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
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.
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)
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)
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.
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.
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)
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).
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
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
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.