Eric Hadley is the founder and CEO of Got Your Six Coffee, which is dedicated spiritually and financially to our veterans.
Eric is a dedicated entrepreneur, veteran, and philanthropist who founded Got Your Six Coffee Co. with a mission to use the power of coffee to brew better days for our country by supporting those who do a uniform of service. With a background in the military and extensive engineering experience in the maritime and oil industries, Eric combines his passion for coffee, service, engineering and community to create a brand that roasts amazing coffee that gives back to veterans, first responders, and healthcare professionals.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My schedule shifts every other week depending on when I have custody of my son. On the weeks I have him, my day begins at 5:00 AM. I help get him ready for school, prepare breakfast for the family, and make sure my wife has her coffee and water ready to start her day. Once my son is off to school, I head to the roastery.
I’m a big believer in time-blocking, especially for maintaining focus. I start my mornings with devotionals and gratitude journaling to ground myself. Then I prioritize creative or strategic projects when my energy is highest. Afternoons are typically reserved for team support—ensuring everyone has the resources and clarity they need to succeed.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I’m never short on ideas—it’s executing them that takes discipline. I capture every idea in a dedicated Trello board, where I prioritize them by urgency, relevance, and available bandwidth. From there, I schedule them into workflows and break them down into actionable steps.
What’s one trend that excites you?
One trend I’m excited about is the rise of philanthropic veteran- and first responder-owned coffee companies. When I launched Got Your Six Coffee Co. in 2016, only a few of us existed—Alpha Coffee, Black Rifle Coffee Co., and us. From day one, I gave 100% of net profits to support first responders, veterans, and healthcare workers. While that wasn’t sustainable and became a tough lesson, we now give 25%—which is still 25x the national average.
The exciting part is seeing other companies start to adopt that same spirit of giving. While I’m not aware of any that match our level of impact, the growing number of mission-driven businesses gives me hope and fuels my desire to inspire others to give more, do more, and serve boldly.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Time management through prioritization. It’s easy to stay busy with low-impact tasks, but productivity comes from identifying and executing what truly matters. Every day, I strive to clearly define my top priorities and focus energy where it counts.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I’d say this: It’s great to have a heart to serve—but make sure your foundation is strong. In the early days of my business, we didn’t prioritize systems, equipment, or sustainable processes, and we paid dearly for it. Passion without structure isn’t scalable.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you.
Many people won’t say this out loud, but I believe a lot of us waste massive amounts of our lives scrolling on social media without intention. We only get so much time on this earth—how we use it matters. I’m far from perfect, but I strive to be mindful of how I spend mine, and I encourage others to do the same.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Practice daily gratitude. Science shows that it’s almost impossible to be depressed when you’re focused on what you’re thankful for. After traveling to 59 countries, I’ve seen how much we take for granted in the U.S.—even our poorest citizens have more than many people around the world. Gratitude shifts everything.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I pause. I pray. I reflect. I use the acronym P.R.A.Y.—Praise, Repent, Ask, Yield. My faith is my anchor, and I believe God continues to use my weaknesses to show His provision. Despite every mistake I’ve made, we’re still here—nearly nine years later—and that reminds me that I’m not walking alone.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Lately, I’ve started sharing my full story—not just the highlights. For years, I only posted content that was inspirational or educational. But at a major business conference, I realized the most powerful speakers shared both their struggles and successes. I’ve missed chapters in our story that people need to hear—because that’s where connection happens
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
10. What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
When I started Got Your Six Coffee Co., I was emotionally, spiritually, and physically depleted. I had just lost my uncle due to failures in the VA system, several veteran friends to suicide, my job in the oil industry, and went through a painful divorce and custody battle. That chaos created a lack of clarity, which led to poor decisions in the business.
Counseling helped. My faith helped more. I recommitted my life to Christ, which gave me a new direction and purpose. I’ve learned that we’re not meant to walk alone. One of my favorite quotes by Chief Tecumseh says, “A single twig breaks, but the bundle of twigs is strong.” Teamwork, community, and connection are everything.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Too many million-dollar ideas die in silence because people don’t act. My advice: Act boldly. Yes, it will be hard. But you can either work hard now for what you want—or work even harder later for what you don’t want. Take the leap. Turn your passion into purpose. You’ll never regret betting on yourself.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Trello. It’s my digital brain. I use it for everything—idea capture, project management, campaign planning, and more. I’ve used it for years and I’m still unlocking new features. It’s intuitive, powerful, and keeps my team and I on track.
What is the best $100 you recently spent?
I’ve been prioritizing my health again after years of neglect. I started the carnivore diet and have been adding Re-Lyte electrolytes from REDMOND to my daily water intake. It’s a small investment with a big impact—on my focus, energy, and overall wellness. When I skip it, I feel the difference.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast from which you’ve received much value?
Absolutely. I recently had the honor of interviewing one of my favorite authors, Bob Burg, on my podcast Brewing Better Days: The Coffee Shop Talk Podcast. His Go-Giver series reshaped how I think about business, leadership, and life. It’s not just about success—it’s about service, influence, and integrity.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I tend to avoid TV and movies because I often regret the time spent. Time is our most precious asset, and I’m hyper-aware of that. That said, I do enjoy the series Yellowstone and faith-based films by the Kendrick Brothers. The last film I watched where I truly felt I gained value was The Forge—it challenged and inspired me.
Key learnings:
- Purpose-driven business starts with people, not profit. Aligning mission and impact can elevate a company’s culture, brand, and long-term sustainability.
- Transparency in storytelling fosters real connection. Sharing both success and failure builds credibility and community.
- Gratitude and faith are powerful tools for resilience. Regular reflection and spiritual grounding help navigate the pressures of entrepreneurship.
- Productivity is rooted in priorities. Time management, intention, and focused execution are more valuable than being constantly busy.
- Entrepreneurial action beats perfection. Millions of great ideas die without movement. Taking bold steps—even imperfect ones—is the key to growth.