241 : Founder Friday! w/ David Morris of Dillanos Coffee Roasters

Chris DeferioFounder Friday, Podcast

 

Today on Founder Friday we get to explore the Coffee Maverick himself, David Morris!

David J. Morris is Founder and Co-CEO of Dillanos Coffee Roasters, based in Sumner, Washington. Dillanos sells wholesale coffee and other supplies to specialty coffee retailers across the U.S. and several countries. He is a serial entrepreneur, leadership expert, and commercial real estate investor. David, along with his brother Chris Heyer, have several business interests in hotels, apartments, office buildings and various other business ventures. David is also the co-author of several books including The Rolling Desk.

Dillanos has been in business for 30 years and has become the iconic brand it is today from the humble beginning of a small coffee cart in Sumner, Washington. Dillanos Coffee Roasters is consistently roasting some of the best coffees in the world, and is well known for their motto, “Help people! Make Friends! Have Fun!”

In this conversation with David we are getting a detailed and candid look at the very beginnings and evolution of Dillanos’ three decades of operation. We the challenges, the secrets to their longevity, the lessons learned in relationships and business, and much more.

I hope you draw a lot of inspiration from today’s discussion.

Enjoy!

 

We cover: 

  • Early growth and challenges
  • Becoming only a roaster
  • Scaling the business
  • Knowing your strengths
  • Following the vision
  • The Evel Knievel connection
  • Hiring standards
  • Supporting + communicating w/ staff
  • Impact of COVID
  • Evolution their approach to coffee
  • Curating the message and communicating the right things.
  • Establishing customer expectations and delivering excellence
  • Biggest lessons from the past

Links:

www.dillanos.com

David on:

Instagram

Twitter

LinkedIn

 

Related episodes:

118 : Founder Friday w/ Phil & Sebastian Coffee Roasters founders, Phil Robertson and Sebastian Sztabzyb

081 : Founder Friday w/ David Schomer of Espresso Vivace

204 : Founder Friday w/ Jeff Taylor of PT’s Coffee Roasting Co. & Bird Rock Coffee!

232 : Founder Friday w/ Blew Kind of Fanny Lou’s Porch

 

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