What does it really take to turn a simple cup of coffee into a thriving community hub? Is the American dream of entrepreneurship still alive in today’s specialty coffee scene? And how does someone go from spinning records in nightclubs around the world to roasting coffee beans in a quiet seaside town?

Behind every successful small business is a story of reinvention, risk, and resilience. True entrepreneurship often looks less glamorous than people imagine—it’s built on consistency, grit, and showing up even when the work feels ordinary. Personal background, an eye for opportunity, and a deep connection to community can turn a business into something far greater than its product, especially when adaptability and long-term commitment lead the way.

In this episode, Oliver Kotelnikov explores Ben Cook’s remarkable journey—from a bohemian upbringing in Berkeley and a thriving DJ career across New York and Europe, to becoming the owner of Better Living Through Coffee in Port Townsend. Together, they unpack lessons from family entrepreneurship, the influence of music and travel, the realities of staff culture, and the challenges—both literal and figurative—of running an independent café, all while debunking myths about what success really looks like.

If this conversation sparked ideas about entrepreneurship, community, or redefining success, take the next step—listen to the full episode, visit or support Better Living Through Coffee, and subscribe, share, or leave a review.

Guest Links:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/benjamincook2
Company: ptcoffee.com
Email: ben@ptcoffee.com

Connect with Oliver:
Email: oliver@ibainc.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/oliverkotelnikov
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NextVentureAlliance
Instagram: instagram.com/nextventurealliance

• (00:00:00) - The Next Venture: What It Takes to Build a Business
• (00:00:38) - In the Elevator With Oliver Kotelnikov
• (00:01:34) - The Story of Pete's Coffee and Starbucks
• (00:06:42) - When Did Coffee and You First Cross paths?
• (00:08:12) - Top Coffee Producers on Their Coffee
• (00:12:39) - The Importance of the Harvest Festival
• (00:17:00) - How to Keep Your Place in the Business
• (00:18:09) - Being a rebel at school
• (00:26:17) - The cafe's relaxed culture
• (00:31:50) - The golden years of your life
• (00:36:51) - On Growing Up Without A Helicopter
• (00:38:58) - Dance Lessons For Young People In The 90s
• (00:41:47) - Living in the Ghettos of Oakland
• (00:45:31) - Talking Heads on His Discography
• (00:49:45) - Ben Collins on Working With Rick Rubin
• (00:54:28) - "For the Sake of Art"
• (00:55:15) - Benji On The End of His Music Career
• (01:00:40) - Maroon 5 on Starting a Record Label
• (01:06:02) - How I Learned To Stop Worrying About My Job
• (01:08:04) - Bailing out on a boat
• (01:13:10) - The culture of working in Russia
• (01:16:37) - "Seven Times I Went to Moscow"
• (01:21:04) - In the Elevator With Bernie
• (01:26:48) - The life of a farm hand
• (01:31:11) - Baristas on Buying a Coffee Shop
• (01:36:14) - Becoming an Owner of a Coffee Company
• (01:40:44) - The cafe that survived the Great Recession
• (01:41:52) - Bill Gates on Consistency
• (01:47:11) - One of the managers at Nordstrom's said
• (01:52:53) - Portland Coffee Roasters on their Coffee
• (01:57:56) - Better Living Through Coffee
• (02:01:39) - Sip & Coffee: Better Living Through the Coffee
• (02:07:10) - A Pink Floyd Song