The Blue Mug Story: How a Simple Cup of Coffee Inspired a Business

The Power of Perspective

There’s something magical about a fresh cup of coffee and a quiet view. For me, those moments transform the chaos in my mind into calm clarity. Whether you’re a professional, pastor, or parent, we all know what it feels like to be overwhelmed by competing thoughts. Over the years, I’ve discovered that these quiet coffee moments often lead to new ideas and fresh perspectives, helping me bring order to the chaos.

When I look back at photos from my travels, there’s almost always a coffee cup in the frame. Those mornings, spent reflecting and planning, have shaped my life and career. Many of my most important decisions started with a conversation between myself and the Lord over a steaming mug. That habit of using “coffee time” to reset and refocus became a cornerstone of my success.

The Birth of Blue Mug

One morning, I was wrestling with a challenge that many entrepreneurs face: naming my business. If you’ve ever tried to brand a company, you know it’s no easy task. I had narrowed down a list of 20 names to five strong contenders, complete with pitch decks and brand concepts. My wife, and extremely valued business partner, reviewed them all and responded with… overwhelming mediocrity.

Back to square one.

A few mornings later, I took a sip from my favorite coffee cup, and it hit me: these moments of clarity, these “sip and think” sessions, were exactly what I wanted to offer business and ministry leaders. My mission was clear, to help business and ministry leaders find order in the chaos of daily operations and strategic planning. And so, Blue Mug Business Consultants was born.

Why the Blue Mug?

Now, my very, most-favorite-of-all-time, loved cup originates from a restaurant at a family vacation spot in Destin, Florida. The Donut Hole Restaurant offers many delectable delights, not the least of which is a great cup of coffee in classic diner style mugs. I happen to be particular about my coffee cups, and this cup hit all the right notes. Curved lip, solid handle, weighty but not too heavy, thick enough to keep coffee warm, and it was even in my favorite shade of deep navy blue. Naturally, I had to buy it.

"There is never a challenge or problem that cannot be overcome... Often, all that is required is a reset in perspective and outside of the box thinking."

Today, the white lettering of The Donut Hole logo is starting to show some age, but it is still my go-to mug. Especially if I am having a particularly challenging morning with my thoughts. No matter the challenges brought on by the new day or even those left lingering from the days and weeks before, that first sip of freshly brewed coffee is a physical, mental, and emotional trigger that forces me to reset my perspective. There is never a challenge or problem that cannot be overcome. Everything WILL work out, and a path forward can be forged through any situation. Often, all that is required is a reset in perspective and outside of the box thinking.

What We Do

At Blue Mug, we help business and ministry leaders achieve that same clarity. With over 20 years of experience in Human Resource Management and Business Strategy, we partner with you to navigate complex challenges and build systems that work.

We offer best practices as a foundation, but where we excel is in partnering with you to work through complex issues and strategies over time. Whether you are a large organization wanting to invest in an employee engagement strategy or an entrepreneur who recently realized they need some help establishing standard

processes and procedures, Blue Mug can help.

Why We Do It

We exist to help leaders build organizational systems that apply human capital effectively and foster environments where great ideas are born and implemented. Leading people is complex, but with the right systems, you can unlock exceptional talent and achieve your full potential.

Ready to Reset Your Perspective?

Let’s start a conversation. Contact us today for a free consultation and discover how Blue Mug can help bring clarity to your business or ministry.

And yes, questions about The Donut Hole’s legendary breakfasts and pies are welcome too!

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Always Remember: People are your most valuable business resource.