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

What if the evolving landscape of hospitality isn’t just about changing consumer behavior — but a signal for advisors and brokers to rethink how they guide client success? Are you equipping your clients with data-driven strategies, or relying on assumptions shaped by a different era?

In this episode, Jason Brandt, President and CEO of the Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association, along with Joseph Holcraft, hospitality M&A advisor at IBA, explore why past experience alone is no longer enough to stay ahead.

Together, they unpack labor market realities, leadership challenges, and the risks of static thinking. From the quiet power of engaged teams to the growing role of innovation — including AI, tax strategy, and evolving guest expectations — the conversation highlights how authentic listening and strategic partnerships create long-term resilience.

If you’re ready to move beyond hoping for better conditions — and start intentionally shaping the future of your deals and advisory practice — subscribe for more grounded conversations designed to help you grow your deal flow and strengthen your role as a trusted advisor.

Guest Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonmbrandt/
Company: https://www.oregonrla.org/
Email: jbrandt@oregonrla.org

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) - Next Venture: What It Takes to Build a Business
• (00:01:55) - Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association President and CEO
• (00:05:04) - Restaurant Hotel Owners: The New Normal
• (00:07:54) - What Needs to Change in the Hospitality Industry?
• (00:11:48) - Restaurant Review: The New Model
• (00:23:24) - Oregon and California: Tip Credits vs. Minimum Wage
• (00:26:26) - Oregon's minimum wage law
• (00:30:06) - Oregon Tourism Jobs: Save Tourism Jobs
• (00:36:47) - Do Small Businesses Need SBA Financing?
• (00:40:55) - ORLA: What Business Owners Should Know About ORLA
• (00:53:13) - Restaurants and Hotels: Voices of the Industry
• (00:59:15) - The importance of skilled tax preparers in the hospitality industry
• (01:08:30) - Oregon's commitment to the hospitality industry
• (01:18:26) - Culinary and Business Management Teams Compete at Nationals
• (01:21:20) - Portland's food and culture scene
• (01:30:05) - Portland Business Talk: Hybrid Work
• (01:33:44) - What are some of the top resources in the kind of hospitality industry
• (01:40:53) - Setting the Table: Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential
• (01:46:30) - Restaurant and Lodging Industry Outlook for 2026
• (01:52:49) - Next Venture Alliance: Exploring the Future

What if putting off your “legal homework” is actually holding back your clients’ growth—and your own? Are you approaching deals transactionally, or are you ready to become the advisor who helps entrepreneurs thrive through preparation, proactive counsel, and hard-earned trust?

Winning as a broker isn’t just about managing the transaction—it’s about mindset. This episode underscores the transformational value of forward-thinking legal guidance, where preparation, candid conversations, and strategic relationships replace last-minute scrambling and fire drills. True dealmakers earn the right to advise by speaking the language of both business and risk—long before the signatures hit the page.

Michelle Bomberger, award-winning attorney and CEO of Equinox Business Law Group, sits down with Oliver to unpack what proactive, business-minded legal counsel looks like. She shares real scenarios in M&A, walks through the power—and pitfalls—of letters of intent, due diligence, reps and warranties, and even AI policy.

You’ll learn why the most successful brokers start building their client’s “legal data room” far ahead of the sale, how to become a true trusted advisor, and where future-ready legal strategy is headed for professional advisors.

Subscribe for more practical conversations on moving from transactional to transformational—so you can grow your pipeline by helping clients build businesses buyers actually want. Share this episode with a broker or advisor ready to lead the way.

Guest Links:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/michellebomberger/
Company: www.equinox.law
Email: michelle@equinoxbusinesslaw.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) - What Does It Take to Build a Startup?
• (00:00:34) - In the Elevator With Michelle Bomberger
• (00:04:28) - Legal Innovation: Celebrating our 20th Anniversary
• (00:11:15) - How to Plan for the Next 6 Months?
• (00:16:46) - How a Lawyer Can Help Business Owners
• (00:21:09) - Purchase and Sale Agreement
• (00:25:39) - What is a LOI and Is It Binding?
• (00:26:16) - Five Things in an LOI That Need to Be Included
• (00:27:41) - The Role of the Seller in a Sale
• (00:30:09) - Bradley: Trust and Confidence
• (00:36:12) - The role of planning in business
• (00:37:58) - 4 Things All Businesses Should Be Prepared for
• (00:41:39) - Invoicing and Defending the Contract
• (00:44:22) - What are some of those things that it should just be a flat
• (00:46:08) - Should the Owner Know What the Employees Know or Don't Know?
• (00:52:39) - Does a Small Deal Get More Money?
• (00:55:17) - Should I Review or Draft the Purchase and Sale Agreement?
• (00:57:07) - Reasons to Judge a Property Deal's Length
• (01:02:06) - Commercial Brokers Association document discussion
• (01:05:08) - Dispute Resolution Clauses in Contract
• (01:06:25) - Broker Talk: Trust in the Deal
• (01:12:24) - Experience is important in business law
• (01:20:56) - An Active Advisor Model
• (01:22:17) - Are We Adopting an AI Policy for our Business?
• (01:29:06) - Lawyers on AI: Where Are the Risks?
• (01:36:16) - Equinox CEO on Next Step for Entrepreneurs
• (01:44:08) - EO and Vistage: Are You Still a Member?
• (01:47:50) - The Future of the Purchase & Sale Agreement
• (01:53:35) - Next Venture Alliance: Happy New Year!