Ep. 17 - Nixie & Rafael Diaz - Coffee Heroes

Well, it has been a wild ride since August of 2020, and while we have a ton more we want to accomplish with Mixing Business with Pleasure, we have decided to put the interview portion of the show on temporary hiatus. 

As most of you know, this podcast has been a passion project for us, and lately we have realized we just aren’t able to commit the necessary time and resources to it to provide you with the quality content we know you want and deserve. 

Our priority this year is to significantly scale our business, Proofpoint Marketing, and to do that, we have to focus. We have to focus all of our time and resources on setting goals, building plans, serving our clients, building out new service offerings, hiring more people, etc. 

To have this singular focus, we have made the difficult decision to stop our interviews over the next 3 - 6 months. 

But we don’t want to leave you all hanging. We want to continue to provide valuable content for couples in business, but without the extra resources of looking for and managing guests, preparing for interviews, episode post-production, and so on. 

We are committing to providing you an inside look at what we're doing to scale our business this year. We are going to be releasing a monthly episode where Gaby and I will tackle important topics like goal setting and annual planning, remote work, hiring process, and much more.

So if there is a particular topic you would like to hear us discuss, let us know at mikeandgaby@mixingbizwithpleasure.com

We thank you all for listening, and we plan on coming back with more amazing guests in the back half of this year. If you want to be notified when we are back with new interviews, follow us on all the socials or sign up for our newsletter.

Here’s to a killer 2021!

P.S. if you are interested in B2B marketing, we are launching our B2B marketing podcast, Show me the proof. Get to the point. We have some exciting interviews lined up with some great marketing leaders and experts. Follow Proofpoint Marketing on LinkedIn, to know be notified of the exact launch date.

This is honestly one of the most incredible couples we’ve had the privilege of interviewing on our podcast. Together, they’ve gone through multiple careers, business ownership and parenthood. Gina has also battled (and beat!) cancer four times—all with Eric as her caregiver, right by her side.

From the film industry to financial planning to now owning & running Think GREAT, their work has definitely been a big part of their shared story. However, love came first for these two and it has clearly remained first throughout their entire marriage and journey together. 

Through it all, goals have been a powerful thread and anytime life derails them or sends them for another loop, goals bring them back together and help propel them forward. 

In addition to their company, Erik and Gina have also founded a non-profit organization called the Think Great Foundation, which offers scholarships to military spouses—a cause close to their hearts.

Erik & Gina’s story is so inspiring and we know you’re going to adore them as much as we do. 

Here are some of the secrets behind their beautiful success in life, love and business:

• Goals are incredibly powerful. They can drive you forward and bring you together in the best and worst of times.
• Hardships can lead to greatness in your life. Take the challenges life gives you and find ways to use them to fuel you and inspire you. The things that come out of your hard times may just save someone else someday.
• Setting your goals is exciting, but to accomplish them, you have to implement steps and track them. The key components you need to think about with any goal are the steps you take, the people you need to enlist, and the time you’re going to allocate to the goal.
• Lead by example. Do what you’re telling your people to do. If you want them to set goals, let them in on your goals. If you want to be appreciated, appreciate them. 
• Create a foundation of leadership. Every one of your team members should have a leadership mindset—even if no one reports to them.
• Be positive for your people. Every leader needs to be a beacon of positivity right now. When the storm is at its darkest and the ships feel lost at sea, turn on your light. It’s not the time to turn it off. Also, remember that this too will pass.
• Hire people with passion and that want to be a part of the team. You can train job skills, but you can't give someone passion for what they're doing.
• Life’s too short to try and work with everybody. Your clients have to fit within your vision and your mission just like your employees do.
• Family comes first. Prioritize the people you love and your time together over your work always. 

We truly can’t say enough amazing things about this pair! Their story, their encouragement, their outlook, their tips... all incredible. We know you’ll love them, too!

More From Our Couple

• Learn more about Erik & Gina’s businesses, Think GREAT, Think GREAT Now, and the Think GREAT Foundation.  
• Email: erik@thinkgreat90.com & gina@thinkgreat90.com  
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eriktherwanger/ & https://www.instagram.com/thinkgreat_/ 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThinkGREAT 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/think-great-llc-/  
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/thinkgreat 
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLflbx0qQDfy2MMoi5g9roQ/videos   

Mixing Business with Pleasure:

• Email: mikeandgaby@mixingbizwithpleasure.com
• Instagram: @mbwp_podcast
• Subscribe on iTunes
• Follow us on Spotify
• Check us out on Google Podcasts
  
  

One last thing before you go...

If you’d like to sponsor or advertise with Mixing Business with Pleasure, let’s talk.

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These two found love together before officially founding their company. Although, Michelle actually started her first business back in 2009 before meeting Doug. However, it wasn’t until he entered her life in 2013 that she really saw the opportunity to grow and scale. 

In 2016, Doug & Michelle co-founded Pink Callers and the rest is history! They are the perfect complement to one another in business—Michelle is a pro at getting ideas off the ground while Doug is amazing at getting things done!

Now, this amazing pair is on a mission to provide work at home opportunities for other at-home professionals, parents & caregivers. They would love for everyone to experience the kind of freedom and flexibility they’ve found through their remote business (which is something we can certainly relate to!).

Doug & Michelle are also looking for new ways to provide support to even more home service businesses and have founded the Myers 5 Group as a part of that effort.

We absolutely loved hearing their story and we know you’re going to gain so much from our interview with them as well. Here are just a few of the secrets of their success in life, love, and business:

• Sometimes you need someone outside of what you’re doing to really see what you're offering in your business and how you can grow it. 
• Say yes! Take a chance on yourself and say yes to new opportunities. 
• Just do the next right thing. You may not be able to see the end, but you have to take steps and keep forging forward. 
• Don’t push your partner. Allow them to grow and thrive in their own way. You don’t want anyone being dragged into something they aren’t ready for.
• Take control of your destiny. Tomorrow’s not promised to any of us. Whether you think your job is secure or not, if you’re not the leader and driver of your own destiny, you really don’t have a secure job. Every single one of us is replaceable in corporate America.
• If you have a dream for your mission, take it to heart and carry it out. Your vision for your company is important.
• Establish which lane each of you will be in and respect those lanes. Also, give each other permission to tell the other person when they are crossing into your lane.
• Customer service is a key component of your business. If it’s not in your wheelhouse, consider how you can address that need properly or outsource it. 
• Document everything. Get things out of your head and onto paper.
• Enjoy your life! Don’t forget to have fun together. Life is short, embrace it and each other. “Hold it lightly.”

The love and joy was absolutely palpable from these two. It’s so clear how much they are embracing doing life, love and work together. We know you’re going to love them, too!

More From Our Couple

• Learn more about Doug & Michelle’s businesses, Pink Callers & Myers 5 Group.
• Email: doug@pinkcallers.com & michelle@pinkcallers.com 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pinkcallers/ & https://www.instagram.com/myers5group/ 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pinkcallers & https://www.facebook.com/myers5group/ 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pink-callers/ & https://www.linkedin.com/company/myers-5-group/ 
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/PinkCallers & https://twitter.com/myers5group 

Mixing Business with Pleasure:

• Email: mikeandgaby@mixingbizwithpleasure.com
• Instagram: @mbwp_podcast
• Subscribe on iTunes
• Follow us on Spotify
• Check us out on Google Podcasts
  
  

One last thing before you go...

If you’d like to sponsor or advertise with Mixing Business with Pleasure, let’s talk.

If you never want to miss a single tantalizing moment or update from Mixing Business with Pleasure, subscribe to our newsletter.

Like many of our guests, love definitely came first for these two! They met over 20 years ago in college and have now been married for 15 years. They are also parents of three (four if you count their business as their last “baby”).

Prior to opening their business, they worked in separate jobs but often in the same industry. 

And while their careers were often parallel, Jim & Chantea are obviously the perfect complement to one another in and outside of work. 

Through Functionised, Chantea focuses on the health & wellness of the human mind while Jim focuses on the body. Together, they offer a wide range of holistic wellness services to their customers.

We absolutely loved the tips, dreams and goals these two shared with us and we know you’re going to gain so much valuable insight from our chat as well. Here are just a few of the secrets of their success in life, love and business:

• Don’t be swayed by people telling you they’d never work with their spouse. Working together opens up new ways for you to grow as a couple. It gives you the gift of time together to stay more in sync, harmonized and productive at home and in your business.
• Mix your business and pleasure! Keep work fun and take any moments you can to embrace being together. Have a lunch date in the middle of the work day. Keep a bottle of wine at the office for a late Friday night. Enjoy life!
• Rest when you can. It’s not easy balancing a business, a relationship, family and life in general, but you have to prioritize routines, going to bed on time and taking time for yourself.
• Good sleep is crucial. Before bed, do a brain dump and write out everything you're thinking of. Go ahead and make your plans for the next day to put your mind at ease.
• Create smart, attainable goals. As humans, the more that we accomplish, the more motivation we have to accomplish more. Start small.
• Hone in on the passion behind your goals. The why matters.
• To grow your organization, you have to give up some amount of control. Hire help or bring in another partner, but be sure to find people you trust who align with your values and core beliefs.
• Self-care is not selfish. When you’re the best version of yourself, you’re the best parent you can be. You're the best spouse you can. You’re the best business owner you can be. It all starts from within.
• Create structure and don’t try to multitask. Focus on what you’re doing until it’s done.
• Your kids are listening and absorbing the things you say to and around them. Include them in your business when and where you can. Let them learn from you.

We truly adored our time spent talking to this strong, loving couple. We know you’re going to learn so much from them, too! 

More From Our Couple

• Learn more about Jim & Chantea’s business, Functionised and FitLab. 
• Tune in to Jim & Chantea’s podcast
• Email: jgoetz@functionised.com & cgoetz@functionised.com 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/functionised/ 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/functionised, https://www.facebook.com/jimgoetzfit & https://www.facebook.com/chanteagoetzfitness
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chantea-goetz-phd-s-m-s-ces-42843b42 & https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesgoetznewjersey/ 

Mixing Business with Pleasure:

• Email: mikeandgaby@mixingbizwithpleasure.com
• Instagram: @mbwp_podcast
• Subscribe on iTunes
• Follow us on Spotify
• Check us out on Google Podcasts
  
  

One last thing before you go...

If you’d like to sponsor or advertise with Mixing Business with Pleasure, let’s talk.

If you never want to miss a single tantalizing moment or update from Mixing Business with Pleasure, subscribe to our newsletter.

For this pair, love definitely came before work. Jason and Tova have been together since college and admittedly have a hard time remembering life before they had each other in it.

Jason is a lawyer and the managing partner of the Weiss Law Group. He practices business and commercial litigation. Tova handles the financial side of the law practice. She also, along with the pair’s 14-year-old son, runs an apparel company for lacrosse players called Longpole Life. 

Jason & Tova’s 11-year-old daughter, who is a dancer and dress maker, has now launched her own clothing line, My Lazy Wear, with her family’s help as well.

This inspirational family of four is very tight-knit and genuinely loves doing life and work together.

We know you’re going to adore Jason, Tova & their family as much as we do! Here are just a few of the valuable tips behind the secrets of their success:

• Let your partner help you! If they offer to jump in, let them. Don’t try to do it all yourself. Respect their abilities and let them help.
• Just because you’re friends with someone or like them outside of work doesn’t mean you’re meant to be in business together. It’s important to recognize that and part ways if you need to in order to save the friendship.
• Make sure your clients (and your kids!) know they can come to you about anything. Stay open to communication and make sure they can trust you.
• Listen to the people in your life that you love and trust. They know you best.
• Embrace your time together as a family, but also support your kids gaining independence & finding what they love. Let them learn, make mistakes and problem solve.
• Don’t work 24/7. Take time for yourself. Take time for your family. Work isn’t everything.
• Continue to pivot and pursue what you love. Find what really lights you up and dive into that.
• Get creative. No matter what job you’re in, there is always a way to problem solve and find a creative solution. 
• Consult with a lawyer in your state as you’re establishing your business to make sure you protect each other and your family.

There were so many wonderful moments and pieces of advice from Jason and Tova! Don’t wait another minute to tune in to their fantastic interview.

More From Our Couple

• Learn more about Jason & Tova’s business, Weiss Law Group.
• Learn more about the kids’ companies, Longpole Life and My Lazy Wear.

Reach out!

Jason & Tova

Email: jason@jswlawyer.com  | Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/longpolelife/ & https://www.instagram.com/my_lazy_wear/ | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LongpoleLife & https://www.facebook.com/mylazywear/ | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-s-weiss/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/tova-weiss-5226577/, https://www.linkedin.com/company/longpole-life-inc/

Mixing Business with Pleasure

Email: mikeandgaby@mixingbizwithpleasure.com | Instagram: @mbwp_podcast | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MBWPPodcast/ 

One last thing before you go...

If you’d like to sponsor or advertise with Mixing Business with Pleasure, let’s talk.

Today’s guests, Mike & Alyssa Kaeding are married entrepreneurs who run a thriving apartment management company, Norhart, located right here in Minnesota. They are also parents to two young children. 

This pair of childhood friends have known each other their whole lives, but didn’t start dating until near the end of college. Soon after graduating, they began working together in Mike’s parent’s business before they even got married. Eventually, Mike & Alyssa completely took over the business from his parents after losing his father suddenly in 2015. 

Today, they’re teaming up to create a better way for people to live through Norhart—which has grown over 500% in the last decade! They’ve also been recognized for being one of the first in Minnesota to provide smart apartments to their tenants. 

In addition to their success as business owners, this couple highly values giving back to their community as a way to honor Mike’s father’s legacy. Their ultimate goal in all they do is to create a better way for people to live. 

We know you’re going to love this conversation with Alyssa & Mike as we talk about their journey in marriage and business. Here are just a few of the valuable tips behind the secrets of their success:

• Sometimes you have to get past your own ego to see the opportunities that are right in front of you.
• Your work-life balance will always be a work in progress...and that’s okay! Just make sure you continue to strive to find a better balance.
• Hire help sooner rather than later. Don’t run yourself into the ground trying to wear more hats than you can.
• Find your why, but also find out how to make it operational. Your why needs to tie into your purpose, mission, values, strategy, goals and habits. 
• Give back to your local community whenever and however you can. Also, find ways to get your staff involved in these efforts.
• Let your partner be involved in the business at the level that is right for them. Your roles can be whatever works best for the two of you. 
• Compromise. In your marriage and in your business, there has to be give and take. Make sure both of you are heard.
• Go deep, not wide. Be the best at what you do. Focus on what you do well and double down on that. 
• Be clear about your expectations, but also be willing to adjust them.

We know you’re going to love this heart-felt, jam-packed episode and you’re sure to adore this pair as much as we do! Tune in now.

More From Our Couple

• Learn more about Mike & Alyssa’s business, Norhart. 
• Email: mike.kaeding@norhart.com & alyssa.kaeding@norhart.com
• Mike Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikekaeding/
• Norhart Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/norhartapartments/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/norhart
• Mike Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikekaeding
• Norhart Twitter: https://twitter.com/norhart
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikekaeding/ & https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssakaeding/ 

Mixing Business with Pleasure:

• Email: mikeandgaby@mixingbizwithpleasure.com
• Instagram: @mbwp_podcast
• Subscribe on iTunes
• Follow us on Spotify
• Check us out on Google Podcasts

One last thing before you go...

If you’d like to sponsor or advertise with Mixing Business with Pleasure, let’s talk.

Today’s amazing guests, Amanda Greenberg & Noah Bornstein were childhood friends turned married entrepreneurs and now, parents to two little ones—an almost 6-year old and a 7-month old. Together, they run their co-founded business, Balloon—a company dedicated to transforming how teams interact. Their company has worked with leaders from places ranging all the way from Google to Amazon to the Los Angeles Angels. 

This pair ran into each other’s lives at a very young age. Amanda & Noah were actually on the same t-ball team when they were 5 and 6 years old. They feel in love in high school and the rest is history. They’ve now been married 11 years and have a beautiful family of two boys—one of whom they welcomed to the world this year during a global pandemic.

Before founding their company, Balloon, Amanda was a public health researcher in Washington, D.C. In that role, she discovered the way many of us collaborate at work is fundamentally broken. Business tools and processes such as meetings, email threads and group chats don't address the way our brains really work in a group-setting. They also don’t address how we share information or how we make decisions. 

As a response to this, Balloon was founded to bring behavioral science and technology expertise together to unlock the true value of collaboration by removing cognitive bias, group dynamics and fears.

This couple didn't initially anticipate working together, but looking back, it’s obvious they made an incredible founding team and are excellent compliments to each other.

Noah has a background as an engineer and designer. He brings his technical expertise to the table while Amanda leads on the business side in sales, marketing, fundraising and team growth. 

And while they are total opposites in many ways, these two are completely aligned in work ethic, ambition and drive. They’re continually motivated to find new ways to lead and to help others do the same. Here are some of the wonderful takeaways and highlights of our conversation:

• In many ways, your spouse is the perfect person to be your co-founder. It can be an ideal compliment in terms of trust, alignment, worth ethic and all these other things that really have to come together.
• Do your research and find out where needs are in the market. What isn’t accounted for and or being solved? Dig in to that.
• Technology is not only an innovative tool for the types of tasks we can do at work and where we can do work, but also in how employees can communicate, contribute and have their voice heard. It has the ability to create a more inclusive, better workplace.
• There will never be a perfect time to start your company. Whether money is tight or your family is growing or whatever...there will always be a reason to wait, but if you feel pulled by the problem you’re solving or need you’re meeting, you’ll find a way to make it happen.
• Be brave. Make the hard, fear-filled decisions early on. Just keep going and know there will be ups & downs, but you can push through.
• You can’t skip steps—especially when it’s your first company. Each of those different pieces or decisions makes you a better leader & founder.
• Define who you want to be in the marketplace, what you want to stand for and what your internal values are that drive the business decisions.
• Don’t let anyone’s preconceived notions of you derail you from your goal.
• Hire a phenomenal team. This includes amazing, reliable childcare.
• Collaborate & leave space for each other. You’ll reach the best outcome with both of you engaged and involved.

We know you’ll adore this bright, hard-working couple as much as we do. Their story and company are truly inspiring. Tune in to hear more now!

Connect with Our Couple:

• Learn more about Noah & Amanda’s company, Balloon
• Email: amanda@getballoon.com & noah@getballoon.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balloonplatform/ 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BalloonPlatform
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/BalloonPlatform
• Amanda's Twitter: https://twitter.com/AKGreenberg
• Noah's Twitter: https://twitter.com/NoahBornstein
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/balloonplatform
• Amanda's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandagreenberg/
• Noah's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noahbornstein/ 

Mixing Business with Pleasure:

• Email: mikeandgaby@mixingbizwithpleasure.com
• Instagram: @mbwp_podcast
• Subscribe on iTunes
• Follow us on Spotify
• Check us out on Google Podcasts

One last thing before you go...

If you’d like to sponsor or advertise with Mixing Business with Pleasure, let’s talk.

This amazing couple truly is doing it all right now! They have a newborn baby boy and are also going through the post-production process for their recent film—which they starred in AND produced. We have so much to say about this lovely couple, but we’ll start by diving into what brought them to this point in their lives—where they’re so beautifully mixing business with pleasure. 

Jenn is an award-winning actress known in the faith-based market. She starred in over 70 projects including two Oscar Nominated films, Frost/Nixon and Alone Yet Not Alone. Her movie, My Daddy is in Heaven, broke records as a mover and shaker on Amazon and trended on Netflix, followed by Lionsgate’s Saving Faith—a film starring both her and Jim. In addition to acting and producing, she speaks across the globe inspiring and impacting audiences.

Jim is an award-winning actor who has appeared on ABC, NBC, CBS and the hit video game, Red Dead Redemption 2. Jim had a recurring role on BET’s The Quad, AMC’s Lodge 49 and has had 20 appearances on the Investigation Discovery Channel.  In April, his movie, Inheritance was scheduled to premiere at the famed Tribeca Film Festival, but COVID-19 forced the release to go digital. In the movie, Jim shares the screen with Lily Collins.

This pair has worked together on over 15 projects including an international modeling campaign in China. Together, they own and run Idealist-Gotzon Films which produces movies—including The Farmer and The Belle.

Their mission with The Farmer and The Belle franchise is to provide a Biblical pathway to teen girls and women showing them their value & debunking the lies 90% of women believe about their physical appearance.

The film also takes its important message beyond the screen with three products that support the truth of beauty founded in relationship to God: a #Beauty Bracelet, a 30-day devotional and a children’s book that reinforces the film’s message.

The movie itself is actually based on their real life story and we know you’re going to love diving into today. Here are some highlights and tips from our chat:

• Build your relationship on a firm foundation of truth, hope, passion and friendship—and allow those to carry you through your marriage and business.
• If you’re a person of faith, consider how your faith plays a part in your life, your relationship and your business. Don’t be afraid to lean into it, but in a way that’s inclusive and doesn’t alienate people.
• Communicate with your partner about your thought process and let them know when you’re not feeling heard. Honesty and compassion should always lead your conversations.
• When deciding your next step or your next niche, go back to your mission and let that drive you.
• Keep working toward your dream and your vision. It may not happen overnight, but if it’s worth pursuing, you’ll get there. 
• Put yourself out there and get creative with your funding & collaborative possibilities. People want to know you and are looking for your passion in your project or business. You’re ultimately what they’re investing in.
• Find out how you compliment each other and rely on one another’s strengths. Honor and celebrate your differences, and see how they make you stronger together.
• Things may not work out exactly as you envisioned, but that’s okay. Your business, your product, your film can still be a success. There are many paths to take and options to pursue.
• Support, encourage and uplift the value of your partner in all that you do. Mutual respect is crucial.
• Focus on positive thoughts & truths. What you meditate on and repeat in your head affects your reality. 
• Be open. Be open to learning, growing, failing and succeeding together. Enjoy the journey!

We know you’re going to love every moment of our chat with this beautiful couple! Tune in now and be sure to check out The Farmer and The Belle this holiday season. You can catch the movie at any of the following platforms:

• iTunes: https://apple.co/3knPOzo
• Amazon: https://amzn.to/3fa0Je0
• FandangoNow: https://bit.ly/2KhcTql
• Microsoft/Xbox: https://bit.ly/3f4BtWM
• GooglePlay: https://bit.ly/36IaL2l
• YouTube: https://bit.ly/3pF4eOv
• Vimeo: https://bit.ly/3pBOFY2

More From Our Couple:

• Learn more about Jenn & Jim’s film, The Farmer and The Belle
• Learn more about Jenn’s acting, writing and producing career on her IMBD page.
• Learn more about Jim’s acting career on his IMBD page.
• See photos from Jenn & Jim’s wedding and their family farm (also featured in their movie).
• Email: christmascomedymovie@gmail.com
• Farmer and the Bell on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/farmerbellefilm/
• Jenn's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenngotzon/
• Jim's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimjamec/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FarmerBelleFilm/ 

Mixing Business with Pleasure:

• Email: mikeandgaby@mixingbizwithpleasure.com
• Instagram: @mbwp_podcast
• Subscribe on iTunes
• Follow us on Spotify
• Check us out on Google Podcasts

One last thing before you go...

If you’d like to sponsor or advertise with Mixing Business with Pleasure, let’s talk.

For Rafael Diaz & Nixie Espinal-Diaz, love definitely came before work... at least working together. Although, Rafael claims he used business to hook his love. This beautiful pair met dancing the night away, but most of their first conversations were actually around their family businesses.

Rafael is a serial entrepreneur and has had many ventures with different business partners that all fell through for one reason or another. At one point, he and one of his business partners made it as far as the 2nd round of SharkTank trying to seek funds to grow their high-end coffee machine business. 

When the funding fell through, they decided to go their separate ways and that’s when Nixie proposed to Rafael that as a couple they should  join forces and start their own business. 

The decision to build a business around coffee came easy as Nixie had a background as a barista at her dad's deli & grocery store and as a child, she saw her grandma pick the wild coffee cherries and roast them in their backyard in the Dominican Republic. 

These two love working together and actually call their business their “second marriage.” They say their love for each other, their customers, and coffee continues to grow with each cup brewed.

Here are some of the beautiful and tangible tips from this “twice married”, coffee-loving pair:

• You have to have the same mindset as your business partner—just liking or loving the person is not enough. Your business plans & goals have to be in alignment.
• Working with family can be hard. You have to show respect, but you also have to communicate, rely on each other’s knowledge & ultimately decide who will take the lead.
• Meet your partner where they are. Understand where they are coming from and know you can’t change them. You have to work with them. Rely on each other’s strengths.
• Sometimes the right idea is just under your nose. Listen to your instincts and take a leap together.
• Your vision for your business will grow and evolve. Don’t limit yourself to just want you know, but look for ways to go bigger and do more. 
• Reach out for help. Hire a coach for your relationship, your business or both!
• Find out what triggers you and own the parts of yourself that make you mad at your partner. You can’t change their behavior, but you can control your reactions to it.
• Use your logo and your brand identity to convey a piece of yourself and your story along with what you are selling.
• Learn how to present your product and share your journey with your audience online. But remember growing your brand takes time and be patient.
• Give back where you can. Find ways your business can support nonprofits and organizations you are passionate about. Growing your business can also mean increasing your ability to give more.
• Slow & steady wins the race. Take your time and go at a pace both of you are comfortable with. Keep it manageable. 

We know you’re going to learn so much from this pair and are sure you’ll love them as much as we do. So grab that cup of coffee and tune in now!

More From Our Couple

• Learn more about Nixie & Rafael’s business, Nixie’s Coffee, and don’t forget to use the code LOVE at checkout to receive 30% off your coffee order!

Reach out!

Nixie & Rafael

Instagram: https://instagram.com/nixiescoffee & https://instagram.com/nixie_espinal | Facebook: https://facebook.com/nixiescoffee | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nixieespinaldiaz 

Mixing Business with Pleasure

Email: mikeandgaby@mixingbizwithpleasure.com | Instagram: @mbwp_podcast | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MBWPPodcast/ 

One last thing before you go...

If you’d like to sponsor or advertise with Mixing Business with Pleasure, let’s talk.

Like many of our guests, love came first for these two entrepreneurs. Their love story actually began very young. This pair went to the same high school, but didn’t officially meet and get together until a couple of years after. Now, it’s 20 years later and they’ve never looked back!

Prior to becoming a business owner, Britney spent her time acting on stage and screen. And as someone who’s always been comfortable with an audience, she’s found the ability to be comfortable on-camera has helped her teach those same skills to other business owners on the social media stage. 

She now owns and runs Fun Love Media—which provides social media management, content creation and email marketing services to other business owners. And if you’ve been secretly (or not so secretly) hoping to go viral on TikTok, Britney may just be the gal you should talk to.

Ryan recently decided to join her in the entrepreneurial life and transition from a 24-year construction career in Corporate America to being a full-time business co-owner with wife Britney. Inspired by their mutual love of wine, these two own a clean-crafted wine business—and we can definitely raise a glass to that!

As recent guests on Britney’s podcast, we’re excited to turn the tables today and dive into the details of her & Ryan’s story as we learn more about their love, life & work on our show. Here are some of the moments you don’t want to miss in our conversation:

• Don’t stay stuck in a corporate career that doesn’t work for your life and your family. Other people don’t get to dictate the life you lead.
• Take things in stride and stick together. Find joy & hope in each other even when the world tries to get you down.
• Go with your gut. If something does sit right with you, question it. Look at what you’re moving towards.
• Life happens & jobs are lost, but you can choose to take something hard and turn it into an opportunity to change your course. The path may not be exactly what you thought it was going to look like, but you can still get where you want to go.
• Keep pursuing your dreams. You are never too old to keep pursuing your dreams or to find a new way to make your dreams come to life. Your dreams matter.
• Find ways to grow and scale your business that work for you. This doesn’t always mean growing a huge team. You can also scale by serving many people at once rather than one on one. 
• Remember the importance and beauty of providing a livelihood for your employees. It’s a phenomenal part of being a business owner.
• Give your partner props for being able to take on different roles in your life and family. The beautiful (but also hard) thing about being in business for yourself is being able to change who is doing what for your business, your kids & your family.
• Cherish the stage you’re in. If you have kids, soak in time with them while they are little and enjoy it because it won’t last forever.

More From Our Couple

• Learn more about Britney & Ryan’s businesses and Britney’s podcast here.

Reach out!

Britney & Ryan

Instagram: @britneycrosson and @rrcrosson | Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/britneycrosson/ |
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BritneyCrossonOfficial/ | Twitter: https://twitter.com/britneycrosson |
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/britneycrosson/  

Mixing Business with Pleasure

Email: mikeandgaby@mixingbizwithpleasure.com | Instagram: @mbwp_podcast | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MBWPPodcast/ 

One last thing before you go...

If you’d like to sponsor or advertise with Mixing Business with Pleasure, let’s talk.