Since it’s my company I guess it’s fair for me to write the introductory blog post! This one is about who we are, how we came to be and, what we think is important.
Fair warning, you’ll see some of what I slap on paper here on our “About Us” page!
We want this place to serve this community. We want it to be special. We want people to smile fondly when they think of us as they consider where to get a great cup of coffee, breakfast, or lunch. And we want them to grin with delight as they come through the door and hang out with us, over and over.
Of course, part of our ability to accomplish that is connected to having a spectacular product. Where coffee is grown directly affects the flavor and quality of the coffee bean. How coffee is grown profoundly impacts the farmers, regions, and environment. Our coffee is selected, sourced, and roasted to deliver unique flavor notes that are the best in the free world… at least to hear me tell it. The way we have chosen to truly value sustainability, environmental and political factors, along with “fairness” to the farmers who get this process started is just another way in which we execute our mission. More about our mission in a bit.
We have our coffee roasted to our exacting specifications by a specialty roaster in the hills of Tennessee. We call them our, “happy hippies.” Maybe they’re so happy because we pay quite a premium to use them, I’m not sure. I am sure, however, that you and all of our guests are worth it. I believe you’ll love our coffee. Come see… if you don’t love it, I’ll buy it!
Our food is spectacular, as well. From “Myra’s Magical Sugar Cookies,” to the “Spicy Shelley” panini sandwich; from the “Tiffany’s I’m Nuts Latte” to “The B’s Breakfast Bowl,” our food is delicious. You won’t find it elsewhere. How do I know? Well, unless you hired Myra’s granddaughter, Tiffany, as your Operating Partner, you don’t have Myra’s recipes. I do, though, ‘cause I did!
The next part of our ability to have our guests grin with delight when they walk through our door is the “experience” we can successfully and consistently create… simply put, it’s how we treat them. True service is a dying art—but, it isn’t dead here at Leader’s Corner. If our guests want it, we’ll find a way to get it. If we have a rule that we can figure out a way to bend or break to help a guest out, I’d love a chance to do it. In fact, I think that’s almost as much fun as screaming through the backwoods, dragging knee pads on the twisties of the “Tail of the Dragon” on my Harley. Well… it’s a bit tough to drag knee pads, but I can send a shower of sparks 20 feet from the foot rests!
Want to meet here outside of normal business hours? We’ll work it out. Want to use our restrooms, jack our internet, bring your own food in, or hang out without buying anything? Just come on in and enjoy! If your kids are loud, bring ‘em! We can handle, “loud.” Remember… I ride a Harley. We’ve got a place set up for the kids, too… “Little Leaders’ Corner.” If all else fails, you can always bribe them with our crazy-good-frothed-milk-whipped-cream-and-chocolate-drizzle hot chocolate. Works every time. Just remember to take ‘em with you when you go, please. The Department of Labor won’t let me put them to work until they’re 14.
My wife has been my sweetheart since we met in High School. Figuring out the direction that aligns with what God wants of us has been our life’s work for a long time now. Decades. That pursuit has resulted in the development of our personal mission statement which has evolved and been refined continuously just under four decades. Today, to the extent possible, it encompasses everything God has blessed us to steward. It’s the one you can see on the rock out front and, as I mentioned, it’s mine personally, my wife’s, ours for my three sons, their wives and our 12 grandkids, ours for Leaders’ Corner, ours for our other businesses, and ours for the little church that meets here on Sundays.
“We care for people,
investing our lives into theirs
for a return that pleases God.”
Our name, “Leaders’ Corner” does a couple of things and we selected it for that reason. First, it pays respect to and acknowledges the history of Columbiana and this building in particular. It’s also a nod to genuine craftsmanship of men with gnarled hands, salty mouths and real skill. My own brother-in-law, well known and aptly identified by his biker name “Attitude,” is one of those. He’s also the guy who completed or oversaw the entire renovation project. When you stop in, you may catch Attitude—Joe to his mama—doing some repairs or hanging out with me. Let’s hope he took his medicine.
When you walk in, most of the floors you’re standing on, the ceiling over your head and the big brick wall to your right were crafted before the Civil War. Most of the tables you sit at were hand-milled and rough-finished by a gentleman farmer friend of mine from Marshall County Mississippi.
Most importantly, our name reflects that mission statement I’ve mentioned above a couple of times.
Here’s how. John Maxwell, one of the most recognized and celebrated leadership figures worldwide, defines leadership as one simple word: “influence.” I agree, although, Mr. Maxwell probably isn’t impressed. The fact remains, though, that when we execute our mission properly, we’re facilitating, encouraging, and celebrating the development of individuals to influence our world “…for a return that pleases God.”
We’ve got the best job in the world!
Bob Kuehner
Chief Servant & Storyteller
Leaders’ Corner Coffee & Tea