Podcast Summary: “Brewing Purpose: How Seven Weeks Coffee Is Funding Life with Every Cup”

Coffeez for Closers with Joe Shalaby
Episode Date: October 31, 2025
Guest: Anton (Founder, Seven Weeks Coffee)
Host: Joseph Shalaby

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode dives deep into the origins, mission, and growth of Seven Weeks Coffee—a for-profit, mission-driven coffee company that donates 10% of its gross sales to pregnancy resource centers nationwide. Host Joseph Shalaby speaks with founder Anton about blending faith, entrepreneurship, and social impact, highlighting how a business rooted in purpose is changing lives one cup—and one heartbeat—at a time.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Genesis of Seven Weeks Coffee

• Origins & Motivation
  • Anton started Seven Weeks Coffee after noticing a gap in the market: there were no pro-life coffee brands. His background in politics made him aware of increasing corporate activism and the resulting disenfranchisement felt by faith-based and conservative consumers (00:51–02:40).
  • “I kept seeing all these businesses…consumers, faith-based consumers, conservatives, were being alienated…giving money to brands that obviously didn’t support their value. …I want to help make a change in that environment.” — Anton [00:51]
  • The idea solidified after his wife pointed out that at seven weeks, a baby is the size of a coffee bean—the moment when a heartbeat is first detected, becoming the inspiration for the name and mission (06:14–07:18).

2. Radical Generosity: The Business Model

• The company donates 10% of gross sales to pro-life organizations, which can amount to 50% of profits, yet remains profitable (00:02–04:17).
  • “On the outside looking in, it’s not a good business practice…But God has made it work.” — Anton [04:18]
  • Early on, after a layoff, Anton considered changing the donation model, but resolved to keep it if the business stayed profitable through faith and prayer (04:18).

3. Impact So Far

• Over $1 million donated, benefiting more than 1,000 pro-life organizations across all 50 states. They now donate tens of thousands each month (03:17–04:05).
  • “We’ve actually supported over a thousand pro-life organizations across all 50 states with funding.” — Anton [03:19]

4. Naming and Mission

• The name “Seven Weeks” is an homage both to the size of a baby at seven weeks (comparable to a coffee bean) and the milestone when a fetal heartbeat is detectable. The logo incorporates a heartbeat line (06:14–07:18).
  • “At seven weeks, a baby is the size of a coffee bean. It’s the same time a heartbeat is detected on ultrasound.” — Anton [06:14]

5. From Politics to Purposeful Business

• Anton left a career in D.C.–based political fundraising due to frustration with gridlock and limited impact. He saw that private enterprise could provide more immediate and tangible support for causes he believed in (08:22–11:16).
  • “You can have a more immediate impact…by just working in the private sector, by using business to actually help people who are facing the challenge.” — Anton [09:09]

6. Early Entrepreneurial Spirit

• Anton was always “a tinkerer,” interested in contrarian paths, politics, and business from a young age (11:16–12:29).

7. The First Signs of Success

• The company’s first major event was the March for Life in D.C., only two months into business. The enthusiastic response from attendees, including some brought to tears, suggested the company could become something significant (13:29–15:39).

8. Growth Catalysts

• Digital marketing (especially Facebook ads)
• Organic user-generated content (UGC): Stories from moms, mission impact
• Podcast partnerships and sponsorships
• Word of mouth and regular presence at 10+ annual conferences
  These factors established Seven Weeks as “America’s pro-life coffee company.” (15:39–17:25)
  • “Customers are buying it for the first time for the mission. They’re buying it again because they love the coffee.” — Anton [19:07]

9. Product Before Mission Isn't Enough

• Anton emphasizes coffee quality—direct trade, specialty grade, lab tested, pesticide free. Long-term success requires a product that stands on its own merits, not just a cause (17:53–19:46).

10. Giving Process & Local Impact

• Organizations apply and are vetted; Seven Weeks funds 20–40 centers monthly. Donations are personal and transparent—each recipient gets a direct check (19:46–21:41).

11. Faith, Adversity, and Authenticity

• Anton describes moments of challenge, including decisions about selling equity, imitators, and supply chain issues. He repeatedly anchored his decisions in faith and staying true to the original mission (22:02–23:42).
  • “If you stay pure in your mission … I can let the results fall as they may.” — Anton [23:00]

12. Advice on Blending Faith and Business

• Anton asserts that business owners should not be afraid to live out and be influenced by their faith. For-profit enterprises can be incredibly impactful beyond traditional ministry (23:49–25:11).
  • “We need more Christian spiritual entrepreneurs…For-profit entities can have the biggest impact.” — Anton [23:56]

13. Observations on Culture and Markets

• Discussion on the need for faith-based businesses and voices, a shift toward boldness in the face of cultural and market opposition (25:11–27:24).

14. Coffee Industry Realities

• Anton discusses the complexity and impact of direct trade, visiting farms, and correcting inequities in the global coffee supply chain (28:01–29:13).

15. Personal, Family, and Business Goals

• Personal: Compete in amateur golf again
• Family: Maintain health and happiness with his newborn son
• Business: Donate “tens of millions” and increase the tangible impact (29:13–30:37).

16. Legacy & Finishing Well

• When asked what he hopes God will say at the pearly gates, Anton replies:
  • “Well done. Staying true to the mission from start to finish.” [30:51]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “On the outside looking in, it’s not a really good business practice…But God has made it work.” — Anton [04:18]
• “At seven weeks, a baby is the size of a coffee bean. It’s the same time a heartbeat is detected on ultrasound.” — Anton [06:14]
• “Customers are buying it for the first time for the mission. They’re buying it again because they love the coffee.” — Anton [19:07]
• “If you stay pure in your mission and what you’re trying to accomplish, I can let the results fall as they may.” — Anton [23:00]
• “We need more Christian spiritual entrepreneurs…For-profit entities can have the biggest impact.” — Anton [23:56]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Origin Story & Mission: 00:51–02:40, 06:14–07:18
• Donation Model & Impact: 00:02–04:17, 03:17–04:05
• From Politics to Business: 08:22–11:16
• Naming the Company: 06:14–07:18
• First Big Event: 13:29–15:39
• Growth Strategies: 15:39–17:25
• Product Quality Details: 17:53–19:46
• Donation Process: 19:46–21:41
• Faith Through Adversity: 22:02–23:42
• Faith in Business Advice: 23:49–25:11
• Coffee Industry Insights: 28:01–29:13
• Goals: 29:13–30:37
• Legacy: 30:51

Tone & Style

The conversation is warm, candid, and friendly, marked by mutual respect and a shared commitment to faith-based values. Both Joseph and Anton are open about the risks, rewards, and spiritual underpinnings of entrepreneurship and leadership.

Final Takeaway

Seven Weeks Coffee exemplifies how purpose-driven businesses can achieve both meaningful social impact and commercial success when built on authenticity, quality, faith, and radical generosity. Through transparency and focus on local impact, Anton’s team has created a brand where every cup is a vote for life and a testament to doing business differently.

Learn more: sevenweekscoffee.com