, make these policies come to life. Like we can, we can have a real change saving lives, um, you know, without the government, you know, we can do that ourselves. And again, that's not to say that laws don't matter. It's not to say that we don't need good policy, which can't happen. It's just like, that's not the only thing that matters. There's a lot more work we can do on the day to day.

Speaker B: Yeah, yeah, definitely. Uh, no, I love that. I love to see just more faith driven entrepreneurs in the for profit world. Because a lot of times you're right. I mean, it's like, hey, um, maybe go into politics or maybe I'll go into nonprofit, uh, start a charity and do that, which is awesome. But uh, but I just love seeing, you know, people like yourself just leading, leading a business and uh, leading it from your heart, leading from faith. So, so amazing you say this, that Jesus is my business partner. What does that like look like for you in your business? Like, can you give us some examples? Like, what is, um, what does that look like?

Speaker A: Yeah, I mean, I'll tell you the, the most impactful thing. It's, it's when we first had the idea for a Pro life. When I had first idea for a Pro Life coffee company, I was like, okay, what does that mean? Like, you just say you're pro life, you just donate a portion of each sale. I was like, no, we have to be like super transparent with what we're giving back. So, you know, the first thing that came to my head was like a tithe, you know, giving back 10% of every sale. It sounded easy. It just sounded simple. It's like, oh yeah, 10%, that seems, doesn't seem like a lot hind sense 2020, um, it is a large portion of our profits. Um, I'm sure. Yeah, so it is. Uh, but I had that idea from the beginning. Okay. If we're going to be this Pro Life coffee company, if we're actually going to, you know, advocate for these values, it has to be somewhat transparent. Like we want to show the impact we're making. When I like say that because you're drinking this coffee, you're actually helping save lives. And I didn't feel confident saying that without being completely transparent with our dollars. So 10% every sale. Everybody knows how much that is. Move the decimal place, decimal one place over. And so that was it. But as we, when I started, you know, you know, getting going off the ground, I was like, wow, that's a huge portion of our profits. And I start looking into it, you know, it's upwards of 50% of our profits. I'm like, looking at other businesses, I'm like, oh, wait, Most businesses donate 10% of profits, not every sale. I'm like, oh, that's a big difference, right? I was like, maybe. I. And uh, I. This is like where I was struggling. And you know, this is totally how Jesus is our business partner. Because I was praying, I was like, lord, I don't know if this makes sense. I'm worried, you know, I have to like, make money from this. I have to like, feed my family. Like, this is, like, this is going to be my, you know, life's work. Like, this has to be like a profitable company. And I remember just praying, I was like, lord, I'll trust that, uh, you know, for this to be successful, you have to make it profitable. But I'll also make sure we stick with this donation model. If you can just help it grow, you know, sustainably, profitably, and just like safely, you know, month over month. And he, he did that and still does. And it's been like this, you know, I felt like I almost. It sounds weird, but like, made a deal with God, but it was more like a trust in him is really what it, uh, what it is is this idea that, like, hey, we're doing something abnormal. It doesn't make sense on paper, but what if this is your will? You'll make it work. And he has, you know, we've been able to grow. We've never taken outside funding. It's been profitable month over month. And you know, it's incredibly generous. We have to have a super lean teen and we don't have like a lot of room for, you know, extra expenses. But it's been a business that's been sustainable and it's growing and we're able to give, you know, tens of thousands of dollars a month, you know, over $50,000 a month to pregnancy centers because of this, this model. So it's a sustainable model that's actually funding the pro life movement.

Speaker B: Yeah, yeah. No, I just, I'm trying to imagine, yeah, just the, uh, the cost and the sacrifice that, that, that you're putting out there. I was talking to a coach one time and he said, you know, most businesses if, if they're 5% like profitable, then um, they're kind of, you know, going to the hospital. But 10's about normal, 15 is, they're doing really, really well. So you know, for you to kind of use those numbers in 10% like you're giving. Yeah, it's seriously giving away a lot of your profits right there. So, um, it is.

Speaker A: But again we've been able to be sustainable, deal with all that. So yeah, it's been a blessing.

Speaker B: That's awesome. Let's talk about just, just a calling. You know, callings come with a cost. Right? We've already talked about that and, but uh, you're being obedient, uh, to the mission, being obedient to the kingdom. But um, is there anything else, any stories that kind of come, come to mind when you think about this? Calling has came at a cost at your own life. Maybe it's a relationship, a reputation, um, resources, anything else that kind of comes to mind when the sacrifice that you've had to, made to go in this particular direction.

Speaker A: Well, you know, I'll say like when I first started the company, it just started as a side hustle and um, it wasn't like, oh, this is going to turn into this very large, you know, business one day. I was like, yeah, let's just raise money for a local center. But it's, it soon started to gain traction and during that time, um, I had another full time job. I got laid off from that job. So I was at this like crossroads of like, what do I do now? And that was like the biggest, one of the hardest challenges in my life because um, I wasn't confident enough to go all the way in on seven weeks coffee. But because I got laid off, it like kind of forced me. Yeah, it was, it was that hindsight the best thing that's ever happened to me because it's, you know, this company is, you know, obviously what God has called me to do. It's been life changing in terms of work and purpose and you know, what we've been able to accomplish. And you know, I'd say it's, it's funny when you start a business, um, and when you kind of hear all these stories of other business owners, like I think of you know, Walt Disney who sold like his, his car, which is his last asset to do one more filming of like, you know, his original cartoon. It's like all these people that have like sacrifice so much. It sounds like fun in a story then I did not experience that to the nearest level. But like, getting laid off and just realizing like, oh, wow, I gotta like, make this work to like, you know, turn this in a career, or I gotta like, hustle back out there and get a job. And when you feel like your back's against the wall a little bit, um, it's a cool moment, but it's also a testing moment. And that's, you know, that's why entrepreneurship is such a, you know, risk reward thing. And um, you know, not everyone has a stomach for it, I'd say, but, um, for me, it was, um, the best thing ever happened to me. And um, you know, through all that, it's like, just makes you so reliant on God. Like every day is like, lord, just help me make the right decision. Because I don't, I don't know what to do yet. Like, I'm still learning this business. Like, I'm only a few months in. All of that is, um, is what's led behind, you know, what? God has called me today.

Speaker B: Yeah. Yeah, definitely. Now I think we all have faced like a crossroads like that. And, and I remember, you know, took me back to my crossroads when I had to make that decision, like, hey, am I gonna go all in or am I gonna. Or not? Right? And just keep it as a side hustle and, uh, and then do that. So, um, so that's awesome. It's risky. Um, yeah. Can you tell us about like, has there been like a, a mistake or an error that you're like, oh, man, like I, you know, I learned here, but, but I learned not to do that, but earlier in the business that you can talk, talk to us about.

Speaker A: You know, man, there's, there's so many. And this is like my broad advice to like, entrepreneurs now. It's like when you first start a business like this is there's this weird phenomenon of, um, you actually don't know anything about your business yet because you just started it. And so like, you have to tread very lightly with decisions. You got to be able to pivot and you have to just make decisions that aren't like, catastrophic. And that's like the best advice I can, you know, give is because it's so easy to like, put yourself at risk, um, right away, early on and make, you know, long term decisions that have long term effect when you really don't know anything yet. So I guess I'd say first of all, I think we've done a really good job of never like, backing ourselves in a corner where, um, making decisions where you can't undo, which obviously you can do that. Um, I've had multiple people try to buy pieces of the business. I almost sold some of it to, you know, different investors, and luckily I'm happy M. I didn't do that. Um, but the biggest thing I've had very, you know, I had a, you know, some difficult relationships with suppliers and just realizing that you can't trust people. Like, on world, you do have to get things in writing. As much as you want to be like, you know, you know, a Christian and say, like, you know, you know, whatever you say goes. And I, I definitely learned my lesson from that, that, like, it's good to get things in writing from. From people because, um, you know, you never know what's going to happen. And, you know, that's been the biggest challenge is that you kind of got to learn the fortitude to, like, you know, protect your business too.

Speaker B: Yeah, yeah, no, I like that.

Speaker C: I want to move on. Talking about your book, the Secret War within. This book is amazing. I'll just say it up front. I could not put it down. Thank you for sending me a copy. And I get sent copies and I have just a, uh, catalog of books that I'm trying to get through. And so I didn't know if I would have time for this. And I started like the first chapter and I had like three of the books I'm reading. But then I just, I just came back to this, like, for the course of a week. And that doesn't happen where I just don't put a book down. And this was just something that definitely wanted to have you on talk about it because I think everyone needs to read this, especially men. It really speaks to the heart of the matter. And it's an allegory, which is also not a book I would normally family read, but it's one of those things that I think that it just tells such a, uh, powerful story without breaking it down. Chapter, verse, and like, diving into all the nitty gritty, it just tells a powerful story that so many people can relate to.

Speaker B: Purchase the Secret War within on Amazon, leave a review and share a snippet of your experience with us, uh, through email or text. To show our gratitude, we'll send you a special gift. Just include your name and address in your message. I look forward to hearing from from you. Yeah, I mean, it doesn't matter how long you've been in business, you have to make. And I always try to think long term. I was talking to one of my teammates today, and I'm I'm thinking five, six months down the road and what could happen, um, and the long term effects of some of these decisions right now. And, uh, um, I want to ask you this. So a lot of people, you know, as business guys, I talked a lot of business guys and we, we try to, we separate our business from our ministry, for example. Right. So we do maybe a ministry over here and go to church over here, do some small groups. Um, and then we have our business. And you've been able obviously to integrate that. Um, what advice would you give to people that, that are leading a business and they want to integrate more of their faith into their businesses?

Speaker A: Yeah, I love that question. Um, to me it's all about, like, your realm of influence. Like, your business can be the greatest witnessing opportunity and also, um, impact for changing people's views and their thoughts and deeply held beliefs on whether it's faith or politics or certain ideological positions. Like, you can have a big influence in, like, how you, you know, advocate for, you know, either a Christian worldview or, you know, even, you know, like, for us, the pro life issue. Like, don't be afraid to have that realm of influence. Like, I just, I was talking on another podcast before about this idea of like, it's okay to be partisan in your views as a business owner. The idea that like, you can have a clear set of values. You know, it's like so often, like, I think this is what's happened. Like, why our cultures become so secular and like Antichrist, anti Christian and very like, progressive is because we just kind of silently just like, stayed or kept our like, religious views or conservative views and within the church, like, oh, in this realm, it's okay to be like, this is what I believe. But like, in the business realm or what I do for work or the business I own, like, it's. I have to be like, non partisan. I'm like, no, like, it's okay to be, you know, partisan to share your values too. Like, and what that looks like. I'm not. It's different for everyone. Maybe. You know, your business is a very, like, you know, uh, on, you know, unpolitical business in nature. Uh, you know, it could be, you know, from lawn care or to like, some type of H Vac company. But you have an influence over your employees. You have an influence of how you talk to your customers. Like, all of that matters and those interactions matter. And like, don't be afraid to, like, be clear, um, where you stand. And I think that's the biggest thing.

Speaker B: Yeah, no, I love that I love that. Do you do anything, like, with your team, um, that really incorporates your faith.

Speaker A: You know, we're really open about it. So, uh, you know, everyone on our team is. Is a believer, and that's, you know, awesome that we have that in common and we're able to talk about, like, things very openly. And I love that because, like, you know, some. I'm sure a lot of people are in these situations where they work for a company or. And this is the worst part, like I was saying before, you could own a company and you're not outspoken. So, you know, I think it's awesome that, like, we are, as a team, all outspoken. You know, we can talk about faith, we can talk about life. Um, we do a lot of events together as a team, and that's just like a really bonding, you know, thing where we're actually able to share, like, our deepliest, deep list, held convictions, um, and that's welcomed, you know, in our company.

Speaker B: Awesome. Awesome. Yeah. Do you have a story that, uh, that kind of reminds you of why you do this? Um, obviously you give a lot of money to some pregnancy care centers.

Speaker A: Yeah.

Speaker B: Um, there's anything that comes to mind that you're like, uh, oh, yes, this is. Yeah, this is. This is why we're doing this. Yeah.

Speaker A: You know, I'll take you back. So when I graduated college, um, this kind of, you know, kind of how it all started. I didn't know what I wanted to do in life or career. I didn't like my major. Um, I played college golf, and I dealt with an injury after that, so I couldn't, like, pursue that anymore.

Speaker B: What was your. What was your major, by the way?

Speaker A: Supply chain management.

Speaker B: Okay. Yeah, I don't know what that means,

Speaker A: but I couldn't tell you either. I mean, I didn't pay attention much in school. I was a, you know, into sports, and that was it. And, um, you know, it was like, ah. When I graduated, I felt like I was holding nothing in terms of what I had for me. I didn't know what I want to do, what I was, um, called to do. Um, but I. I just remember that summer after I graduated, I got to intern at my church and just. I was interested in ministry. And I knew after that, I knew I didn't want to, like, work in ministry. But the one thing we did, I got to visit a pregnancy care center. It's in Cleveland, Ohio. That's where I grew up. And, you know, I. I was. I was like, okay, yeah, we're going to the Cleveland pregnancy Center. And in my mind I was like, they're probably this big institution. They're in downtown Cleveland. They probably have a hand, you know, a big staff. They would do a lot of work. I remember going there. It wasn't in the greatest area of town. It was this very small office in a very small room. And it was just a couple people, the director and, I think, a few volunteers. And then you hear these stories of, like, the women that are. They're serving, that are coming in either off the street or they're coming from an abusive relationship, and, you know, they're contemplating abortion, their boyfriend's telling them to get an abortion, and they're providing every resource possible to help save these children and provide for the women in need. And I remember sitting there, I was like, this is the most worthy cause to support yet they receive the most. The least amount of funding. So you have the most worthy cause, like supporting women and children, like, the most vulnerable in crisis. And they need way more money than they're getting to, um, help, you know, protect these women. And that was like the light bulb moment of, I want to help them. And I. This is way, way before Seven Weeks Coffee. But I remember that so vividly of like. Like, that's who should be getting this money. And so when I started Seven Weeks Coffee, that's like, the whole goal of it was donate local. Like, how do we find every pregnancy care center in the country and give directly to them? Because they're going to know what to do with that money. And so our first check, you know, was back to that Cleveland pregnancy center when I started Seven Weeks Coffee. So three years later, when I had the idea, have sold our first month of coffee, sold $8,000, wrote them a check for $800. And, um, they, you know, were obviously very thankful, and that was like the genesis of it. But that how I, you know, was inspired to give to them is because I got to see what they were doing. And, you know, that's what we want to continue to do today is to give locally. And, um. Yeah, that's our mission.

Speaker B: Yeah. No, I love that. I love that. Yeah, I was just, ah, taking into my imagination of you stepping into that, into that facility. That's, uh, that's so cool how it has such an impact on you. Do you have, do you have kids?

Speaker A: I just had a son. Yeah, he's just almost three months old.

Speaker B: Okay, congrats.

Speaker A: Yeah, thank you. Thank you. It's awesome keeping us up at night. And, uh, yeah, actually he just started sleeping tonight, so. Good Well, I know he's, he's a little trooper. Uh, but yeah, I mean, that's been life changing. You know, we're obviously incredibly pro life, but experiencing it for the first time and actually going through the pregnancy of like seeing the stages of development and hearing, you know, the baby's heartbeat and seeing them kick, just like, amazing to see like the life within the womb.

Speaker B: Yeah.

Speaker A: And then you can't fathom how like, abortion is still like a commonality within our, you know, country, that this is like an acceptable practice. And it just blows my mind. So if anything, it's inspired me more.

Speaker B: Yeah, no, definitely. Yeah. That was kind of. My question is like, how is, how's just being a dad just impacted. Impacted you and you've already kind of talked about the mission, but just, just personally, how's that impacted you? Um, right now?

Speaker A: Well, it's, I, you know, it's funny, like when we first found out we were pregnant, like, you definitely have that overwhelming feeling like, oh my gosh, is this happening? Like, I remember the first night, I'm like staying up like, okay, we gotta do all these things. We gotta get ready in like, you know, we've been married for a few years. We're in a very stable, you know, environment. So like, it's all exciting for us. But at the same time I could see like, why women who like, have an unplanned pregnancy, you know, are in college or something, with, uh, you know, a, uh, boyfriend, they don't like anymore. Like why they're like very scared. I could see like the overwhelming nature of why, you know, unthinkably. But people do consider abortion. And so it's, it's made me like, put myself in both shoes of like, okay, now how do we actually meet those needs? So like, you know, there's all these other options before abortion. Like, abortion is not on the table. Like, let's help you financially, let's help you if there needs to be an adoption process. Like, let's meet you where you are. So this is not the scariest time of your life because for us is very, you know, joyful and actually like having the baby and how he's been over the last few months have been nothing but life giving. Like holding your son for the first time is. It's been something you can ever describe. And it's like that is. Everyone has that opportunity to have that joy from it. But most, uh, people were scared from that in the, you know, consider abortion because of their circumstances. And like, how do we bring that joy into Their lives.

Speaker B: Yeah, no, for sure, for sure. I love that. That's awesome, man. What's. Ah, as we kind of wrap up the podcast, I just have a few more questions, but what's, you know, you're a young guy. I, I see a lot of young. I just hired a young guy on our team. He's about 23 years old. Um, and I'm seeing the next generation is, is really just, I don't know, they're very mission and purpose driven and.

Speaker A: Right.

Speaker B: You're putting out a stance and you're putting out a message and what, what do you hope to inspire, uh, the next generation of entrepreneurs? What do you, what do you hope the message is?

Speaker A: Well, I hope there's a lot more entrepreneurs. Like, I think this idea of that like entrepreneur can't be entrepreneurship can't be a career path people choose. Um, you know, is unfortunate because I think it's so many times think old people think like, oh, that's. Other people have to be entrepreneurs. I have to work for someone.

Speaker B: Right.

Speaker A: Um, or they don't consider it like an actual career that you can have. Like, you can start your own business, you can, you have your own employees, you can have your own, you know, way you want to run things and like, that's okay to have that like, type of ownership. Like, and I think we need more people to do that, to embrace it. And like, I want to encourage more people to start businesses. You know, whether it's just side hustles in the beginning or you know, raising money from investors perhaps, you know, there's, it's just, it's just a missing thing in our country. Like, like, let's encourage young people to like, get started in business because you can actually have the most impact, you know, in what you believe, in your values and in your mission through business. So I just want to see more people start their businesses and you know, get into the, get into the game.

Speaker B: Yeah, yeah, no, I said, uh, it's really exciting. So I have a daughter, she's 18 and she's studying entrepreneurship and I, she was an, she interned for us last summer. And uh, she's a freshman at school right now at college. Uh, and uh, yeah, I just love seeing her. She has to start a little business or start a business in college and make, make some profits. So it's just really cool to see young people, right. And their ideas. I'm like, man, like this 23 year old guy, he, I just hired him a few days ago and I was supposed to sit down and train him on what we're doing and he starts showing me stuff and I'm like, hey, train me. Like, what do you like? Because he's all, you know, it's just different mindsets and they've been learning it with a lot of these tech tools and AI tools and stuff like that that I don't know a lot about. Right. So, uh, it's just really awesome to, to see that. And, and uh, we need.

Speaker A: And another thing is like the idea of like believers being entrepreneurs, I feel like, has been like overlooked because we think to live out our Christian faith in the most Christlike way must mean like we can't make money or we have to work in a non profit or like a church. Like to be mo. To be as on mission means like within nonprofit something. And I just don't think that's true. Like we can have such impact, you know, through business, like through for profit and even more so perhaps, um, they're both needed. But it's like, that's a huge calling. And you think about what's the use of money? Well, it's gods that we steward. So if we have that mindset, mindset, why not as Christians, shouldn't we steward more money, not less? Like, you know, why, why do we like, you know, give up this idea of like, wealth is for the secular when as believers, shouldn't we want to steward it because we believe we have a better way of using it? Like that's what I want to inspire people for.

Speaker B: Yeah, I mean, yeah. I mean, it's all about stewardship. And uh, you know, someone asked me, it's like, well, how much do you. Is your business gods or how much is money gods? And I guess there's all of it.

Speaker A: Yeah, I mean, it's like, it's like, it's all of it to be used for. Like, you know how he leads. Yeah, you to use it. And um, I'd rather, it's like, wouldn't you rather have like the CEO of Amazon and Jeff Bezos, his wealth be run like be a Christian in that position? Wouldn't that be a better. Is there better potential for that money? You know, I'm not saying against him. I'm just saying like, theologically, yes, you should want that.

Speaker B: Yeah, yeah, no, I love that. I love that. Uh, last couple questions. Finish the sentence. At the end of your life, success will look like,

Speaker A: oh gosh, Thousands of babies saved and the next generation of Christian business leaders inspired.

Speaker B: Love that. Anything else you want to say? Any other advice?

Speaker A: Ah, uh, no. I appreciate the time. I mean, it's. It's always fun sharing our story and, um, with anything. It's like we're still just getting started and if you have an idea out there, just get. Just get it going. Because you never know what can God. God can do with it. Because that's my experience and what I've experienced with seven Weeks Coffee.

Speaker B: Yeah. And in Alpha, just encouraged. Even though the guys that have been business owners, like I said me, I'm 18 years now, but there's sometimes we just get complacent and, uh, it's guys like you that can inspire us and, uh, new ideas can, can come and like, you know, I still, uh, have this purpose or this calling or I can do something like this. And it's just, uh, it's really cool.

Speaker A: Yeah.

Speaker B: Well, how can. How can someone get some seven Weeks Coffee?

Speaker A: Yeah, it's online, so just go to seven Weeks Coffee dot com. Tons of great things up there. This is probably coming out during the Christmas season here, so a lot of cool specials. So definitely check it out.

Speaker B: Cool. Awesome. Guys. Check out seven Weeks Coffee. And this is a wrap with Anton. Thank you so much for being on the podcast today, Antonio. God bless you, man, much. Brad, go to irondeep.com and check out other resources we have to help you on your journey. We'd love to connect with you. As iron sharpens iron friends sharpen friends.