Zachary Lucero - From Hockey Sticks to Coffee Grinds

As a child, I dreamed of becoming a professional hockey player. Growing up on the ice from age seven, I wanted to play at Denver University until the events of 9/11 shifted my trajectory. The patriotism inside me led me to join the Army instead of pursuing hockey, a decision that would shape the next 19 years of my life. Coffee started as a hobby—roasting, tasting, and searching for the best beans.

During the pandemic in 2020, while recruiting for the Army, I found myself with unexpected free time when we were told to stop coming into work. With retirement on the horizon, I saw an opportunity to transform my passion into a business. "I love building teams. I've always loved mentoring, teaching people how to do new things, and leading," I reflect. "What better way to do that than doing it in something I really, truly love—coffee."

My entrepreneurial inspiration came partly from my brother, who owns a roofing company in Denver, and fellow veterans who successfully launched their own businesses after military service. Their examples showed me that leadership skills from my military career could transfer perfectly to entrepreneurship. What began in my garage has grown steadily, expanding from Michigan to Arizona to Louisiana and finally establishing roots in Colorado Springs.

Throughout this journey, I've maintained my commitment to quality, affordability, and supporting the veteran community—bringing together my past dreams and present reality into a future filled with purpose