Ep. 123: Me, Mike and Armor Coffee

Summary

You, Me & Mike – Ep. 123: Me, Mike and Armor Coffee
Release Date: November 17, 2022
Hosts: Jenn and Mike Todryk
Time Range: ~00:01–38:42

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Episode Overview

In this candid and engaging episode, Jenn (“The Rambling Redhead”) and Mike Todryk take listeners on a journey through Mike’s path from West Point to the founding of Armor Coffee. They share personal stories about career decisions, family, entrepreneurship, and the leap from corporate life to small business ownership. This is the first of a two-part deep dive, setting the stage for an honest conversation about risk, fulfillment, and forging one's path.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Gratitude and Veterans Day Fundraiser (00:39–02:29)

• Mike and Jenn reflect on a quick-turn Instagram fundraiser for the 98 Fund, a veterans’ charity supported by Mike’s West Point class.

• Community enthusiasm led to selling out all items and raising over $13,000 in under an hour.

  “Y’all sold out everything we had in well under an hour, which is crazy … you all raised over $13,000 for that charity.”
  — Mike (02:08)

2. Mike’s Background: West Point and Military Service (03:56–14:33)

Early Aspirations and Family Influence (04:22–05:03)

• Mike grew up in a modest Milwaukee family. Military service was a family tradition, but not pressured.

• Influenced by visits to military academies; financial necessity also played a role.

  “I always had this idea that I wanted to serve. And it wasn’t like you have to serve.”
  — Mike (05:02)

The West Point Admission Process (06:35–08:33)

• Mike describes the rigorous pre-internet West Point application journey, including interviews with a congressional committee and lack of guidance from school counselors.

• Emphasis on well-rounded applicants: athletics, leadership, academics.

  “The academies don’t want just smart people … They look for well-roundedness.”
  — Mike (08:16)

Life at West Point (09:28–14:33)

• Mike contrasts West Point with traditional colleges—no parties, strict honor codes, limited freedom, but lifelong bonds forged under shared hardship.

  “The institutionalization of it is … your freshman year, you just become so bonded … Embracing the suck.”
  — Mike (10:22)

• Jenn reflects on differences between their college experiences, underlining the challenge and discipline of West Point.

• Mike describes his deployment to Bosnia, receiving a Purple Heart, and the grounding effect of witnessing hardship abroad.

  “It opens your eyes up, especially as a young man, to what the reality of the world is … How good we have it.”
  — Mike (14:16)

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3. Transition to Corporate Life (17:51–25:18)

Medical Device Sales Career (18:23–23:23)

• Mike launched a 17-year career in medical device sales at Guidance, Boston Scientific, St. Jude, and Abbott.

• He enjoyed the clinical aspect, and credits the autonomy and adaptability instilled in him by the military for his success.

  “I had a lot of elderly patients that would give me like, ‘Oh, Mike, I am so happy I have this pacemaker because I give money to …’ And I’m like … That’s a different company.”
  — Mike (19:48)

Weighing Career Decisions: Comfort, Ego, and Growth (23:23–25:18)

• Mike’s choice between a traditional corporate path at Kraft (with an MBA opportunity) and medical sales was guided by his desire for autonomy, better pay, and tangible value to patients.

• The couple touches on traditional gender roles and the internal and external pressures to provide, seek affirmation, and measure success. Jenn and Mike discuss outgrowing the belief that fulfillment comes from chasing ever-higher positions.

  “If you keep … for me, keeping to continue to chase, that isn’t healthy. There’s a certain point where you have to say, there is no next.”
  — Mike (25:08)

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4. Facing Unfulfillment and Family Priorities (25:18–33:39)

The Spark for Change – Work/Life Frustration (25:18–27:17)

• Jenn shares the household impact of Mike’s growing dissatisfaction with corporate life—missed family moments, exhaustion, and loss of excitement.
• The couple faced the real possibility of downsizing to prioritize Mike’s happiness and their family dynamic over salary or status.

The MBA and Corporate “Ceiling” (28:03–30:28)

• Mike pursues an executive MBA at SMU, supported by the military’s GI Bill (and some skepticism from Jenn).

• Seeking promotion to VP, he’s passed over—and realizes the next tier would demand travel, relocation, and becoming a corporate “yes man,” which doesn’t suit him.

  “You want your cake and you too. You don’t want to move, you don’t want to travel and you want the next role. And I was like, yeah, yeah, what’s the problem?”
  — Mike (29:36)

• Mike recognizes he’s not willing to sacrifice family for advancement.

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5. Entrepreneurial Spirit and Many “Almosts” (31:20–36:21)

• Mike’s serial entrepreneurial ideas: motorsports, pillboxes, vintage electric cars (“Bang Shift Motor”), health spas—most never got off the ground.

• Jenn affectionately dubs the Armor Coffee concept “idea number 89,” reflecting the many abandoned or postponed projects.

  “A lot of ideas I just could never get to execution … My career was going so well … it becomes almost scarier when you have a lot of delta from the risk.”
  — Mike (33:39)

• They discuss their cautious approach to risk, and how fear of failure initially held them back from making the leap.

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6. The Armor Coffee Origin Story (34:10–37:36)

From Co-Working to Café (34:10–36:27)

• Mike’s post-MBA plan: a co-working space and café with his brother as operations partner. As the business neared launch, his brother got a key art opportunity and stepped away.

• Mike, seeking clarity, received a serendipitous email about a local coffee shop for sale—while sitting inside that same coffee shop.

• After visiting, Mike talks to the owners and takes the first real step toward purchasing what would become Armor Coffee.

  “There’s an email randomly from a broker … Coffee shop for sale in Collin County … it was this coffee shop. I’m sitting in my local coffee shop.”
  — Mike (36:27)

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7. Teaser for Part Two (37:36–End)

• Jenn and Mike tease the next episode: handling fear and doubt in business, changes in the market, and the challenges of entrepreneurship—all to be covered in detail in part two (available for immediate listening).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On community support:

  “Y’all sold out everything we had in well under an hour … you all raised over $13,000 for that charity.” (02:08) – Mike

• On West Point’s legacy:

  “You become such good friends. I mean, it’s kind of like you’re embracing the suck.” (10:22) – Mike

• On leaving the military:

  “It opens your eyes up … to what the reality of the world is … And how good we have it.” (14:16) – Mike

• On the risks of entrepreneurship:

  “A lot of ideas I just could never get to execution because part of it was … my career was going so well that it’s hard to leave a job.” (33:39) – Mike

• On the serendipity of finding Armor Coffee:

  “There’s an email randomly from a broker … Coffee shop for sale in Collin County … it was this coffee shop. I’m sitting in my local coffee shop.” (36:27) – Mike

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Episode Timestamps – Important Segments

• Fundraiser and gratitude: 00:39–02:29
• West Point journey begins: 03:56–06:52
• Military admissions & student life: 06:52–14:33
• Leaving military, Purple Heart: 13:42–14:33
• Early corporate/medical sales career: 17:51–23:23
• Career reflection, MBA decision: 23:23–25:18
• Work/family dissatisfaction: 25:18–27:17
• MBA and denied VP, turning point: 28:03–30:28
• Entrepreneurial ideas and risk aversion: 31:20–33:39
• Armor Coffee origin story: 34:10–37:36
• Teaser for Part Two: 37:36–End

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Tone & Style

• Warm, conversational, and often playful. Jenn’s humor, Mike’s storytelling, and their mutual support shine, making the episode relatable for anyone considering a major life or career change.
• The couple balances vulnerability about doubt and dissatisfaction with humor (e.g., Jenn’s “idea number 89” running joke), while offering practical perspectives on navigating family, risk, and fulfillment.

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If you’re intrigued by how two “risk-averse” professionals navigated a dramatic life pivot—and want insights on managing fear, business challenges, and the reality of entrepreneurship—jump to Part Two for the next chapter in the Armor Coffee story.

Transcript

[A]

Welcome to you, me and Mike. I'm Jen Todrick, otherwise known as the rambling redhead on Instagram and the host and Designer of no DiMareno on HGTV.

[B]

And I'm Mike, and I'm also known.

[A]

As Mike, and he's Mike.

[B]

Applause anyone?

[A]

Applause.

[B]

And while that sounds really important, it's not as important as the third person in this equation, which is you.

[A]

We love sharing our life with all of you on Instagram and hgtv, but here we get to dive deeper into topics that you suggest, answer questions you submitted, and share stor stories that impact us all.

[B]

Cue the music.

[A]

The music has already played, Mike.

[B]

Oh, it is. Well, there it is.

[A]

It is the week after Veterans Day. Is it Veterans Day or Veterans Day?

[B]

Are you saying with the t or d?

[A]

No, it's. I got this on Instagram and it stumped me. Is it Veterans Day or Veterans Day? Do you, like, put the emphasis on the e? You're a veteran.

[B]

How did you just say it there?

[A]

Veterans Day.

[B]

Veterans Day.

[A]

It's not Veterans Day.

[B]

I don't know why. It seems like it's an extra syllable. Veterans.

[A]

No, no.

[B]

It's like you're rolling your tees at this point. Veterans.

[A]

No, I'm not.

[B]

No.

[A]

Veterans Day. Veterans.

[B]

Veterans Day. Veterans Veterinarians Day.

[A]

So we solved it. Veterans Day.

[B]

That's right. It is.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Well, it was locked in. Veterans Day.

[A]

We want to see. Thank you so much. We had a. Just random. I gave no heads up because it was a kind of a smaller batch of items that we were selling. And so I went on Instagram on Veterans Day, and if you saw it, you saw it. But we did a fundraiser for the 98 fund.

[B]

It's my class fund for veterans, their family, Gold star families. It's a really, really, really good charitable organization that was started, like I said, by my classmates. It's awesome.

[A]

Yeah, it was a really good organization. So thank you so much. Y' all sold out everything we had in well under an hour, which is crazy. And so, I mean, we didn't have that low of stock. I was surprised.

[B]

I mean, it was. It was quite a bit. And the coolest thing is thank you, guys. And honestly, you all raised over $13,000 for that charity, which is super cool. And we'll announce that later and do some more things with it. But that's. That was incredible. And it's gonna. It's gonna do some good for a lot of families. Just from gonna do a lot of good.

[A]

It was so awesome. So thank you again for Everyone who showed up on Instagram for that.

[B]

Hey, we're back to Jen back.

[A]

I've been in a dark cave of sickness the past three days.

[B]

You have been.

[A]

Mike's been a single parent.

[B]

It's. Yeah, you were. And I was, you know, feeding you soup.

[A]

He was not feeding me, but bringing me. I only ate one bowl of soup a day. It's like I didn't even have stomach problems. I just. My body just didn't want to eat. Vaughn looked at me one night from the door frame, and he was like, mom, I've never seen you in bed like this. And I started laughing because it was so genuine. And I was thinking back, the last time I was sick in bed was when I was pregnant with Vivian. I had the flu, right? And who knows? Maybe I had that this time. I don't know. But, yeah, I thought that. He doesn't remember that.

[B]

Well, you're better now. I mean, mostly, right?

[A]

Yeah, I mean, I'm definitely. I wouldn't say I'm still like 100, but, like, I'm here.

[B]

You are pushing through to get up on this podcast. And I know we talked about it this morning, and Jen was like, do we do it or. You were like, I'm going to do it this morning because we've been two weeks that we haven't done it. And, yeah, I assume we were going to do it because you were feeling. Not 100%, but, hey, let's roll. Let's do this.

[A]

I can sit in my pajamas and talk to you on the foot of it. You do that.

[B]

You do that on Instagram.

[A]

Exactly. So, like, there's no excuse for me not to film this. Dang it. Record this today.

[B]

Record what?

[A]

Keep saying, film this, record this podcast. There's no excuse for me not.

[B]

Well, we are recording. I mean, that's how they're hearing it.

[A]

You weren't paying attention.

[B]

I am paying attention. Okay, so what are we talking about today?

[A]

I think a good place to start is West Point. Why did you go. Why did you go to West Point?

[B]

Wow.

[A]

You just throat burped into the mic.

[B]

That is why that. My stomach answered for me. Had great food, actually. Fun fact, West Point was rated worst food in all college when I was there, so. Yeah.

[A]

Are you serious?

[B]

It was.

[A]

That's hilarious.

[B]

Yeah, we had. It was edible.

[A]

It's because you didn't have to pay to go there, probably.

[B]

Well, it's. I mean, there were a lot of privileges to be. To go in there, so. I grew up in Milwaukee, and I was kind Of a modest family. I would say middle lower class family, but not in a lower class standpoint. Mom's a hairdresser. Mom, my dad's. My stepdad was a car salesman. And my dad and mom were split up. But, you know, I still, you know, spent time with my dad. And there was an influence, particularly from my dad, to go into the army and go do or at least serve in the military and.

[A]

Because your dad did it and your grandpa.

[B]

My dad was in the army. My grandfather was a marine fighter pilot and it was in World War II. And so I always had this idea that I wanted to serve. And it wasn't like you have to serve.

[A]

You didn't feel like the pressure.

[B]

There wasn't a pressure on it. But I did a business trip my sophomore year with my dad and I visited the Air Force Academy. And it really just sparked this like, holy crap, this is super cool. You get to be in the military. It's college and people are talking about how awesome it is and how cool it is and. And it's free. And that was another thing. We didn't have like, money for college. So with scholarships or loans were my only options. So smart.

[A]

My parents, like, tried to push the scholarships and I would looked up if I could get a scholarship for having red hair. And I got $500 and I literally thought I was done.

[B]

That's a real thing.

[A]

Yes. And I was like, you're welcome. You're welcome. I did a lot of work for.

[B]

That, you know, do well.

[A]

And you're so sweet. Like, you were like, I'm on my own. Like, I have to pay for all of this. Which is why you don't want us to tell our kids that we're for their colleagues. You want them to figure it out. Okay, sorry.

[B]

You know, my grandfather was. There was a small amount of money, but it would have maybe paid for one semester at college.

[A]

Right.

[B]

That's basically what we had for saved up or it was loans and. Or. Or again ROTC or West Point was the options for me. And I really wanted to do something that I felt was, I guess, a duty to our country. And I always had that, you know, organically within me. And maybe it's from my family or just from the. My mentality of, like, our country is pretty dang awesome. And despite the flaws may have. I think we're just the best country in the world, the best system. And I wanted to be a part of it. So. Yeah. So I was very blessed and very lucky to be able to get into West Point. It was a long process.

[A]

Yeah. You. When you were telling me about the process, we were dating, I was like, I couldn't imagine. You have to, like, meet with congressmen and a senator and, like, all these things, and it's like, you have to be really driven and really want to go there. When you literally could just take a test and apply online, like, that's. And I thought that was an inconvenience for my life whenever I was 18.

[B]

You know, like, I. I would say, I guess there's some of the naivety of youth where I was like, this is what I'm gonna do. I'm gonna do it. Go talk to a congressman. I'm gonna go talk to someone.

[A]

You, like, weren't intimidated?

[B]

No. I mean, not really, because I guess you think about just another. In my mind, it was just another person. It wasn't like a celebrity. It was a congressman saying, like, okay, well, I'm just gonna go talk to this guy. And it was a committee, and. And I. I had to follow this old school and asked my counselor about it. They gave me this, like, postcard from the 1980s.

[A]

Oh, you asked them, like, can I have help applying to West Point?

[B]

Yeah. So they pulled out. It was in this, like, old bin, and they pulled out, and I swear it had dust on it. It was, like, thick, and it was. It was old, it was nasty, and I could barely read it. But I sent it in to the academy, and they sent me back this big, like, packet of things to do. And, you know, it was like, okay, check the box, do this, do that, do that.

[A]

And did you say no one had applied at your high school for, like, over 10 years?

[B]

Yeah, yeah. For, you know, obviously for multiple years. Counselor had no idea what to do. They're like.

[A]

So you really had to, like, figure it out on your own, which.

[B]

And this is like. And this is so much pre Internet days, Jen.

[A]

I know. I'm so proud of 18.

[B]

I just want to make sure people realize that I was actually 16 at the time. I was. Because my G. 16 or 17 between those edges. So, yeah, I think the people. The kid. Like, if parents are out there and you're wondering how your kids can get into it, it's. They don't. The academies don't want just. Just smart people. They want kids that are young people that are involved in athletics. Basically. I think 98% of kids at West Point, it's, like, between 95, 90 of a varsity letter in one sport. They're usually involved in student senate. And outside, like, Volunteer activities. And they generally have, you know, good grades and high ACT SAT scores. So you got. They look for, well, roundedness. And.

[A]

Were you an rotc? Now, that. I've never.

[B]

That wasn't even exist in my high school. There was no ROTC program or jrotc. Yeah, that didn't exist. Which, I know it's bigger here in Texas, but it. It was not a thing in Wisconsin at all.

[A]

You literally got in with good grades and amazing looks. Okay, all right. You think the men who are interviewing you were like.

[B]

It was actually a panel and one of their. Like, their moms and.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

And you there. I think it was the moms.

[A]

Mike, come on.

[B]

Look at this handsome little hobbit. This guy.

[A]

Little hobbit.

[B]

He's so confident himself.

[A]

Let's give it to him. We need a short person.

[B]

I was like the. The English bulldog. I have no idea how ugly I am. And I'm just like, man, I would look good. And you're like, bulldogs are so confident in what they are. You're like, they are the cutest animal in the world.

[A]

Yeah, they are cute. I think bulldogs are really cute. Okay, so you get into West Point.

[B]

Yeah, so did West Point. I was a system engineer, and it was. I mean, it was. It was an interesting experience. I think there could be a whole podcast about the time there besides this one. But I enjoyed. Overall. Enjoyed my time there. I made a lot of amazing friends. It wasn't easy, particularly that first year was such huge culture shock. But you get so indoctrinated into it. And I guess I don't know if this is the right word, and I've used this before, and I still think it's the right word for it, but you almost become institutionalized that.

[A]

Yeah, when you talk to me about college, I feel bad for you. I'm like, that is not a college experience. People who go to West Point don't actually experience normal college.

[B]

It's a different.

[A]

Have sorority and frat parties and, like, mixers.

[B]

You got weird stuff. You do trust. But the. But like, there's so many.

[A]

Like, I don't care. But I'm just saying, like, that's a normal, like, college. It's not, like, getting around and, like.

[B]

It'S not traditional college experience, but it is its own experience for you. But. But the institutionalization of it is. Is your freshman year, you just become so bonded and entrenched with the people that are dealing with the suck with you. You become such good friends. I mean, it's kind of like you're Embracing the suck. And you really grow a strong bond with those people. And there's some intentionality in it because in the military, not everything looking combat and things like that, things aren't usually. There's a lot of uncomfortable, unhappy things and unthinks. So you have to like really bond with the people to your left. Right. Because you've got to trust. You got to trust the person. You know? You know? Yeah.

[A]

Would you say that, like, I think you told me this. Maybe I had in my head that you're like quote unquote, party days were like right after college.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

When you got out of college more. Whereas the day I graduated college, I was like, all right, I need to wife up and have a kid. Like, I got real serious real fast.

[B]

I did not, I did not say I need to wife up. The second I got out of the military. That was me. No. But yeah, our senior, like you couldn't. You. You literally would get in serious trouble and potentially get kicked out if you were caught drinking underage there. If you. There's a whole honor code system cadet you not lie, cheat or steal nor tolerate those do. So if you're caught doing any one of those, you would get an honor board. And if it was serious enough, they people would literally get kicked out for lying, cheating or stealing.

[A]

Didn't you say you couldn't even leave campus until you were a junior?

[B]

No, you could leave campus. You. But it was certain times you had to earn a certain amount of leaves. Your freshman year, you could leave one time, the first semester, each semester. So. And then there was always Christmas break though. So Christmas break was a normal break.

[A]

I went home so much.

[B]

Yeah, well, but I was. This was also New York and I had to fly home. So it wasn't like I was. So I went when I had leave, I went to Boston. I had a good friend of mine that lived in Boston. And then when I was older, we went down to the city. So in New York City. So we would go down the city all the time, especially our senior year. And you could have a car. The only time you could have a car on campus. I think you could do it now as a junior, but when I was there was a senior. So the only time you could have a car was your senior year, you know, and to make it worse, this car, you had to park it. And I'm not. This is no joke. You had to park it about a mile away from where you. Where you like lived. And it was high and it was uphill because that's where the cadet parking lot was. I think just make it more sucky. I don't know what it was. Literally you would walk up a hill. So it was this like 20, 30 minute thing that you'd be like, okay, all right. Stupid car. So, like, people just didn't leave and go like to the movies in the middle of the week because it was such a pain in the butt to go get your stupid car.

[A]

Well, and I was about to say, I can see now how your bond would be strong because you guys were forced in captivity there where you couldn't leave. So, like, of course you had to hang. You had to make your own fun.

[B]

Yeah, there's a lot of stu. There's so many. Like, I'm sure there's some. Maybe there's like a couple academy people are listening. But there are some weird traditions and things that we've had and you do and you.

[A]

Just out of boredom.

[B]

Yeah. It's probably what most of it out is out of. But anyway, so did that was commissioned in the military, I went and became an armor officer and I went into the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment. So I was kind of a cavalry officer, even though it was a armor officer brand or the armor branch, but I was a CAB officer.

[A]

And you hear that name armor in there?

[B]

It is.

[A]

Okay, Forecasting for foreshadowing.

[B]

Should we skip ahead and insert voice and. No.

[A]

No.

[B]

Okay. All right, well, that'll be.

[A]

Keep going.

[B]

Yeah, that'd be too much to. To. To do.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Anyway, so I served five years. I did a deployment in Bosnia, which dates me as well. And after five years, I chose to leave the military and go into the corporate world.

[A]

He got a purple Heart in Bosnia.

[B]

I did do that.

[A]

I do know that it did happen. And we get to park up front in select restaurants and it's kind of a weird. Like if it's a weird feeling to be able to park up front because your husband got hit with a grenade.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So every time we do it, I go, thank you for your service, babe. It's very weird.

[B]

Thanks BJ's for letting me park up.

[A]

Front because I got hit by a grenade.

[B]

Yeah, it's. Yeah. I mean, that's a whole other story and thing, but it's. It was a. I would say my deployment and just amongst a lot of other things, there's. It opens your eyes up, especially as a very young man, to what the reality of the world is and.

[A]

And how good we have it.

[B]

Well, that's.

[A]

People don't even know.

[B]

And that's where I would go back in. My perspective truly is based on my experiences of seeing things outside this comfort that we have. And despite how frust, you know, how much conflict we have between a lot of people in this, in this country that want to create conflict, whether you're.

[A]

Left or right, and the flaws that our country has.

[B]

But, but the thing is, is even with that, it's still the best system and I've seen the worst of the worst in humanity and people can be bad and we're, we are really, really blessed to be able to, I guess argue and be able to, you know, have an opinion, have opinions and make drama and you know, like so, you know, it's, it's, it is a different thing. And that's. That, you know, guided my perspective and that's not the reason why I got out. I got out just because tail end of my career, it became unfun and became more of a job. And I had one mentor in me that one time told me, he said this just becomes a job. Get out, do something else. Is your time to get better served. And I loved being a platoon leader.

[A]

Which is advice honestly, like your heart.

[B]

Needs to stay because it's not, it's not a extremely lucrative job. Now you retire, it's great, great benefits. I mean, people are well taken care of in the military. If you spend a full career and you generally retire with, you know, at least 50% of your, your pay plus, you know, insurance and things like that, it's good. And most people get jobs and heck, I would be retired right now. Think about this. I got, I was commissioned at 21. I would have retired at 41 if I was spent 20 years in. That's crazy, right? I mean I would. You can start other careers post. So there is, it is a great place to either start a career even for five years or spend 20 years and doing, I mean, I really genuinely enjoyed my military time. I just got up because the tail end of it was the stuff that I like doing. I was promoted beyond doing. And the amount of time you actually get to lead soldiers and do things that like what I thought the job was, which is a combat arms officer, became more staff related and that was the time to transition to the corporate world.

[A]

I want to take a moment really quick to talk about our sponsor of this podcast which is Seed Seed Symbiotic. I have been talking about that multiple times over on Instagram. I'm sure you've heard me talk talk about it. It is a game changer. It is a probiotic And a prebiotic. I first got into it when I was looking into why I have acne problems. And I learned so much about gut health affects your face and acne. And so that's when I dived into it. But why I keep taking it is because I don't have any bloating anymore. And then my cramps are minimal to non existent whenever I'm taking it regularly. I'm sure you've heard a lot of people say probiotics don't do anything, it's worthless. And what's happening with that is by the time it gets to our intestines, where it needs to be to help the poop and all the things it's been destroyed by our stomach acid and how they changed the game is they wrapped the probiotic in a prebiotic capsule. So the prebiotic protects it and then it can actually help your body and you can actually see changes by taking this probiotic with seed. So start a new healthy habit today by taking seed just like I have. Visit seed.combackslashredhead and use code REDHEAD25 to get 25% off of your first month of seeds. DS1 Daily Symbiotic. Again, that's seed.combackslashredHead. i keep wanting to say backsplash but that ain't it. Seed.combackslash redhead and use code REDHEAD25 or you can always find the link in our show notes. Okay, so now can I. Can I tell this part?

[B]

Sure.

[A]

So now Mike, you could probably do.

[B]

It in more brevity than I can.

[A]

Less details. So sweet. Baby Mike, how old are you? 27. Yeah, 27. 26 to 27 year old. Baby Mike just about to be 27.

[B]

That's right.

[A]

Just about to be 27. Baby Mike lands himself working for a company called. Don't tell me. Hold on. I know it. Something with Boston.

[B]

Wrong.

[A]

I mean, hold on.

[B]

Became. Became something with Boston.

[A]

Oh really?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Okay, I don't remember the first part.

[B]

It's called guidance.

[A]

Guidance. That's right. I didn't know that. So he lands himself a job in the medical device sales to where he actually serves his whole rest of his corporate career before he leaves it to do armor.

[B]

Literally 17 years doing nearly the exact same job in different roles from clinical to sales to management director role. And it was two companies, four companies, but actually two because guiding got acquired by Boston and then he moved to another company called St. Jude which got acquired by Abbott and all great companies. Was an awesome career.

[A]

I was, I remember when I met you and you said you worked for St. Jude. I was like, oh, my gosh, that's. Wow. So good of you to work for that cancer. The cancer group for children. And he goes. He goes, yeah, that's not it. He goes, a lot of people think that. And we just kind of Nod, but that's 100%. That's not what we work for.

[B]

There was the role I was in when I was with that company was still as a sales rep. And we actually got to work in the surgery with the doctors. And then we would see patients and I'd wear scrubs and check people's pacemakers and defibrillators. Part of the sales or there was a clinical engineering role. Part of it, which was, I guess part of my engineering job was. Was coming into it because it was a very nerdy yet personable sales. Like, it was very clinical relationships and relationships. It matched my personality well. And I did enjoy it. And I was really lucky. I had a lot of awesome customers that I worked. I used to have friends of mine. A lot of doctors that I were. My clients are still friends to this day with me.

[A]

They get on the show every once in a while.

[B]

That's right.

[A]

Let me renovate their homes.

[B]

It's true. But then. But with the patients we had, I mean, I had a lot of elderly patients that would give me like, oh, Mike, I am so happy I have this pacemaker because I give money to. Was it Danny White's organization? I give your company money every month. And I'm like, first I was like, no, you don't. Like, it's a different company. And I eventually just got him like, well, I'm just gonna let the figment of the illusion. You know what? Thank you. Thank you. That means a lot. Because it wasn't worth, like, trying to explain it because people like that doesn't make sense. Yeah, one's a charity. This is a for profit company. Like, but it was.

[A]

That is hilarious.

[B]

But it was a cool job. I got to work in. In really. It was a very unique job. And I probably without having the military experience and the West Point background, I don't think I would have. I deserved any right to be in that job as a engineer and then an armor tanker cavalry officer to be able to get a job in clinical work that was working with doctors. Like, again, you're smart.

[A]

I don't think that's right.

[B]

But, you know, there's so many people that nurses and physicians, assistants and even doctors, like, people are so many people that specialize.

[A]

But you even said a lot of West Pointers were ended up in your position.

[B]

Which is why I would say the. My predecessors prove themselves. Somebody took a risk on somebody and said, hey, let's give this man or woman a chance, and they succeed. And I think it's that drive and that autonomy that. That's one thing I think a lot. At least for me. It's. It's. You have to have a. Like a lot of autonomy and be able to figure things out. And that's one of the reasons why I took the job. Even. I had a job offer with Kraft in Chicago.

[A]

Cheese?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Like Mac and cheese?

[B]

Yeah. And they were gonna send me.

[A]

What the heck were you thinking? You should have done that.

[B]

I know. I could have sold Kraft macaroni and cheese. But it was for a marketing.

[A]

I don't know if that would have been impressive when I met you.

[B]

It was for a brand manager job. And they were gonna pay for my MBA to go to, like, Kellogg, which is one of the top schools in the world. That was one of my goals, was to get the mba. And I paused it just because of how expensive.

[A]

How did I not know that story? That's hilarious to me.

[B]

So here's. There's two things. And I'm not going to say this was the best reason, and this is the honest button. Why I chose to go to the medical sales world is. It was.

[A]

That's the nurses. You wanted to meet a hot nurse. You wanted to meet a hot nurse.

[B]

That's it. That. That was the reason. It's all about the nurses.

[A]

I thought so. I knew it. Freaking knew it.

[B]

No, it was. It was. Number one, the pay was better in medical devices. Let's be honest. That was like the first thing there was. The pay was better. Number two, it wasn't in an office. And that was. I remember walking through the craft headquarters and was all these cubicles and all these things. And I'm like, so you have to come in every single day. And that's what my last six months in the army was. I was working in a staff job and it was like going into the queue. Yeah.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

And I hated it.

[A]

Right. A lot of men do not do well.

[B]

I like going. And was.

[A]

A lot of women don't do well with it.

[B]

Awful. And so the thought of having to go to this cubicle every day and do all like. It was just. It just didn't energize me. And the third thing, and this is really where I would say some of the drive aspect. I. I really was going back and forth and like, okay, what a value am I providing? And the medical world, that was like medical advice was like, okay, what we're working with patients are generally saving lives, improve people's lives, save them. And I get to work with patients. How awesome is that? And then this one, I'm selling cheese. I'm selling. Not just cheese. I'm selling processed cheese.

[A]

You take it back. Selling Mac and cheese is more important than you're leaving it to me.

[B]

I know.

[A]

No, I get what you're saying. I think that's a great choice. I think it.

[B]

Yeah, it's.

[A]

And especially. Okay, so how many years ago is this? Over 20 something years. I. I don't know if men. I don't know. The times are changing. Right towards women are working too. And women can be the breadwinners. But like back then, you also. No, I'm saying, were you thinking more like when men probably choose like money, they're thinking, I'm gonna have to provide for a family sometime. And it might get on my shoulders.

[B]

You know, there's. And this will like if part of this is even the aspect of a lot of men. We put value. And women do this as well. I'm sure they do. I can only speak for myself and generalize men, but it's love.

[A]

Generalizing gender, it won't get us to get canceled.

[B]

But for the most part, I mean, at least the buddies and people that I know a lot of men with this we keep. We get affirmation through external rewards that come from work. Work is really ingrained into the importance of our psyche of saying, if you do this, you're providing for your family and you'll also be able to protect your family. So it does. It makes. The providing aspect of it is just ingrained, at least in me. Absolutely ingrained. Like that is part of my duty, my role, my responsibility as a man. And then maybe eventually a father, maybe eventually a husband. All the things in a part of that is. That is an important component of it was a piece of it. And so, yeah, you know, the ability to make money, it's not just to make money. It's also to provide for them. That's part of it. Right. But then there's that ego aspect and men also. And I had a struggle with it as a young man. I start, you know, like, you want a more. You want to be able to have a job and affirmations and successes and things to be able to like to have that boost you up and say you're doing great, you've done this. And you. And that makes you feel good. But if you keep, you know, like, for me, keeping to continue to chase, that isn't healthy. It's not healthy. And it took, it did take me a while to kind of get out of that rat race. And that's the reality of it. It's like, okay, what's the next? What's the next? What's next? And there's a certain point where you have to say, there is no next.

[A]

Honestly, I feel like that's even a good segue into 2000.

[B]

That's right.

[A]

17 or 18. That's when there was a really big change in our home as far as like how Mike was feeling. Mike, I feel like if you've lived with a spouse who didn't like their job and you knew it and it was very apparent, you know, how hard it is and how it disrupts the whole dynamic, especially within a marriage. We weren't struggling like that luckily, but it, his, his unhappiness. And he wasn't like crying to me and miserable, but he just wasn't like happy at the end of the day. And he's like, I really don't love my job anymore and I'm not getting fulfillment from it or like purpose. And so what happened is over time, whenever he would always be exhausted or like annoyed, I think that's a better word, annoyed with his job. It would like come on to me. And then I would feel that pressure too, to where. And then finally I'd. I would be like, you can't stay here. Like, you have to be happy. You're working full time. You have to keep working. I'm not working. I can work, but that's like a whole conversation that we're gonna have to talk about. So I think the easiest job. We don't know what my future holds. I could work for. I'm working now, but I didn't know that I was a stay at home mom back then. And I, you know, it was more so just like it. But that doesn't matter. It's like each individual in life to be really happy and so that you have to take on each person to make them feel whole and whatever they're missing. And so.

[B]

But this. But I want to make sure people don't just chase happiness. Because if you're chasing something for the next best, that's also not a healthy thing to do.

[A]

No, Mike's was different. Mike. Mike. Not to cut you off, but I don't know if you'll remember this. Mike's was more like he was frustrated with the work and family balance. And so there was a lot of times where you were on call on weekends and our kids were getting older and things were missed. We were missing. You were missing things or you were.

[B]

Just traveling a lot earlier?

[A]

Traveling a ton. And so we kind of started to get to a place where we were like, this money is a blessing. Mike was doing very well. He had built a very successful career, and I was so proud of him for that. But it got to the point where we were like, we would look at each other and I said, I, I am okay if we have to sell our house and downsize. You just need to find something that makes you happy because you can't come home and be at night when we're talking, when we're talking during our show or whatever. And only I just want to see you, like, excited about something again. And what excitement meant for Mike. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it meant basically a promotion to vp. But if he made vp, he was going to be gone, building that back up. And it was a total, like, opposite of what we were trying to achieve.

[B]

Yeah. So in that same time, I, I went to get my mba, so I went to an executive SM program here at smu and it was an awesome program and, you know, did pull me away on the weekends. I know James has talked about this in the past. It was when Berkeley was young and. But my part of my initial intent was like, okay, I'm gonna, I'm gonna do this program. Another benefit was partially paid for by the military from a GI Bill. And it was running out. I had like a 15 year timeline to use this. And I was like, well, I might as well take advantage of this. So we did. I went to the program and that the initial intent was thinking, hey, this is going to help for promotion to continue to move on.

[A]

Which I knew was not it. Well, I was like, this is not gonna help you. You would move up without this.

[B]

Don't even play me maybe this part of. But it was also, you know, again, I, I wanted to learn. There's things that I genuinely want to learn. Like I didn't understand finance well, and I'm glad I went to the program. Still understand finance better and business acquisitions and things like that that I didn't understand. Yeah, that. That's part of that program. But during that program, there was a job that came up available in my, in my area, and that was the one. I was like, hey, this is the time I'm gonna, you know, put my name in the hat for this, I want to know. And I was, I was passed over for that VP role for the first time. And it was that the internal look like, do I want this job? Is this the right thing? And I remember having a conversation. One of the, one of the individuals higher than me and I kind of had the conversation. He's like, look, you kind of. He basically said it correctly and I'm glad he told me. He was like, he basically said, you want your cake in you too. You don't want to move, you don't want to travel and you want the next role. And I was like, yeah, yeah, what's the problem? But the reality is that wasn't the react. That isn't reality.

[A]

You're also missing something too. When you start hitting those vice president roles, I'm sorry, but you got to be a yes man. That's what they want. They don't want someone coming in here and disrupting things. Right. And Mike is not a yes man. If something's not going to work, if he doesn't agree with it, he's going to freaking say it. And I've always respected you for that. You are no yes man. You are no Yes, I will pop over there right now. Yes, I will take this person to dinner because you want me to. Yes, I will.

[B]

No, it's. You'll do what's right for the business and I'll do what's right. That's needed to do to be able to drive.

[A]

It wasn't you. It was. But it's family strengthening job. It wasn't.

[B]

No. And I, look, I give everyone credit to do it. I have a lot of friends that are in that role and they, they're able to manage it and more power to them. But I just know my binary way of looking at things is either all in or then I get frustrated.

[A]

You just made me sound mean.

[B]

No, but it's.

[A]

I'm just talking about us. It wasn't, it wasn't a job.

[B]

It's a tough job.

[A]

It's.

[B]

There are a lot of people in that world. Again, every family is different. Every person's different. Every dynamic's different than some spouses have, have people that travel five days a week, then come on the weekends and it works for them.

[A]

Right.

[B]

It just wasn't going to. Personally, it wasn't going to work for me.

[A]

Right.

[B]

Because I had too much, I had too much guilt to be gone. I didn't want to have that for my family. It was something I didn't want. And that was the point where I was. I became, again, I was comfortable in my role. I realized I did not want to move up because I didn't want to travel anymore. But then I was tremendously bored in the job I was doing. Although I liked the people, I had an awesome team. I have so many good reps and people that worked with me and co managers and directors that were like friends, genuine friends of mine. But the job became monotonous. It was the same job for too long. And that is just not. I wasn't building and creating anything anymore.

[A]

So a little fun fact about Mike. He's had. I call Armor coffee idea number 89, because this man had a new business idea every probably four months. He's always been like that.

[B]

Can I name a couple?

[A]

He's very. Yes. He's a very entrepreneurial. Entrepreneurial spirit.

[B]

I had. I had a. So I have all business plans. Right. And I have an indoor motorsport company which now exists. They're called, like Andretti's and whatnot. But I was like, I'm gonna do electric cars inside. It's gonna be awesome. Well, there's a business for that now.

[A]

He always creates things that actually get created really soon.

[B]

I actually have a pending patent on a. On a pillbox that actually helps you manage your medication. Yeah, I have a. What else? I had a vintage car that I wanted to restore vintage cars and motorcycles and turn them into like, electric vehicles. So I have like old school, like 60s and 70s vehicles with EV.

[A]

Okay, right.

[B]

That was called Bang Shift Motor. So it's gonna be a good one.

[A]

It's actually kind of cool name.

[B]

Yeah, that was the name of that one.

[A]

Okay, you had the Health Med Spa.

[B]

Yes, that was.

[A]

You actually had a whole storefront with, like stickers.

[B]

Yeah, I was about to do it and then pulled out of the lease, but. Yeah, and then I had. Yeah, that one was. Yeah, that would have. Again, all these things were. Were so my things I wanted to do.

[A]

Yeah, Mike. So, Mike. For a long time, sadly, it's like.

[B]

A lot of ideas I just could never get to execution because part of it was. I was. I had to say this. My career was going so well that it's hard to leave a job. And it becomes almost scarier when you have a lot of delta from the risk of like, I'm going to leave this job. And then what if now the truth is. Fast forward along, you know, forward. And we talked about this. What's the worst case scenario? You know? You know, God forbid the business fails. It stinks. I Can find another job. I have a lot of. I have a lot of skill in industry that I was in. I could go back and work in or even take a job that was, you know, a little entry position to do it. We could find a job to be able to make means. I think part of it is that early on was like, the risk and the fear of, like, if this fails, this is gonna work. And running from failure was initially kind of some of my resistance to starting these businesses earlier on.

[A]

Oh, I get that. I'm not a risky person whatsoever. I feel like.

[B]

Says the entrepreneur herself now.

[A]

Well, I mean, I started a business from my house.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And so it's a little different. I feel like it wasn't super risky. I was just risking my time, honestly, you know.

[B]

Well, it's. Yeah. I mean, we talked a little bit about that, but it was that whole conversation, like, make it a hobby or make it a job.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Make your choice. And it's okay because you were. But you were. You've always. You were. You've. You've always treated it like a job. But. So let's fast forward back into the armor Coffee because the business, the last business we had and the one that I was fully moving forward with was Armory Co working facility. Armory Co working and cafe.

[A]

Oh, my gosh. Yeah, that's right. I forgot about that.

[B]

So that's the plan that happened after my mba. And I was like, this is genius. My mind, it was genius because I liked. I like, it was good. The way I look at businesses, find something there's a need for and create a solution for it. It's not that simple. Like, and make sure people can pay more than you pay for. Then you make money. It's like, it's, you know, it's not the most difficult concept, but it's also at the same time finding something that really needs it.

[A]

Right.

[B]

So the Armory was a co working facility that had a cafe and a coffee shop connected to.

[A]

Right.

[B]

And that was the business. I was like, we're moving forward. And it went. We. I had a full business plan. I even lined up financing. We didn't.

[A]

We almost signed the lease.

[B]

We were at a letter of intent for building. And the only reason happened is, you know, you pray through things a lot in genera of faith. And we really go deep into like, hey, God, give us, give us direction this one. My brother was going to be my ops partner on this, and he ended up getting a really unbelievably awesome opportunity with commissioned artwork pieces. My brother's a Fan.

[A]

Fantastic.

[B]

If you don't look him up. John at John Todrick at Jonathan Todrick on Instagram. He's an amazing. Yeah, amazing artist. So take a look at his art. But he ended up.

[A]

That was the right move for him.

[B]

Oh my gosh. Yes. And he's, he was praying about it and he was like, look, my heart's not here because this is what my, you know, this has been my dream. And the timing was, you know, it was first I was like, man, it's hard to hear but man, I give him so much credit for telling me early on because we didn't sign the lease. So point is, I'm looking at this lease after my brother tells me it's a day after he tells me I'm sitting in this coffee shop. Was my local coffee shop. And my mentality is like, you went this far, you can figure it out, you can find another ops partner, you can do it.

[A]

Scary to do it alone.

[B]

Yeah, but it's scary. But I'm like, should I do this? Should I not do this? And again, you know, God, give me, give me some direction and idea what to do at this point because I don't, you know, have basically a week to be able to determine to sign this lease or not. And so the lease is out on the table. My computer is open and I open up my email as the stuff is there and there's an email randomly from a broker, a business broker. And again I truth today, I do not know how this broker got my email. I don't know. Yeah, but it says coffee shop for sale in Collin County.

[A]

Mike, I thought you found it on a online like a listing.

[B]

It popped up on an email.

[A]

Oh my gosh, did I forget this?

[B]

It popped up on the email. Coffee shop for sale in Collin County. It was a, it was a non disclosed one, but it was like exclusive drive through next to an event center. And I'm like, that's this coffee shop. I'm sitting in my local coffee shop and remember, so.

[A]

Oh.

[B]

So the wheels, the wheel started turning and it was, it was a, it was a small shop. It was, it was, they had a really good staff of people. There was, it was kind of a strange layout. There was things I felt that could be improved.

[A]

That design. It looks super outdated. Coffee shop from the 90s kinda.

[B]

Well, it was 90s and then they did like a, like a kind of a face job to, to, to try to sell it, I think. But again they, they were, they were doing their best for what they had and they just were time to run, you know, to move on with it. So, yeah, I remember coming back and talking to Jen about this and that weekend, I think it was a Sunday or Saturday, I was telling you, then we went to church and I said, let's drive to the drive through. You said, can I go talk? Remember I went to the drive through and I talked to the one of the kids that were at the window and was like, is your owner here? And they're like, yeah, he's here.

[A]

Oh, yeah, I remember.

[B]

And I drove you home, dropped you off, came back, ended up talking to this guy.

[A]

And you know what? Yeah, I think this is a good place to put a pin in it. I love it.

[B]

And then what happened?

[A]

Part two of how the heck Armor came to be, how it came about. We're going to talk kind of about the struggles, a lot of questions that you guys asked about dealing with fear and doubt. What does business look like now versus when we started? What's the market like? What's the hardest part about being entrepreneur? We're really going to dive into some questions that we've gotten and we'll talk about our business specifically. And the best part about it is part two is available to listen to right now. So you can go ahead and click over on. On part two.

[B]

Can I ask you one question?

[A]

Please do.

[B]

Do you like Risk?

[A]

I hate Risk.

[B]

It's a fun game.

[A]

Oh, the board game? I've never played it.

[B]

Well, then how can you say you don't like Risk?

[A]

I just don't like taking risks. I don't like gambling and stuff. On that note, that's what I'm talking about. All right, go listen to part two. Thanks. Bye Bye. You, me and Mike is a production of the Rambling Redhead from thirteen Media.

[B]

Subscribe to the show on Apple podcasts or wherever podcasts are available. While you're at it, leave us a five star rating.

[A]

While you're there, have an idea for a topic you'd like us to discuss? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or send us a message on Instagram. We would love to share your idea on the show. For a daily dose of our crazy lives, follow us on Instagram thereambling Redhead and Ike Todrick and catch no Demo Renault on hgtv. Remember, part two is ready to be listed. Listen to right now. So go do that.