Sam is ready to quit. 2 years in. Nothing to show for it.

People around him are succeeding faster. He questions everything.

His energy is gone. Even after a full night of sleep.

His morning thoughts start with:

“I don’t know if I should keep going or if I’m just wasting my time.”

And then…

“I’ll give it one more _____ (day, week, month).”

I admit I’ve felt like Sam a time or two in my life.

What if your coworker is more talented?

And you only have grit. Who will win?

Psychologist Angela Duckworth used science to figure it out.

Her studies showed that grit is better than IQ, talent, or socioeconomic background.

She wrote a book Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance.

It looks like this.

These are 3 mistakes people make regarding perseverance.

1. Use how you “feel” to measure progress instead of movement. [Wrong]

2. Compare your behind-the-scenes to someone’s highlight reel. [Wrong]

3. Treat perseverance like a personality trait (“I’m not that disciplined “) instead of a daily decision. [Wrong]

Don’t do these.

Here’s a solution.

I got it from the book The Gap and The Gain, and it changed my life.

Instead of looking at how far you have to go. Look back at how far you’ve come.

A farmer watered the dirt for 4 years straight.

He watered the dirt for 4 years straight.

• Year 1 — nothing.

• Year 2 — nothing.

• Year 3 — nothing.

• Year 4 — still nothing, just dirt.

But in year 5?

A Chinese Bamboo Tree grew 80 feet from a seed in six weeks.

It wasn’t doing nothing for four years.

It was building a root system strong enough to support what was coming.

You work the same way.

• That certification no one noticed? Roots.

• The project that flopped? Roots.

• The mornings you showed up when no one was watching? Roots.

Stop measuring your growth by what’s above the surface.

You’re not behind.

You’re building roots.

And your fifth year is coming.

See you in the next one!

-Lance

Strong People = Strong Teams. Use my Team Builder Pro system.

Two people sit down at a restaurant, Denise and Doris. They both order the same meal. Denise expects the food to arrive in five minutes. Doris expects the food to arrive in twenty‑five minutes. The meal arrives in fifteen minutes. Denise is annoyed, and Doris is happy. Nothing about the meal was different. The service was the same. The food was the same. The only thing that changed was the expectation.

This is an important lesson about life. Many times, frustration does not come from what happened. Frustration comes from what we EXPECTED to happen.

Internal expectations are about how your brain predicts reality.

Your internal expectations shape your motivation, disappointment, confidence, and stress.

Two people can experience the same outcome and feel completely different, depending on the expectations they set beforehand.

Our expectations act like a picture in our minds. We imagine how something should go. We imagine how fast it should happen. We imagine how people should behave.

When reality does not match the picture we imagined, we feel stress.

That is why…. learning to manage our expectations is such an important life skill.

There are three common mistakes people make with their expectations.

The first mistake is expecting speed.

People expect progress to happen quickly. They expect to learn a skill fast. They expect a new job to feel easy right away. They expect a business idea to take off quickly. But most progress takes longer than we think. Skills take years to build. Trust takes time to grow…and big goals take steady persistence over a long period of time. When we expect things to happen fast, normal progress can sometimes feel like failure.

The second mistake people make is expecting smooth progress.

People imagine success like a straight line that moves up every day, but real life rarely works that way. Progress usually looks chaotic because we move forward…then we hit a setback. Then we learn something new, and then we move forward again. This is life. This is my life. Every successful person will tell you the messy middle is normal. Unfortunately, normal problems feel like signs that something is wrong when we expect the journey to be smooth.

The third mistake is expecting people to think like we do.

Oftentimes, we assume others should work the way we work. We assume they should communicate the way we communicate. We assume they should care about the same things we care about. But every person has a different background and a different set of priorities.

So, if those are the common mistakes, how can we manage our expectations better?

I have three helpful habits for you.

The first habit is to slow down and ask better questions. Before starting something, ask yourself... What does success look like? How long might this really take? And what problems might appear along the way? This helps you build a more realistic picture.

The second habit is to stretch your timeline. A helpful rule is this….Most meaningful things take two or three times longer than you first expect.

“Most people overestimate what they can do in one year and underestimate what they can do in ten years.”

When you plan with that in mind, you become more patient and less stressed.

The third habit is to expect challenges. Problems are part of the process, and they do not mean you are failing. Every project and relationship includes confusion, mistakes, and adjustments. That is how learning works.

There is so much more to talk about on this subject, but I’ll stop there.

See you in the next one!

-Lance

Strong employees = strong teams. Use my Team Builder Pro system.

Every week for nearly 3 years, at a building in the back of St. John’s Lutheran Church, you can find Nick Kavalauskas leading a group of business leaders through a Coffee with Champions discussion.

Pull into the parking lot on Wednesdays a little before 8 am, and you usually find about 15-20 cars outside. And when you go inside, you’ll have fresh coffee waiting for you and a group of friendly, outgoing people who are interested in learning and growing together, both professionally and personally.

This team of Champions is always going above and beyond for each other and their community.

This is why they are our most recent “Force for Good” team winner.

What does this Wednesday group think about Nick and their local chamber group?

 “I think the camaraderie is what makes them special, that they’re very supportive. They become your friends.” -Susan E.

“ A big part is Nick Kavalauskas. He is what makes it amazing: the programs they offer for everybody and the energy within the chamber. It’s just that there’s a synergy there.”- Susan P.

 “I would say that the biggest takeaway for me is that we have a bunch of people who work together. To try and help each other get better. And if you have that in a community, it really helps. And the more of those that we get together, the more we can produce it in the community. - Paul F.

“Since I joined the Chamber, I actually feel like I’m part of the community, and even though I don’t live directly in Vandalia, it feels like I’ve got neighbors. I’ve got people that I work with, so it’s awesome. This is the first time I feel like I’m part of the community.” - David A.

A Conversation With Nick Kavalauskas

I recently had a chance to sit down and talk with Nick Kavalauskas, the always-moving President & CEO of the Vandalia-Butler Chamber of Commerce. I wanted to learn a little more about the chamber and its Coffee with Champions team.

Nick, Tell Us About Your Organization

“We have been serving the Vandalia-Butler community since 1947…. almost 80 years! A fun fact is that Butler Township was the 1^st Township in America to have a Chamber of Commerce.

We offer a wide range of benefits designed to help local businesses grow, save money, and stay connected within the community. We host over 150 networking events throughout the year (weekly, monthly, and annual events, partnered with the City, Township, and School District).

From a cost and time saving benefit perspective, we are grouped together with over 200+ chambers in the state of Ohio (Southern Ohio Chamber Alliance – SOCA) to bring incredible cost saving benefits such as medical insurance plans, workers’ compensation savings, chamber energy program gas/electric/solar, payroll, credit card processing, and more.

What are you most proud of about your Chamber?

“That’s a tough one because there are so many things, hard to narrow down. 80 years is something special, given all the challenges/opportunities/changes that have happened in the World since 1947.

Ultimately, though, it comes down to how much this community embraces what we do year after year. The support and collaboration between membership, the city, township, schools, the board, and the financial backing of our incredible partner sponsors make this a very special organization to be affiliated with.

This simply does not happen in most places.

How long has your Chamber been a part of the Coffee with Champions program?

“We will hit 3 years on August 26^th. The only regret is that we didn’t start sooner.

(Above video - The group doing their best impression of Lance’s weekly video introduction.)

Who usually facilitates your group?

“I typically run most of them, but it’s also a good idea to sub out a few times. Sometimes I will just move over and be a participant, but normally I’m out taking care of something else.

Also helping out is

• Ron Shumaker – owner of Coach Shu Inc.

• John Wheeler – owner of Digital Cowboy Computer Services

What makes your group special?

“This group is incredible!

They bring the energy and diverse perspectives every single Wednesday morning. The age range is full scale, 18-65+. Multiple nationalities and all sizes of business.

Their willingness to participate, share real-life experiences, and support or agree to disagree with one another is fascinating to listen to every week.

I couldn’t ask for a better group, and I’m thankful they come back consistently. We average anywhere from 15 to 20 people a week.

Nick, what are you most proud of about your Coffee with Champions group?

1. I’m grateful for the financial support from Abbey Credit Union – presenting sponsor. This keeps it free and open to the public for us. We ultimately would love for businesses to join our Chamber if they are not members, but it’s not required for our group.

2. I am most proud of the character and how supportive this group is of one another in both business and personal situations. I think I speak for everyone, saying friendships have been made and grown stronger from the connections made every week. This group and program have injected new energy into our Chamber’s programming and networking.

How does someone attend a CwC meeting?

They meet every Wednesday from 8:00 to 8:59 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church.

It is open to anyone and everyone. Sign-up is not required.

Go check them out!

A huge thank you to the Vandalia-Butler Chamber of Commerce CwC team for being a “Force for Good”! We appreciate you!

- Lance & Jessica Miller

Founders - Coffee with Champions

Learn More About Coffee with Champions

Ever have these thoughts go through your head when thinking about having a hard conversation?

“They won’t listen.”

“They’ll just get defensive.”

Or “this will backfire on me.”

It could be at work, where maybe your coworker keeps leaving early, and you’re stuck picking up the slack. Or maybe it’s at home, where the credit card balance keeps creeping up, and it’s stressing you out because it’s on you to pay it off.

You rehearse the conversation in your head a hundred times. You imagine the words you are going to say.

Then you predict their reaction…and then ultimately, for a good portion of us, we land on “not today”. And we kick that can down the road.

Every one of us deals with opportunities for hard conversations.

And most of us avoid them for 5 common reasons.

1. Fear of making it worse. You think speaking up will only stir the pot.

2. Doubt they’ll listen. You’ve tried before, and nothing has changed.

3. Worry you’ll mess it up. You don’t want to sound too harsh or too soft.

4. Fear of fallout. You don’t know what will happen next, and that unforeseen future keeps you quiet.

5. Taught to stay silent. Somewhere back in time, you learned that honesty equals disrespect, so you just shut your mouth and go with the flow.

Avoiding the conversation can feel safer in the moment. But your silence can come back to bite you.

You may find yourself being

• sarcastic

• giving short answers, or

• being resentful towards the person.

The conversations that no one wants to have usually cause the most damage when they’re not had.

So… how do you get better at this?

I have five practical tips that you can use.

1. Pick the right time and place. Don’t bring it up when emotions are high or time is short. Don’t do it in front of others in the break room or at a family gathering. You know, privacy and timing matter way more than people think.

2. Lead with curiosity. Go in like there’s something you don’t know. You never know what’s going on in the other person’s life, or maybe they never thought about it as you did.

3. Start with facts. Stick to what you’ve seen or heard, but not what you think it means. People are more open when you describe the facts of the situation and not assumptions.

4. Own your part. If you’ve waited too long or added to the tension of the situation, say that. It builds trust when you’re not just pointing fingers at the other person.

5. Focus on what’s next. Don’t just talk about the problem. End with what needs to change, and what both of you can do going forward.

Don’t expect these conversations to be perfect. They won’t be.

And don’t expect to be fearless initially. Just take a small step and have the first one. Get it out of the way.

With practice, you will no longer be intimidated by difficult conversations.

Here’s the summary.

You got this!

-Lance

Want to help your team build confidence and take stronger action?

Every year, we talk with a lot of companies about culture. Most are genuinely trying to get it right. The challenge is translating good intentions into something that consistently shows up day to day. When we sat down with team members and leadership at Ernst Concrete, what stood out immediately was consistency. Different people, different roles, but the same themes.

Ernst Concrete is a fourth-generation, family-owned, 1000+ employee company that began in 1946. What started with aggregates grew into concrete operations across multiple locations and states, supported by a wide range of roles, including drivers, plant teams, dispatch, sales, safety, payroll, and leadership. The work is demanding, schedule-driven, and operationally complex. That context matters because the culture described in this room exists under real pressure, not in theory.

That consistency is why Ernst Concrete was nominated and recognized as our latest “Force for Good” team winner. Not because of a single program or initiative, but because of how people described being treated, how decisions get made, and how the company shows up when things are hard.

What We Learned Sitting in a Room at Ernst Concrete

Jessica and I didn’t walk into Ernst Concrete trying to extract best practices. We weren’t looking for a playbook. We were asking open questions and listening. What stood out wasn’t one big idea. It was how often the same themes came up from different people, in different roles, without any coordination.

Here are seven things we heard repeatedly as we sat with the team.

1. Leadership shows up in the work, not just the meetings

More than one person shared stories where leadership stepped into the middle of the job, especially when things were hard. Not to make a point. Just to help.

One team member described a high-pressure project this way:

“We were doing a pour that one of our competitors got kicked off of. We took it over and had 56 straight hours pouring a bridge deck, and so we’re trying to pull 2 shifts, and John and one of Collin’s brothers (owners of Ernst Concrete) came down, and they tested concrete and threw ice in the trucks and ran the loader and just did regular stuff. And if you didn’t know who they were, they were just another employee. But that’s the kind of attitude everyone has. There’s no ‘that’s not my job’. It’s you do what you have to do. Get the job done and everybody’s on the same level.”

Another person chimed in, “You’ll see them (Ernst owners) at 2:00 am in the morning at plants...even through the growth that they’ve gone through.”

Titles don’t matter to the leaders of Ernst. Over time, that kind of behavior quietly resets how people see hierarchy.

2. How Ernst handles growth without losing people

When Ernst buys another company and brings it into the organization, the employees at that company are often nervous. They wonder if their jobs are safe, if new leaders will change everything, or if they’ll still feel like they belong. Several people talked openly about how tense those moments can be.

One long-time employee said, “We go into plants, and they’re scared to death because they don’t know if they have a job or not.” What stood out was what came next. “And then you talk to those people a month later, like, ‘oh my God, that’s the best thing that happened to us.’”

Another person added, “It’s like you just adopted people and they just come into the family.”

3. Work is planned around people, not the other way around

Several people talked about how Ernst decides which jobs to take on and how those jobs affect real lives.

One long-time employee explained that at Ernst, decisions are not made by looking at dollars first. They start by asking how the work will impact the people doing it.

“They’ll never sacrifice their people for a certain job,” he said. “When we look at work to take on, the people part comes up first. They don’t look at what we’re going to get out of it financially. They look at what it means for our people.”

He went on to explain how different that felt compared to other companies he had worked for, where long hours were simply expected.

“At other places, 70, 75, 80 hours a week was just normal,” he said. “Here, if it’s going to be a nighttime job, the first question is, ‘What does this mean for our people?’”

When a job will change schedules or lifestyles for weeks or even months, leaders talk about it openly.

“If it’s going to change their lifestyle or schedule for three weeks, a month, maybe even six months, we tell them up front so they can adjust,” he said. “The more informed you get, the more respect you get back.”

He summed it up simply: “It’s people first. You don’t get that everywhere.”

4. Ernst prioritizes cultural fit, not just skill

Not every role requires the same hiring process, but when Ernst is deciding who to bring into the organization, cultural fit matters.

One newer team member shared an example of how that showed up during their interview experience.

“They took me out to eat,” he said. “They wanted to get me outside of that stiff, formal setting. The point wasn’t just to talk about the job. It was to get to know the person.”

He explained that the goal was mutual fit. “If you’re going to be working with someone that many hours a week, you want to make sure you can get along and that they’re a good person.”

What stood out to him was how intentional that felt. “Whether I got the job or not, that went a long way,” he said. “It showed they care about fit, not just skill. That’s a family-owned, family-oriented company.”

5. Asking for help is normal here because they give it.

Support wasn’t described as an exception. It was described as expected.

One employee proudly boasted, “If you ask for help, you can get it. I mean, there’s nothing here that you can’t ask for that they won’t bend over backwards for employees when it comes right down to it.”

Others shared stories of support during personal challenges, not just work ones.

6. Long-term thinking guides real decisions

Collin Ernst, the 4th-generation Ernst leader, described a guiding mindset that shapes how decisions get made, summing up a recently adopted vision framework that said, “The company shall continue forever.”

He explained that this mindset shows up most clearly when leaders are forced to choose between short-term savings and long-term health. In a recent benefits meeting, the conversation wasn’t about cutting costs as aggressively as possible. It was about balance.

Rather than asking how much money could be saved, Collin asked a different question: what if we could stay even and still make the benefits better for our people?

That same long-term lens applies to customers and operations. Collin explained that Ernst is willing to make decisions that might not look smart on a quarterly spreadsheet if they make sense over time.

“We’re making decisions that might not make financial sense today,” he said, “because you’re going to reap the benefits for a long time. The ROI period is a lot longer than the next quarterly shareholder meeting.

“We’re gonna make the right decisions for our customers, our employees, and all of our stakeholders, that are long-term decisions. So having a long-term vision helps us.”

The idea is simple but rare: optimize for durability, not just immediacy. When leaders say the company should continue forever, they are committing to decisions that protect employees, customers, and the business for the long haul, not just the next quarter.

7. A visible commitment to the community

One of the most tangible ways Ernst’s long-term mindset shows up is out in the community, often in ways you can literally see.

They have multi-colored concrete trucks that not only raise awareness for various causes, but they also raise money to support them. For every yard of concrete poured by one of their special trucks, they donate $1 to the cause it represents.

That visibility matters, but what stood out in the room was why Ernst does it.

One team member explained, “You have to understand, that’s where our employees live. You see the Ernst hats on the weekends. You see the culture spread outside of just this place.”

He shared that community involvement isn’t limited to one type of project. “Whether it’s helping with softball, baseball fields, or other local efforts, they never shy away from it.”

Where Coffee with Champions fits in

Near the end of the conversation, we asked the team what Coffee with Champions has added to their day-to-day work. The theme was consistent. It creates space to slow down, think differently, and understand each other better.

“I think it brings us closer in understanding each other,” one person shared.

Others emphasized the pause it creates. “Sometimes we’re so busy we don’t stop,” another said. “This makes us sit down, relax, and talk. It’s an enjoyable hour.”

Several people pointed to the questions themselves as the value. “The subjects and the questions are extremely thought-provoking,” one team member explained. “It gives you a chance to step back and look at yourself not just as an employee, but as a person.”

That approach has a practical impact. One leader described using Coffee with Champions outside the room to help a struggling team. “Instead of me telling them what to do, I brought the material and let them work through it together.”

Collin Ernst said, “The thought‑provoking questions and the topics just get open‑ended questions that bring people together, because we’re pretty siloed here. We’ve got payroll, sales, dispatch, safety, departments that wouldn’t really interact, but this gets everybody together cross‑functional.”

How can someone get in touch with Ernst Concrete?

Website: https://www.ernstconcrete.com

Headquarters: 993 Falls Creek Drive, Vandalia, OH 45377

937-233-5555

Closing

Being a Force for Good is about making a positive impact at your job, in your community, and in your family. There are many ways to live that out, and many different contexts where it shows up.

What we saw at Ernst Concrete is one clear example of what that can look like over time. Across four generations and nearly eight decades, the same priorities kept surfacing in conversation. People matter. Decisions are made with the long view in mind. Community involvement is tied directly to where employees live and where customers place their trust.

We appreciate the Ernst Concrete team for opening the door and allowing us to listen, ask questions, and see how those values are practiced day to day.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to speak candidly and share their experiences. We’re grateful for the opportunity to learn from you and to highlight the work you’ve been doing for a long time.

You all are a Force for Good!

-Lance Miller

Ernst Concrete uses the “Coffee with Champions” TEAM BUILDER PRO program. Learn more about it here. 👇

Learn More

When we choose a “Force for Good” Champion team, we’re looking for groups that are intentionally making a difference in their world, motivated by a deep sense of purpose and calling. They are not on this list by accident, but by hard work, determination, and integrity.

Nick Seitz and his team at Firefighter Safe are a “Force for Good” Champion team.

While researching this article, I came across a gift Nick’s team had given him earlier this year. It was a block of granite with his name engraved and words that they would use to describe him.

Some of them were…faithful, trustworthy, visionary, driven, leader, virtuous.

We knew right away that we definitely had the right group for this “Force for Good” award.

The Backstory

In 2010, longtime firefighter and paramedic Nick Seitz started his own company, Firefighter Safe. Even though Nick was passionate about saving lives and helping others, starting his own business took a huge leap of faith.

Now, 15 years later, that gamble has paid off. Firefighter Safe has grown from a one-man operation into a nationwide safety training company serving organizations across every industry.

Their elite team, made up of firefighters, paramedics, certified instructors, and rescue technicians, has trained thousands and prevented untold numbers of injuries.

I recently had a chance to ask Nick and Nancy Warner (Director of Administration) a little about the company, the team, and where they are going.

Here’s what they said.

(Responses have been edited slightly for clarity and space.)

Tell us about your organization and its mission.

“Firefighter Safe offers a wide range of safety services and trainings throughout the United States. We are comprised of safety professionals who have dedicated their lives to empowering others.

Our elite team delivers a wide variety of exceptional safety trainings and services for emergency prevention and emergency preparation.

Our goal is to create an atmosphere of safety by delivering engaging material while empowering others to react decisively in the event of an emergency.

Firefighter Safe provides professional safety training and rescue services. Our elite team consists of firefighter-paramedic certified instructors and rescue technicians with real-world experience.

We provide superior OSHA-compliant safety trainings and tailored services to fit your business needs.

We offer

• confined space standby and rescue services,

• confined space training,

• hazwoper training,

• fire extinguisher training,

• AED sales, service, and maintenance,

• CPR/AED/ first aid,

• advanced first aid training with 24/7 nationwide support.

Firefighter Safe offers Comprehensive Safety Solutions for every workplace.

Tell us about your team. What makes them special?

Our team has an immense passion for the mission of Firefighter Safe.

Our Firefighters, paramedics, first responders, rescue technicians, and instructors consist of high-caliber experts in their respective fields. They have extensive, on-the-job, real-world experience that shapes our superior training that goes beyond industry standards.

Our entire team of professionals and administrative staff always upholds the highest standards of integrity and care for others.

How long have you been serving the community?

Nick has been in the safety industry for 25 years. He has certifications in:

• NASP Licensed Safety Professional

• Firefighter/Paramedic

• State Of Ohio Fire Instructor

• State Of Ohio EMS Instructor

• Fire Inspector

• Fire Investigator

• Hazmat Technician with 15 years on the Dayton Regional Hazmat Team

• Ohio Region 3 Rescue Technician Member

• High Angle Rope Rescue Technician

• Swift Water Rescue Technician

• Ice Water Rescue Technician

• Lost Person Search Rescue Technician

• Confined Space Rescue Technician

• Trench Rescue Technician

• Heavy Vehicle Rescue Technician

Nick has served the Dayton Chamber of Commerce Safety Committee for 14 years and was the Chair for the Council for 2 of those years. He was a Board Member for Bridges of Hope at Simon Kenton for 4 years.

Nick is also a keynote speaker for many engagements, such as the BWC Safety Conference and conferences nationwide.

What separates your company culture from others in your industry?

Our team has a brotherhood that stems from their firehouse professional relationships.

Their level of experience allows them to evaluate any scenario because they are experts in the real-world safety protocols and procedures. They can think on their feet at a moment’s notice to pivot and address any safety issue while training.

Our entire team has uncompromising integrity and deep care for the safety of others.

Our team also takes care of one another, promoting a sense of family within the business.

What are the future goals of the company?

Our business and team continue to grow!

We train nationwide and have purchased a new building to continue to serve others with on-site training in the entire country.

How do you participate in Coffee with Champions, and what impact has it had on your team?

Our goal is to gather twice per month with as many team members as possible.

Our team has encountered many helpful, enlightening, and supportive topics to bring us closer as a team by understanding each person as an individual.

What advice would you give to another company thinking about joining Coffee with Champions?

Coffee with Champions is the best investment you can make, where your most important assets are people.

How can someone get in touch with Firefighter Safe?

https://firefightersafe.com/

440 Fame Rd, Dayton, OH 45449

855-433-7233

A huge thank you to Nick Seitz, Nancy Warner, and the team at Firefighter Safe for being a “Force for Good.” You all are amazing!

- Lance

Firefighter Safe uses the “Coffee with Champions” TEAM BUILDER PRO program. Learn more about it here. 👇

Learn More

In 2022, we reached out to Kathi Roetter, Executive Director at the Troy Area Chamber of Commerce, to see if she would be interested in trying out our weekly Coffee with Champions program.

She was immediately interested.

And that made us excited.

Now, it’s been almost 3 years and 150+ workshops later, and the Coffee with Champions group at the Troy Area Chamber of Commerce is stronger than it’s ever been.

Collectively, they have made a massive impact on their community, families, and workplaces.

And that is why we nominated them as our latest Force for Good champion team.

As a group, they are consistent, accepting, and relational. They know when to be fun and when to be serious.

We recently had the chance to catch up with Kathi to learn a little more about the group and what makes them so special.

INTERVIEW BEGINS

Tell us a little more about the Troy Chamber.

The mission of the TACC is to empower prosperity for Troy. We offer a range of services, benefit programs, and events to encourage business growth. The chamber was founded in 1939 and incorporated in 1957.

What are you most proud of about your Chamber?

How we support businesses of all sizes. We have seen growth in our organization, and I believe it is because of how we support, advocate for, and promote our members.

How long has your Chamber been a part of the Coffee with Champions program?

In November 2025, we will have offered the program for 3 years.

Who usually facilitates your group?

Kathi Roetter and Bill Lutz, with logistic assistance from Shelby Chaney.

What makes your group special?

We have a diverse group of business owners, non-profit leaders, and staff members representing sole entrepreneurs to large businesses. We have a good mix of people from all walks of life and all ages. We average 24 attendees each week.

What does your group say about why they keep coming back week after week?

(Here are actual comments from our attendees.)

“The energy in the room, it kicks off Thursday and carries me through the week.”

“It is a safe environment where we can share and have different opinions.”

“It is a comfortable environment that has provided me with connections personally and professionally.”

“It provides intellectual stimulation; each topic makes me think.”

“I’ve gotten to know people. The environment allows you to get to know, like, and trust people.”

“I miss it if I can’t attend.”

“We’ve created a community. This is my community.”

“I always leave with a smile.”

What are you most proud of about your Coffee with Champions group?

We’ve created a safe space where we can laugh, cry, and grow together. It is a space where all are welcome.

How does someone attend a CwC meeting?

We meet every Thursday from 8:00 to 8:59 a.m. at We Love Birthday Parties.

It is open to anyone and everyone. Sign-up is not required.

It’s free to attend the first couple of times, and then you need to become a Chamber member.

Come check us out!

A huge thank you to the Troy Area Chamber of Commerce CwC team for being a “Force for Good”!

- Lance & Jessica

Learn More About Our Programs

What’s Your Take?

1. What is the “good life”?

2. And it is more about contentment or achievement?

3. And finally, can you have it all?

Here’s My Opinion

#1 - What is the “good life”?

The good life is knowing who you are. Knowing what you are called to do. And doing it. And experiencing positive results from it. (It’s a journey.)

This works in every area. Spouse. Parent. Friend. Employee. Boss. Health. Finances. Faith.

#2 - Is it more about contentment or achievement?

Both. You have to find the balance. For me I try to find both daily.

#3 - Can you have it all?

I’m optimistic and I want to say yes, but I’m still trying to figure this out.

Make an impact. Ask someone one of these 3 questions today.

1. What is the “good life”?

2. And it is more about contentment or achievement?

3. And finally, can you have it all?

Be a Force for Good.

Lance Miller

CEO | Co-founder of Coffee with Champions

PS. Help your people grow personally and professionally.

This workshop is part of our comprehensive curriculum. Click on the pic 👇 to learn more.

You and I have something in common. We have strong authority.

Say what!?

Yes. No matter what your job title is, you have strong authority.

You have incredible power (even when you don’t think so).

Let me explain.

This power comes from your spoken words.

Seriously. Let’s test it out.

Read these statements below out loud to yourself. (You may want to close the door, lest people think you’ve lost it.)

1. You’ll never succeed.

2. You’re not good enough.

3. Nobody really cares about what you think.

4. You always mess things up.

5. You don’t have what it takes.

6. You’ll never change.

7. You’re too weak to handle this.

8. People are disappointed in you.

9. You’re a failure waiting to happen.

10. Why even try? You’ll just quit.

Whoa, how do you feel after that experience?

What would your employees feel like if you said this to them?

What about when you arrive home…try saying this to your spouse, kids, or other family members. What would be the outcome?

Probably not good. The couch may be your cozy bed tonight.

Turn on the positive authority.

Let’s flip the switch and go a different direction. Remember, though, you gotta say it out loud. 🙂

1. You’re the greatest thing since sliced bread.

2. I know I can count on you.

3. You are one in a 1,000,000.

4. You’ve got exactly what it takes.

5. You make a real difference.

6. I’m so glad you’re on my team.

7. You inspire me every day.

8. You’re stronger than you realize.

9. You always bring out the good in others.

10. You make this place better just by being here.

11. You have incredible potential.

12. I’m lucky to know you.

So, how do you feel after that? Better?

What would others feel like if you said these things to them?

What impact would these words have on your family tonight?

You’d be their hero.

Their ceilings would become their floors.

Here’s the wisdom.

When you believe in people (including yourself) and say it out loud to them, it creates pressure and accountability that makes them want to live up to your positive spoken words.

But you have to say them out loud. Don’t be a dummy and say “they know how I feel.” No, that mindset is just lazy (and lame).

Your words have insane power.

This is why you have powerful authority.

Use them wisely.

Or as Uncle Ben from Spiderman said

“With great power, comes great responsibility.”

3 questions

1. How would the mirror describe my words to myself?

2. How would my team describe my words to them?

3. How would my family describe my words to them?

Be a Force for Good.

Lance Miller

CEO | Co-founder of Coffee with Champions

PS. We are looking for leaders like yourself to join our “Force for Good” coalition.

Click below 👇 to see if we’re a fit for your team goals.

Maybe you can relate…I’m always filling out an internal scorecard

I want to succeed in a lot of areas. With my wife Jessica, my family, health, work, finances, faith, and more.

This can be a good thing…and a bad thing.

It means I’m always grading myself. Always filling out a personal scorecard, so to speak. Questions like:

1. Was I kind enough to that person?

2. Did I do a good enough job?

3. Am I making progress towards my goals?

In answering these reflective questions, I land in one of two places: condemnation (not good enough) or grace (I’m okay and moving forward).

Condemnation = I’m not good enough.

Grace = I’m ok and moving forward.

It’s easy to take a similar framework of condemnation or grace when leading others.

When looking at others I’m leading, I’ll internally ask questions like:

1. Is that person doing a good job?

2. Are they making progress?

Then I’m back to the same broad choices for an answer, and I land in one of two places: condemnation (not good enough) or grace (they’re ok and moving forward).

Here’s the takeaway

I know I have a lot of flaws, and I need a lot of grace. Just ask my wife Jessica :)

And I know the same is true of others. Humans are imperfect.

When I start living in a state of personal condemnation (I’m not good enough, etc), I find:

1. It’s a heavy, soul-draining feeling.

2. I automatically start seeing others through this same view.

And when I live in a state of grace towards myself, I find:

1. I become energized, hopeful, and happy.

2. I automatically start seeing others through this same view.

The world is better when we are tipping the scales in favor of grace.

Grace always wins!

3 Questions to Ask

1. When looking at myself, do I usually land on condemnation or grace?

2. When looking at others, do I usually land on condemnation or grace?

3. Do others know (or feel) when I am looking at them with condemnation or grace?

Be a Force for Good.

Lance Miller

CEO | Co-founder of Coffee with Champions

PS. We are looking for leaders like yourself to join our “Force for Good” coalition.

Click below 👇 to see if we’re a fit for your team goals.

Palm trees know the secret

You and I are a lot like palm trees.

They live 70-100 years. So do we.

They encounter some big storms every year. So do we.

When the storm comes, they flex and bend in the wind. What looks like survival actually makes them stronger on a cellular level. The same thing happens to you and me.

Palm trees are resilient.

You were made to bounce back

Resilience is a critical leadership muscle.

It’s built when plans collapse. When team members leave. When everything is falling apart.

It’s the ability to bounce back from setbacks. Just like the palm tree.

So when you are in the storm, you’re not breaking, you’re getting stronger. Just like the palm tree.

Our people are made to bounce back

When we see others bent and swaying, it’s easy to judge by outward appearance. The way they talk. Their attitude. Their work.

But maybe there is an invisible storm going on in them. And they are slowly getting stronger. Just like the palm tree.

Our teams need our perspective…because we’ve been through the storms too. We know what it feels like.

But we know they will bounce back stronger.

Just like the palm tree.

3 Questions to Ask

1. Where have I been bending lately?

2. What’s one storm that made me stronger?

3. Who around me is growing stronger, even if they don’t see it yet?

Be a Force for Good.

Lance Miller

CEO | Co-founder

PS. We are looking for great businesses (like yours) to join our “Force for Good” coalition.

Click below 👇 to see if we’re a fit for your team goals.

Ever feel like you’re wearing the wrong nametag?

Not literally. But internally.

The one that says:

“Not smart enough”

“Too much”

“Failure”

“Imposter”

“Dreamer”

I’ve personally dealt with these wrong nametags before, and bluntly, they suck. They take hard work to change.

When your identity gets cloudy, your confidence follows.

You start hesitating. Holding back. Losing momentum.

Not because you’re weak. But because your identity is your built-in GPS.

But when you don’t know who you are, you can’t move with clarity and conviction.

If you have ever felt that...what about the people you lead?

They’re wearing nametags too.

Some were given by lived experience. Some were given by other leaders.

As leaders, we shape people’s identity more than we realize.

• Our words.

• Our tone.

• Our feedback.

• Our silence.

Communication creates nametags for people.

Good leaders, though, help people remember who they already are. Who they were created to be.

I like how Ken Blanchard puts it.

"Help People to Reach Their Full Potential. Catch Them Doing Something Right” - Ken Blanchard

And I would add, tell them about it.

Here’s the good news.

Nametags are not permanent.

If you don’t like the one you’re wearing, switch it out.

3 Questions to Ask Yourself

1. What nametag have you been wearing lately?

2. Who on your team might be mislabelled?

3. What identity could you help someone reclaim this week?

Be a Force for Good.

Lance Miller

CEO | Co-founder

PS. We are looking for great businesses (like yours) to join our “Force for Good” coalition.

Click below 👇 to see if we’re a fit for your team goals.

As our newest “Force for Good” Champion Team, Level MB has redefined what it means to build differently.

From their headquarters in Troy, OH, this faith-based commercial construction company isn’t just building facilities; they’re creating a culture where community, integrity, and generosity are poured into every blueprint.

Level MB is proving that business success and Kingdom impact don’t have to be separate paths; they're part of the same foundation.

Level Master Builders is inspired by the ancient tradition of the “Master Builder,” a skilled professional who oversaw every aspect of construction.

They are a full-scale design-build company committed to creating meaningful relationships, buildings, and communities. Their approach is rooted in a strong foundation, both in construction and in values.

As they build, they follow the words of 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, focusing on the importance of laying a solid foundation for lasting impact.

We recently had a chance to ask Matt Gray, Vice President of Level MB, to tell us a little more about their company and what makes it so special.

INTERVIEW WITH MATT GRAY

Matt, tell us about your organization and its mission.

Level MB is a full-scale, design-build commercial construction company located in Troy, OH.

As a faith-based company, we are Built Different.

We try to filter Community, Integrity, and Generosity in every decision, project, and client interaction. We build more than just buildings!

Tell us about your team. What makes them special?

We employ nearly 50 amazing team members and work with hundreds of local/valued clients, material suppliers, and subcontracting partners.

People are the greatest asset in the business. Internally and externally. Level MB Team Members, Valued Clients, and Trusted Subcontracting Partners alike.

Relationships and People are what make the experience and projects so special.

How long has your company been serving the community?

Level MB was incorporated in 2014, although the company really ramped up in 2017. Since then, we have grown to nearly 50 Employees. Most of our major milestones are people and community-related.

We have a number of team members who have been with us since their college days. Watching them grow in their career is really cool, and we are excited to be a part of their journey. The cooler thing is being a part of their personal journey. Getting married, having kids, or even buying a house.

Meanwhile and similarly, watching our clients grow. We have several clients who trusted us on their first project. Then the opportunity that we have to be their sideline cheerleader, to watch their business grow, and the opportunity to grow and scale with them. It’s truly what relationships and community are all about!

What separates your company culture from others in your industry?

The intangibles are what we feel separate us from other similar companies in our industry. While everyone competes for a fair wages and benefits package, we win over our competition by the intangibles (such as):

• A Company Cares Team

• Company-Issued Community Days to Employees

• Giving funds that allow our team members to seize an immediate opportunity when presented to give back in our community or non-profit organizations

• Company-Matched Giving

• Community-Sponsored Activities

• Annual Company Picnic

• Annual Team Building Trips where we have been hiking, fishing, visiting amusement parks, white water rafting, paintball, and more.

This mindset is then integrated into our projects and client relations. We challenge our team to go above and beyond in every aspect of the client experience. We value our material suppliers and subcontracting partners. Everyone has a seat at the table. That’s what Coffee with Champions is all about!

If your organization could put advice on a billboard for other companies, what would it say?

'‘Built Different. Build Different.”

Meaning, if you want the status quo, be the status quo. If you want exceptional:

1. Show Up

2. Work Hard

3. Do the Right Thing, and

4. Put Others Above Yourself.

It’s a pretty easy recipe.

What resources have most influenced your organization's growth?

It’s an Easy 3-Step Process:

Step #1: Join Coffee with Champions!!!

Step #2: Consult with Sharon Emrick of Emrick Consulting

Step #3: Join C12.

C12 is a Faith Based, Peer Advisory Group. It operates under the premise that “Iron Sharpens Iron”. The concepts we have adapted as a result of our involvement in C12 have been instrumental in the development of Level MB.

How does your organization engage with and give back to the local community?

In addition to volunteer days, sponsorships, and community involvement, Level MB has a goal of giving back 1% of our revenue annually to area non-profits, missions work (domestic & international), and other amazing causes in our community, country & world.

What are the future goals of the company?

To be attentive to the Lord’s plan for this business. He has shown himself in so many ways… not only the ups and downs of business, but personally as well. That’s where we want to be in the future.

How do you participate in Coffee with Champions, and what impact has it had on your team?

Coffee with Champions at Level MB is completely voluntary. Every week, we have 15 – 20 people show up who want to be a part of the program. Just like with all other company events, this collaborative time spent together is invaluable to the continued growth of the team and relationships within the company.

Coffee with Champions takes all the hard, time-consuming prep work out of it. They make it very easy for the end user to lead the discussion and create a great environment for collaboration and team building.

What advice would you give to another company thinking about joining Coffee with Champions?

You have spent more time and energy talking about it than what it would take to do it. What are you waiting on?

While you are overthinking this, your competition is getting better.

Make the move.

How can someone get in touch with Level MB?

https://levelmb.com/

226 S Market St, Troy, OH 45373

937-980-9343

A huge thank you to the Level MB team for truly exemplifying what it means to be a Force for Good.

- Lance

Level MB uses the “Coffee with Champions” TEAM BUILDER PRO every week. Learn more about it here. 👇

Learn More

Would you choose pain…or rejection?

Here’s a weird truth:

Your brain processes physical pain and social rejection the same way.

They both hurt.

But where rejection stings, acceptance heals.

It sparks dopamine. Oxytocin. That oh so lovely “I belong here” feeling.

Let’s bring this into your workplace.

Employees crave acceptance.

Not just from you, but from each other too.

And when they “feel” accepted, they

• rise up

• bring ideas

• stay longer and

• grow faster

But most people don’t know how to give acceptance.

Because they’ve never been taught that acceptance doesn’t mean agreement. It’s just valuing someone even when you disagree.

Acceptance isn’t just a leadership responsibility. It’s a team skill.

The problem is that many people wrongly confuse acceptance with agreement or endorsement.

But acceptance is about seeing the person as valuable, even if we don’t agree with their choices.

As leaders, we have to find a way to teach our people how to be better at making their coworkers feel accepted.

3 Questions You Must Ask Yourself

1. Can you think of someone on your team who might feel like an outsider?

2. Do your people think culture is your job…or theirs too?

3. Have you ever felt accepted at work without being agreed with?

Be a Force for Good.

Lance Miller

CEO | Co-founder

PS. We are looking for great businesses (like yours) to join our “Force for Good” coalition.

Click below 👇 to see if we’re a fit for your team goals.

We recently got the chance to catch up with Cathy Maus and the group over at the Greater Springfield Partnership. She’s one of the driving forces behind their Coffee with Champions group, and they shared what makes their team tick and why their group has become such a bright spot for local leaders.

A Little Background on the Greater Springfield Partnership

If you don’t know much about GSP, here’s the quick scoop: they’re a nonprofit made up of local businesses, over 800 of them, working to grow the Springfield, Ohio area. They focus on helping businesses connect, grow, and create more opportunities for the whole region.

A big recent win was their campaign called EXPAND 2029. They raised more than $6.5 million to boost economic and workforce development in town. That kind of effort shows they’re serious about making Springfield a place where people want to live and do business.

INTERVIEW BEGINS

Who usually facilitates your group?

We have 3 current facilitators (Mark Beair, Ron Shumaker, and Matt Miller) and we have Jody Gump coming on board.

How would you describe the “vibe” or energy of your group to someone who’s never been there?

Our group feels like sitting down with friends who truly get you — a positive, supportive circle where we laugh, grow, and lift each other up. Every session leaves you encouraged, energized, and ready to take on whatever comes next.

Has your group ever had a breakthrough moment during a discussion?

Yes, we have.

What keeps people coming back each week to your group?

We have one person who stated, “I am not a morning person, but I intentionally get up to make it to CwC. It has helped me grow personally and through my business."

If your group had a billboard in town, what would it say?

Come to experience CwC, the making of Champions

If your group were a superhero team, what would your group name be?

Fantastic 4 (for our four facilatators)

What are you most proud of regarding your group?

The years of experience each one shares on each topic of the week, and how open they can share without judgment.

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

We are thankful that the GSP has brought this on as an asset to their already great contribution to the City of Springfield and Clark County.

How does someone attend a CwC meeting?

We meet every Friday from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. at The Greater Springfield Partnership’s office. The address is 20 S Limestone St, Springfield, OH 45502.

It is open to anyone and everyone. Sign-up is not required.

It’s free to attend the first couple of times, and then you need to become a Chamber member.

Come check us out!

A huge thank you to the Greater Springfield Partnership’s CwC team for being a “Force for Good”!

- Lance

Learn More About Our Programs

Over the past several years, I’ve made 150+ workshops.

And I always end with the exact same statement:

”… you all are a force for good!”

But why?

Why not use our tagline, “Be a force for good”?

And why am I saying…. you ALREADY are?

I’m sure some people look around the room and think, “that person’s not a force for good. They’re a jerk!”

I get it.

But I believe in seeing people at their highest potential. Seeing them on their best day and not judging them based on their worst moments.

Part of my job is telling people who they can be (at their best).

This can be easier said than done sometimes.

But, it’s who I want to be. Who I’m trying to be. It’s a north star.

And that is why I end every video with:

“You all are a Force for Good.”

See someone at their highest and best today. (Even if they’re not there yet.)

-Lance

Want to build a team that grows every week, and looks forward to working together?

Used by

• J&I Duct Fab

• Troy Chamber of Commerce

• Level MB Construction

• Tipp City Chamber of Commerce

• Ernst Concrete

• Vandalia-Butler Chamber of Commerce

• The Greater Springfield Partnership

• DataYard

• Miami Valley Communications Council (MVCC)

• Beavercreek Chamber of Commerce

• Premier Health

• Firefighter Safe

• Springboro Chamber of Commerce

• Supporting Strategies

What’s the backstory?

Bill was nominated recently as a “Force for Good” champion by Kathi Roetter of the Troy Area Chamber of Commerce. It was well deserved.

So, I reached out to him to find out a little more about his work, his hobbies, and his family. He had great things to say. Enjoy!

Lance

Where do you work?

“I am the Executive Director of The New Path, Inc., a large human services nonprofit organization located in Tipp City.

I have been the Executive Director of New Path since December 2014.

Tell us a little more about your work.

Our mission at New Path is to help our friends and neighbors here in the Miami Valley meet life's needs.

This can mean providing help through our food pantry or through giving financial assistance to meet a utility bill. Sometimes it means lending out a pair of crutches or a wheelchair for someone coming out of surgery.

Our work is to show care, compassion and dignity to everyone we encounter.

What's the best advice you've ever received?

There are so many things in our world that we can fix. Not just big things, but small things.

If we can take responsibility for the things we can improve, we can have an amazing impact on our world.

Working in the nonprofit space, we have a unique opportunity to change the world by having an amazing impact on people's lives. We can change our world, by making small impacts each and everyday.

If you could put a phrase on a billboard, what would it say?

Take Responsibility.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

Sometimes I need to be in two places at once. Does that count?

If you could recommend a book, what would it be?

Jordan Peterson's "Twelve Rules for Life" was an amazing book that had a profound impact on my life.

Tell us about your family.

I live in Troy with my wife Ashley and two teenage kids, Jackson and Charlotte. My family has lived here in Troy for generations.

Do you have any interesting hobbies or fun facts about yourself?

I enjoy cycling, amateur radio and working on my passion project, which is a civic affairs newsletter at www.civiccapacity.com.

Where do you attend Coffee with Champions?

Troy Area Chamber of Commerce

What are some words you would use to describe the Champions program?

We have created a very nice family atmosphere. Our fellow CWCers are very wise and compassionate. I always look forward to learning something new every week and learning something new about a fellow CWCer.

What has been your most MEMORABLE workshop at CwC?

The most memorable ones are the few opportunities I get to "host" CWC when our regular host can't make it. Hosting a CWC session is actually a lot harder than it looks.

Closing Thoughts

Bill has been a part of Coffee with Champions - Troy from the beginning in 2022. We are so incredibly appreciative of all his support for the last 3 years.

It’s been fun to watch how his Civic Capacity newsletter has grown into thousands of subscribers due to his passion for the city of Troy, Ohio.

Way to go, Bill! You are making a difference.

You are a Force for Good.

Lance Miller

Want to build a team that grows every week, without complicated, boring training?

“Kameron is a valuable member of our Coffee with Champions group. His input is always thoughtful. We believe that Kameron is the first participant to create a visual for the discussion topic on a whiteboard in order to best share his thoughts with the group.

In addition, when the City of Troy needed a back-up Christmas tree because the original blew over - Kameron and his family came to the rescue. Their generosity allowed citizens in Troy to continue to enjoy the Christmas season.”

- Kathi Roetter, Executive Director at the Troy Area Chamber of Commerce

What’s the backstory?

Kameron was nominated as a “Force for Good” champion by Kathi Roetter of the Troy Area Chamber of Commerce. So, I reached out to him to ask a little about himself, his views on life, and his family. He had some great things to say. I hope you enjoy Kameron’s answers!

Where do you work?

1. Smith Family - Husband/Dad

2. Parallel Advisors - Wealth Advisor

I've been in the financial advising industry for twelve years, and I've spent the past year at Parallel Advisors, where I've been able to focus on empowering my clients and driving my own professional growth.

Tell us a little more about your work.

I love being a wealth advisor because it allows me to bring order and clarity to what can often be chaotic and stressful moments in people's lives. Money touches every part of life, and when it's uncertain, it can create a lot of anxiety. I get to help people navigate that uncertainty and build a plan that aligns with their goals and values.

What I really enjoy most is walking alongside individuals and families, meeting them where they are, understanding their unique story, and helping them get to where they want to be. Along the way, we build strong, trusting relationships, which is something I truly value.

I believe that by helping others achieve their goals, I will in turn achieve my own. When I focus on serving others and putting their needs first, everything else falls into place.

At the core, my mission is to help people live fuller lives, with less stress and more freedom to focus on what truly matters to them.

What's the best advice you've ever received?

I've always been inspired by Zig Ziglar's quote

"Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude."

This is the best piece of advice I've received because it reminds me that my mindset is the most powerful tool I have. It's not about what limitations others might place on me, but about what I believe I can achieve.

I'm determined to maintain a positive and driven attitude, which allows me to surpass expectations and reach my full potential.

What’s the one thing you want people to know about you?

The one thing I want people to know about me is that I’m genuinely passionate about helping others succeed. Whether it’s through guiding people to financial freedom or offering support during difficult moments, I’m here to serve.

I believe in treating others with kindness, building strong relationships, and always being there to support the goals of those around me.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

The superpower I'd choose is definitely precognition – the ability to see the future.

As a parent of four, that's almost a necessity! Imagine knowing whether a trip to the zoo will be a success or a disaster, or being able to prevent those inevitable spills and bumps.

But beyond the practicalities of parenting, I believe it would be a profound way to empower others. Being able to offer insight into potential outcomes could help people make informed choices and navigate uncertainty with greater ease.

Tell us about your family.

I’ve been married to my high school sweetheart for 10 years, and we have four amazing kids, ages 6, 4, 2, and 7 months, so life is definitely busy but full of joy. We live in Troy, Ohio, and love being part of this community.

Do you have any interesting hobbies or fun facts about yourself?

One of my biggest passions is hiking. I find being out in nature incredibly grounding, and exploring new trails is always an adventure. It's a fantastic way to clear my head and get some exercise. Actually, a fun fact is that I've summited five different 14ers in Colorado. It is an incredible challenge and a truly rewarding experience.

Where do you attend Coffee with Champions?

Troy Area Chamber of Commerce

What are some words you would use to describe the Champions program?

Collaborative, Relationship-building, Inspiring, Motivational, Entrepreneurial spirit, community, consistent rhythm, engaging conversations.

What has been your most MEMORABLE workshop at CwC?

I try to make CWC every week as I really enjoy the intentional group conversation. There have been many topics that I have enjoyed, but a few that stick out to me are

• Giving & Receiving Feedback

• Legacy

• Artificial Intelligence

• Fear vs Confidence

Wow. What an amazing interview. You can tell Kameron has a heart of gold. We can see why he was voted a “Force for Good” Champion. Keep it up the great work!

Lance Miller

Want to build a team that grows every week, without expensive training or cheesy icebreakers?
This is the program we built for that.

I know you are going to make it to the end. That you will achieve what you set out to do.

I see it in you. In your actions.

I see you have:

Persistence in prayer.

Persistence in finding solutions.

Persistence in reminding yourself of where you are going.

Persistence in finding the right mindset.

Persistence in eating right.

Persistence in doing what is right.

Persistence in your work.

Persistence in leading.

Persistence in just one more rep.

Persistence in digging for the right answer.

Persistence in love.

Persistence in being persistent.

Persistence in forgiveness.

Persistence in standing in faith.

Persistence in never quitting.

Persistence in making today count.

Persistence in gratitude.

Your persistence is your secret power.

Stand strong, Champions.

And be a Force for Good,

Lance

Want to build a team that grows every week, without expensive training or cheesy icebreakers?

This is the program I built for that.

Here’s the truth about me: I’m a skeptic.

I don’t trust headlines. I don’t get excited about coupons. And I definitely don’t believe everything I hear the first time around.

Call it what you want; rebellion, discernment, or just being stubborn; but I like to figure things out for myself. Always have.

And when I first started learning about anchoring bias for a Coffee with Champions workshop, I realized I might actually have a superpower. Anchoring bias is when the first piece of information you hear "anchors" your thinking, even if it’s wrong or outdated. It's sneaky because it feels like you're being smart, but really, you might just be clinging to something irrelevant.

Now, I'm not saying I’m immune to it. I’ve definitely judged people too quickly in the past. I’ve felt good about "getting a deal" without stopping to ask if I actually needed the thing in the first place. When money is tight, even skeptics like me get excited by sales.

But overall, I question everything.

It started in church. Growing up in a mix of conservative religions, I was told over and over again that one group had "the only way." And then the next group said the same thing. Eventually, I stopped just accepting what people told me. I started looking for the truth myself. That mindset stuck.

Today, it shows up in how I view politics, marketing, even workplace decisions. When someone shouts a big idea, I don’t grab it and run. I take a beat. I ask, "Is this the whole story? Is this actually true?"

That’s one of the things I love most about Coffee with Champions. You get in a room with people who think differently, and suddenly you see that your way isn't the only way. There are ten other ways. Sometimes thirty. And all of them lead to the same goal.

So yeah, I’m a skeptic. But I think that’s a good thing.

Because in a world full of noise, hype, and spin, the real challenge isn’t believing everything you hear. It’s knowing when not to.

Stay curious. Stay grounded. And keep showing up to ask the better questions.

That’s how we grow.

What do you think? Are you more skeptical or more trusting? And how has that shaped your life?

Be a force for Good!

Lance

Want to build a team that grows every week, without expensive training or cheesy icebreakers?
This is the program I built for that.