Why I Meet Clients Over Coffee

I do most of my first meetings over coffee. Buyers, sellers, the occasional referral. There's a reason for that, and it has nothing to do with the espresso.

Neutral ground does something to the conversation

Sitting at someone's kitchen table when they're about to sell their house puts them in a particular kind of mood. Sitting in an office puts them in a different one. A coffee shop is neither. It's the lowest-stakes version of a meeting that has, for most people, pretty high stakes — and the conversation tends to be more honest because of that.

It's easier to ask the small questions

Some of the most useful things I learn about a client come from the casual stretch of the conversation — the part where we're just talking, not yet "in the meeting." That part doesn't really happen in a conference room. It does happen while waiting for a latte.

Either side can leave when it makes sense

First meetings don't always need to be long. Sometimes they're 25 minutes and we both know if we're a fit. Sometimes they're 90 minutes and we're sketching out a six-month plan on a napkin. Coffee shops let either happen without anyone feeling like they have to perform.

If you want to grab time, pick the spot you like. I'm happy to come to you.