Today I’m speaking with DaNay Tossey, founder and owner of Cornerstone Coffee in McBain Michigan. McBain is a farm town and home to around 1000 people. It’s a place that’s been hit in recent years with its share of financial insecurity and hardship. It’s also super close-knit and boasts the kind of community support that bigger cities are always trying to recreate. As DaNay tells her story, it’s clear that her dedication to providing a service to her community has always been top of mind. A full shop, friendly faces at the drive-through, people being creative within her space, all these things add to DaNay’s sense of purpose and her drive as a business owner.

We talk about leading strong teams and why it stings a teeny, tiny bit when you realize that your clients start to like your staff a little bit more than they like you. We talk about real success and why it doesn’t always show up the way we think it will. DaNay shares how she manages being the mom of six and why her ability to juggle has a lot to do with her ability to go with the flow. We talk about cultivating real relationships with clients, finding “balance” in our personal lives and why we should never be afraid of copycats.

This conversation was a joy to record. I was laughing the whole time and also felt really inspired by this brick and mortar in a tiny town in Michigan. People are doing amazing things all over and I’m so happy to be bringing you this conversation with DaNay. Enjoy.