We had the good fortune of connecting with Eddie Tice, owner of Mad Love Coffee,  and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Eddie, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?

The thought process was about answering a few simple questions; What am I passionate about and how can I turn that passion into something that gives back/serve our community here in Colorado Springs and the Front Range (especially those serving on the Front Lines such as our military, police, firefighters, EMS, healthcare workers, teachers etc..). The other critical part of the process was involving my family/children in building this business and having their input every step of the way. The answer was creating ‘Mad Love Coffee’, a mobile coffee biz in a renovated horse trailer. The coined term ‘mad love’ expresses a crazy tenacious love or passion for someone or something..so in our case it’s all about delivering great tasting coffee beverages/baked goods, providing awesome customer service, and going above/beyond in giving back to our vibrant community and the causes that are near/dear to us. And for us it’s about having fun…you really can’t miss us with our trailer painted an evocative red, think of it as a red beacon of hope for those needing their espresso shots to get their days/nights going!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?                 

Professionally it’s always been a life of service. I’m very proud I had the opportunity to serve in two branches of our military, the Naval Submarine Force and U.S. Air Force. It was my late father (Air Force Veteran) who inspired me to join and serve our country. The camaraderie, the training, the deployments, the sense of purpose and mission, and the diversity of people you meet along the way, it all meshed together to form a truly great experience. Of course the military life posed challenges along the way, but the work ethic, persistence and tenacity you develop helps push you through. These same traits are what makes veterans ‘go-getters’ in whatever endeavor they pursue and led me to start my own business. Currently I still work part-time as a Nurse Case Manager at a great organization, the Children’s Hospital in Colorado Springs. Two of my children have serious life long health issues so I know first-hand the wonderful care we’ve received there over the years and truly enjoy the privilege in working with a great team in giving back and helping other families.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?                                                                              Where to start….so many terrific places here in CO Springs and our surrounding towns. Without any particular order and squeezing this in a week, everything starts with coffee! ….Bit bias for Mad Love Coffee of course, but have to cover Peak Place/Hold Fast Coffee Co, Frankly Coffee, R&R Coffee House, Perfectly Elevated Cafe’ and Loyal Coffee…And while we’re driving around, can’t forget about the other great mobile coffee businesses out here such as Campfire Coffee, Wheel Coffee, Sleepy Turtle Coffee Co, Sway Trailer, Huevones, and Legacy. For Eats, gotta go with Piglatin Cocina, Rabbit Hole, Skirted Heifer, Black Forest Cafe/Deli, Taste of Life, Coffee Cup Cafe’, Ramen Chops Noodle Bar and Speedtrap Bistro (Palmer Lake)….Drinks: Can’t go wrong with any of our fine/relaxing drinking establishments such as Pikes Peak Brewing/Lager House, Red Leg, Lost Friends Brewing, Ice Cave Cider House, 3 Hundred Days of Shine, Lee Spirits, Abby’s Irish Pub and finally Brass Taps where you can sample an assortment of local beers. For the outdoors, many hiking trails of course, but need to head out to Garden of the Gods to see its beauty, hike up the Manitou Incline or take the Cog Railway up to the Summit of Pikes Peak Mountain and take in the views. For people watching or shopping, has to be Manitou Springs, Downtown Co Springs on Tejon Street or Old Colorado City. Hmmm, may need 2 weeks for all of this!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

The Shout Out list is long and ever-growing. Of course I need to do an extra shout to my family/extended family for their love and support (plus patience!!) And sending many thanks and ‘mad love’ to the following awesome people/small businesses;

1. Vinnie Snyder, General Manager at Peak Place and Hold Fast Coffee Co (Where we source our beans..yum). Vinnie took a lot of time to work with me on the training side of making quality espresso. What’s great is how much he cares and roots for your success. Their entire team and coffee are amazing.

2. Ryan Wanner, Owner/Roaster at R&R Coffee Cafe in Black Forest (also worked with me in learning the coffee biz). Great dude, staff and cafe’

3. Donna Poelstra and Annie Myers at Taste of Life in Monument (Great tasting Baked Goods). They create some wonderful tasting recipes/prepared meals etc..

4. Krysta and Vance at Congruent Services, superstars in servicing coffee equipment/maintenance. I purchased my new La Marzocco GS3 Espresso machine from them as well.

5. Madeleine Costa, Mikaela Powilleit and rest of the team at Succeeding Small, everything you need for website design, SEO, digital marketing etc…Top Notch all around!

6. Ali Taylor, extraordinary graphic designer for my coffee illustrations and menu for my trailer. Plz check her out at alismithtaylor.com.

7. Lindsie Blair @ everydaysummit.etsy.com, artist/designer of our Mad Love Coffee Logo.

8. Pat and Kerri at Colorado Caravan, renovation/restoration experts for trailers/caravans etc…. Creative experts who enhanced our coffee trailer both inside and out. Wow!

9. Ryan’s Small Engine Repair in Monument. Works magic on generators (vital to the mobile biz life!). Plus Tanglewood Trailers in Palmer Lake for any repairs needed.

Website: www.madlovecoffee.com

Instagram: madlovecoffee

Other: Email: madlovecoffeeco@gmail.com

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.