Meet Brady O’Gara | Founder of Zado Coffee

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brady O’Gara and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brady, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I don’t think there was a single lightbulb moment. It was more like a slow build. I’ve always been drawn to the idea of owning something, creating it from the ground up, and having the freedom to shape it. Even before I knew what kind of business it would be, I knew I wanted to build something that felt personal and meaningful.

Coffee was the first thing that ever made that idea feel real. I got my first barista job in high school, and it just clicked. I loved how coffee brought people together. It created space for conversation, connection, and small moments that mattered. That stuck with me.

Later on, after chasing more traditional paths in college and working internships that looked good on paper, I realized I felt disconnected. I didn’t feel ownership over how I was spending my time. That’s when the old dream came back, but this time with a little more clarity. I wanted to create something that felt alive, something that could show up in people’s everyday lives and make it just a little better. A coffee cart made sense. It was simple, mobile, and human. It felt like a small risk with a lot of heart behind it.

So I started. And it’s been less about building a business and more about building a rhythm of work that feels real to me and hopefully brings something good into other people’s days too.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Zado Coffee was the first thing I started right out of college. Looking back, I didn’t really know what I was doing. I didn’t have any corporate experience or business background, just a love for coffee and a belief that it could bring people together. I moved to a new city where I didn’t know anyone and tried to start a business from scratch. It was hard. Probably way harder than I expected.

I had to figure everything out on my own. Where to set up, how to price things, how to get people to actually care. Most days felt like guessing. There were plenty of moments where I wondered if it was even worth it. But I kept showing up. I kept working, learning, adjusting. And eventually, things started to take shape.

What sets Zado apart isn’t just the coffee, though we care a lot about making it great. It’s the experience. We’re mobile, so we bring everything to you. Offices, weddings, events, early mornings. We show up with a full bar setup and make handcrafted drinks on the spot. But more than that, we try to make people feel seen. This business isn’t just about caffeine. It’s about connection. It’s about bringing something that makes the day feel a little brighter.

I’m proud of how far it’s come, especially because it wasn’t easy. I’ve learned that consistency beats confidence. That relationships matter more than marketing. And that you don’t have to have it all figured out to start something meaningful.

If there’s one thing I want people to know about Zado, it’s that it was built with care. One event, one cup, one real conversation at a time.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting for the week, I’d want to give them a feel for Denver without overloading the schedule. I’m not a big planner. I like to take things as they come and just enjoy the moment.

Day 1 – Coffee + South Pearl
We’d start with coffee, always. Probably Middlestate or Queen City. Maybe swing by Little Owl Coffee inside the Populus Hotel if we’re feeling a downtown vibe. Then walk around South Pearl, check out a few shops, maybe find a patio and hang for a while.

Day 2 – Wash Park + Volleyball + Ice Cream
Spend the morning at Wash Park and get a few volleyball games going. Later we’d grab pizza from Tap and Dough on Gaylord and walk down to Bonnie Brae for ice cream. Cookie dough all day.

Day 3 – Golden + River Time
Drive out to Golden. Grab coffee from Humble House, walk the canyon trail, and hang out by the river. Dinner at Sherpa House is a must. Get the saag. If it’s warm out, we’d float the river or wade in for a bit.

Day 4 – Chill Day + Birria
Take it easy. Grab birria tacos from Los Socios and hang around Wash Park. Maybe have some friends over, throw a frisbee, sit on the porch, just keep it relaxed.

Day 5 – Mountains + Pickleball
Head up to Evergreen or Idaho Springs for a short hike. Saint Mary’s Glacier is always a solid pick. Stop for Beau Jo’s on the way back if we’re hungry. Later in the day, play some pickleball at Mir Park.

Day 6 – Breweries + Sunset
Start slow, then head over to Denver Beer Co on Downing. Maybe hit one other spot nearby, then catch the sunset at Sloan’s Lake or a lookout in the Highlands.

Day 7 – One Last Coffee + Wrap-Up
Start the day with coffee from Lekker or back to Middlestate. Walk through a market or swing by a vintage shop. For the last dinner, maybe Tavernetta or something easy that hits the spot.

Simple, fun, and flexible. Good coffee, good food, and time outside. That’s the kind of week I’d want to share.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are a lot of people who’ve helped me get here, but one person who really deserves a shoutout is my wife, Mary.

In the early days when I couldn’t afford to hire anyone, she would show up to some of the hardest events and jump in without hesitation. No barista experience, no training, just a willingness to help however she could. She’d take orders, talk to guests, and keep the energy up when I was barely holding it together.

Running a business comes with a lot of self-doubt. Even when you believe in what you’re building, it’s easy to get in your head. You start wondering if people actually care or if you’re just spinning your wheels. Mary has always been the one who keeps me grounded. She doesn’t try to fix it or give advice. She just shows up. And sometimes that’s exactly what I need.

She loves how much I care about this work. I think in a way, my passion fuels hers too. And knowing she’s with me in all of it makes a huge difference.

Website: https://www.zadocoffee.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zadocoffee/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zado-coffee-company

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Zado-Coffee-Company-100087401270756/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/zado-coffee-company-denver