Meet Eric Hadley | CEO & Founder of Got Your Six Coffee Co

We had the good fortune of connecting with Eric Hadley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Eric, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
If you would have asked me this question 10 years ago the answer would have been completely different from what I am about to share now and there have been a series of events that have lead me on the journey to where I am now.

Years ago it was all about work, success, travel and a sense of purpose or a duty to serve. Years ago it was about operations and keeping the system running if you will because it served a greater purpose with supporting armed forces afloat. Yah see, in my previous career I worked as an engineering officer for Military Sealift Command where we did logistical support for the United States Navy and armed forces afloat. EVERYTHING was mission critical and I let that rule my life. I was the type of guy that went to work for 10-14 months at a time before returning home and I did that for almost 13 years straight. While there were many great things that I got to experience during that time, looking back on that now I think I might have done things a little bit differently.

Today, while I am still an imperfect human, I at least strive to put my perspectives into play. I try to lead my household and my business with the mindset that God comes first in all that I do, then my wife, then my children which is then followed by everything else. This can be hard at times but its important to me and I am making it a point to implement that into my life (at least I am trying to) every day.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Got Your Six Coffee Co was founded on the idea that coffee is a tool. It is a necessity that allows us to manage through the highs and lows of the day. A lot of people would really struggle throughout the day without coffee!

“Forged through adversity, driven by purpose, service to those who serve” – This is what GY6CC was founded on. Through an adverse time Got Your Six Coffee Co was born. We have a purpose and that is to serve our country and to make it a better place. We are on a mission to use the power of coffee to brew better days for this country.

What sets us apart from others is our mission. We are not one of those companies that rakes in millions of dollars only to give 2% so that we can check a box and say that they have done something. We are different. With us we are on a mission to do so much more. For 5 years now we have been proving that mission. We have been ensuring that those who serve know that they are appreciated, we have been commemorating the lives of fallen heroes, we have helped those who serve recover from surgeries, we have been building tiny homes for homeless vets, we have been helping families who dealing with financial struggles to burry their fallen, we have been supporting first responders with extra, high caliber training that they can use to better serve their communities, we have inspired and helped individuals get back on track for success so that they can accomplish their goals, we have given back to those who serve and brought smiles to their faces… the list goes on.

This journey has not been an easy one. As a matter of fact this has probably been one of the most challenging things I have ever done, but it has also been the most rewarding thing I have ever done. During a time when there is a lot of skepticism I want people to know that we have your back. Not only are you going to get an amazing, freshly roasted, award winning cup of coffee, but you are also becoming a part of the team that is brewing better days. You are becoming a difference maker.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
A week long trip with my best friend… WOW!!! I can tell you already that this would be one of the most EPIC adventures ever. It’s funny because another one of our hashtags is #CoffeeFuelsAdventure.

If you think about that, as a coffee drinker, you do nothing without coffee… There are even quotes and memes that support that by saying ‘But First, Coffee’

I can see it now!! The windows down, the wind blowing through the cab as we jam songs like “Road Trippin” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers or the “Joker” by the Steve Miller Band. With each passing mile the goal being to breathe in and experience life. To see amazing mountain top views, to catch the morning sunrise with a hot cup of coffee, to enjoy fellowship around a camp fire at night as we partake in an incredibly overland journey. We would be eating steaks over the grill at night with burgers from local home town mom and pop style resturants during the day. Miles upon miles filled with everything from ribbing, joking, to bullshitting and rememberance of adventures past. I could see us checking out things like Pikes Peak, Mount Rushmore, the Red Wood Trees in California. I can see us seeking out the fastest go-kart track in the US so that we can settle old bets. I can see us, axe throwing, deep sea fishing in Florida and taking the Polar Bear Plunge up in Maine.

I have been blessed to have some amazing people in my life and Gary has been one of them. Oh the stories our grandchildren will hear!!! LOL

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
To us ‘coffee is community’! One of my favorite quotes comes from Chief Tecumseh who once said that “a single twig will break but a bundle of twigs is strong.” These two things pretty much make up the fabric of Got Your Six Coffee Co. It would be impossible for me to narrow it down to just one person. There have been so many amazing people who have shed light on the path during our journey. Everyone from my wife who has been my biggest supporter. She allows me the opportunity to walk the entrepreneurial path while I figure it out and engineer solutions. Family and friends who have been there for support, guidance and wisdom. Our supporters who interact with us on social media and purchase from us online. Last but not least, God. There have been so many God moments, miracles and moments that have put us where we are today. Because of them and because of you we are able to make this happen. It’s about coffee, but then again its not about coffee, its about so much more. Its about how together we are brewing better days for this country.

Website: www.gotyoursixcoffee.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/gotyoursixcoffee

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/16256212

Facebook: www.facebook.com/gotyoursixcoffee

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/GotYourSixCoffee

Other: We also have: TicTok: @gotyoursixcoffeeco