I REMEMBER THE EXACT DAY
I remember the exact day — March 12, 2020.
The COVID-19 lockdown had begun in Florida and my business was effectively pushed into a neutral position. All of the live conferences I had been scheduled to appear at were canceled and my speaking engagements went up in smoke… poof!
I was scared, unsure of what this would all mean, and lacking any plan where I could pivot to drive revenue back into my business. I knew I had to adapt, or my business would not survive.
Through all of the chaos and uncertainty, I knew I couldn’t face this new territory alone and I knew it was going to take a lot of coffee.
I had a dream of pulling a few people together into a coffee shop designed in a virtual setting so we could just talk through the unchartered waters we all were in at the same time. Sure, it sounded like a great idea, but I had no idea how it would play out because I had never done it before. I knew nothing about running a coffee shop chat, let alone in a virtual setting.
Then, on March 23, 2020, my virtual coffee shop opened its doors — Coffee with Kelly was serving!
It’s surreal to me that was 3 years ago this week. Yes, you read correctly, 3 years of this little virtual coffee shop that started with an idea to bring hope into the darkness has grown into a worldwide community that has met over 200 times now.
Every Friday from 8 AM - 9 AM I open the Zoom room for anyone who wants to come and have conversation, coffee, and community. No agenda and no script, just authentic conversations wrapped around what each of us are feeling and experiencing as this changed world continues to unfold.
I have always practiced a ritual of writing an inspirational “word of the day” on the side of my Starbucks cup ever since I can remember. Consequently, I decided I would incorporate this into the virtual coffee shop and let the word of the day guide our discussion for that day. There has never been a charge to attend, and my mission was to offer a safe place that was positive and supportive for anyone who needed it.
Looking back now, three years after the grand opening of Coffee with Kelly, a group that started with six people that showed up for the first coffee date, to a consistent community of over 70 who come every Friday to share a cup of coffee and connect.
WHAT ONCE STARTED AS AN INVITE THROUGH A LINK VIA ZOOM HAS TURNED INTO A COMMUNITY OF HOPE, AUTHENTIC CONVERSATIONS, PERSONAL GROWTH, FRIENDSHIPS, AND TRUE RESILIENCE OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT.
We have witnessed many transformations inside the coffee shop, watched friends find jobs, overcome health obstacles, and some turned fear into strength… humanity at its best. We don’t care about job titles, income ranges, ages, or where you came from. We care about building connections and serving one another. Check out this video!
So, as I look back on how this all started and where it is all going, I want to take this opportunity to personally invite you to Coffee with Kelly. If you ever feel as if you are not valued or heard, this is the place for you to stop on in and be a part of this community.
Whether it is just to listen to the stories that are shared or to share your own story, I am confident you will leave feeling fulfilled in your own way.
Action item for today: Register yourself and bring a friend to Coffee with Kelly and make sure you mention it’s your first time so we can welcome you. If the coffee shop is ever full and you need fulfillment, just send me a note and I will personally make sure you get a seat at the table.
People don’t come to Coffee with Kelly. People ARE Coffee with Kelly.
With Love & Coffee,
Kelly Merbler
