Community Highlights: Meet Christian J. Lynch of Phase 2 Coffee

Hi Christian, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born February 1999 in Kanas City raised by a firefighter and an Executive Administrator mother not only in the workplace but at home too haha. I am the oldest of 4 siblings so I am used to being the one who has always gone first and failing which makes sense being in the entrepreneurial world. I know my parents have always been harder on me than the rest of my siblings ever since I was a young boy, especially my mom. I used to think it was a curse but now that I have grown up a bit, it is more of a blessing in disguise because it has shaped me to who I am today.

I have been an entrepreneur ever since I was 8 years old even though I didn’t know it at the time. I started off selling soda and cookies with my younger brother at our grandma’s garage sale. I remember making $52 and I thought that was a million dollars at the age of 8. I do remember loving the process more of just the fact that I had a product and I had the ability to give someone value and in exchange getting paid. So the races were off from there as each summer I upped my game from selling soda and cookies to bakugons, nerf toys, clothes and anything I didn’t need that would make me money.

From there, I was forced to travel with my dad as he had a part time tile business and observed and learned the craft. My dad also made a lawn business with me and my brother when we were 12 and 10(we hated him for it at the time) . What my parents didn’t know is that they were subconsciously raising a young entrepreneur. Fast forward life and I am 20 years old in community college and taking classes I hated and not knowing what I wanted to do. Covid struck and it was the best thing that has ever happened to me because it gave me time to reflect on what I was truly passionate about and what I was good at. So long story short I gave my vision to my younger brother and in the year of 2020, we grew our dying mowing company. Our dad started from 11 clients and $1600 a month in revenue to over 30 clients and $8000 in revenue.

That inspired me to start an entrepreneur podcast called “Purpose, Passion and Coffee” where I interview all different entrepreneurs across the world to educate and inspire people like me. After launching and building the podcast up I officially started my dream coffee company in April of 2021 with my co-founder Noah Mills called Phase 2. Today I operate and oversee two companies and an entrepreneur podcast in which my favorite part about it all is being in love with the process of building and growing.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not a smooth road. I think if you have a smooth road in Entrepreneurship more than likely you probably aren’t doing something right haha. One of the biggest struggles that I have dealt with is negative feedback/comments about me dropping out of college and even more of a struggle when it is from friends and family saying “you need a college degree to be successful” or “what if your business does not work out, what will you have?” If that sounds familiar to others my biggest advice is give empathy in those moments as sometimes even the people closest to you will not always understand your vision and that is OKAY. Also, you FAIL a lot and you have to get used to it but know how to shift your perspective and use it for positive reflection and not take failure too personal. One of my personal struggles is feeling alone a decent amount of times.

While most of my peers/friends will be going on vacations or hanging in the city, I am usually at home grinding away working on both of my businesses or my podcast. In those times I have to remind myself of what I am trying to accomplish and “why” I started on this journey.

As you know, we’re big fans of Phase 2 Coffee Co. . For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about the brand?
Phase 2 is a traveling coffee cart that goes to any special event that a person might have whether it’s a wedding or business event. The concept came from me and my business partner Noah Mills with being able to travel while also not having any overhead from a classic brick and mortar shop or even being stuck in one place. Kansas City has had some coffee trailers before or even some carts but the carts have come after an already established coffee company from a brick and mortar building.

We wanted to change up the game in Kansas City and brand ourselves as “The Coffee Cart of Kansas City.” Our brand name Phase 2 comes from two young boys who are willing to take the risk and step out and pursue their next “phase” in life in hopes of inspiring others to do the same. We definitely want to be known as the best tasting coffee in the greater KC area with the help of our local KC wholesale partner “Oddly Correct.” I want the brand to be known for more than just coffee and also a brand that supports young entrepreneurs and creatives in pursuing their dreams especially in the Gen Z field. In the next 5 years we will be building a brand that partners with ambassadors who represent what Phase 2 embodies to create a positive environment not only in the city but on social media.

What does success mean to you?
I believe success looks different for everyone but success for me personally is knowing my purpose here in this life while pursuing my dream and inspiring others to do the same no matter where they are at in life.