Happy New Year

Hellllooooo and happy 2025! 🎉 For whatever that is worth… I mean, I do think time markers are helpful for reflection, as well as setting goals. It’s also Epiphany (was on Monday), which I felt, between the two, I wanted to start the year off with something a little different and baptize you with some thoughts and updates from this kooky mind.

 

First, I haven’t really been as front and center as I have been in the past. There are reasons for that. But I have also been recently challenged by a friend to reconsider that, and the implications of it. I am still contemplating how I want my role to fit in and whether I want to really be known in the business, but ultimately, if I am being really honest with myself, the brand, including it’s evolution over the years, is inextricably tied to me and my journey. So maybe I should be more engaged with our customers? The last time I really took on that role intentionally, was 2022. 

 

So if you’re reading this and are a newer customer, and maybe don’t know me as well, welcome! I am Michael, the wild neurodivergent brain behind Mad Priest who occasionally dresses in a cassock or takes confession. No, I am not ordained (more on that later)… yet.

 

But don’t be fooled, the people alongside me are a huge piece of the story. Honestly the bigger piece, as we wouldn’t exist without them. If you come into our retail shop, you come for people like Tarig or Abby, and all the other awesome baristas we have. We have an amazing Roaster, Genifer, with a plethora of experience and expertise. We have an amazing production team, one of which, Q Bosolini, just crossed his 4 year mark. 

 

Anyway, I plan to share more in the coming weeks and months regarding myself, the brand, why we do what we do, what we say what we say, and where we are going. I am really excited about some things we have in the works, but ultimately we’re here to just buy good coffee (more on what defines “good” coming soon), roast it well, and ensure you stay caffeinated and enjoy your morning cup.

 

So thank you to all our faithful disciples, both new and old! And huge thanks to our awesome team! 

 

But most importantly… a shout out and thank you to all the individuals that take time out of their busy schedules to email or message me their thoughts and disapprovals on my company and brand! I genuinely love that they think that I am somehow impacted by their lack of patronage. I truly enjoy getting them and the laughter they bring me. My hope is that this year you may learn to be more curious and nuanced. And if not, there are PLENTY of other coffee companies you can spend your money. :)

 

So raise a theoretical digital cup of coffee ☕ in honor of becoming a more curious and nuanced people! And for those who choose not to, I, nor my team, have any f*cks to give ;)

 

(But still send funny emails, please and thank you)

 

P.S. I am simply an email away. I truly enjoy engaging with my “flock” if you will… if you have questions, thoughts, or just wanna engage in a healthy manner, there’s a high likelihood I will respond, especially if your order got messed up (we are unfortunately not perfect, but always practice penance when mistakes are made). I enjoy healthy dialogue and banter, and find it cathartic and important to the betterment of our society and world. I don’t expect to always agree with everyone or them with me, but that’s just a silly notion - this idea that we file ourselves into camps and categories and feed the culture war, is something I do not align with. But we can still engage and learn from one another. Hence our phrase we’ve adapted for several years now … “Coffee for the curious”… peace and love ✌️

 

Oh, and of course as always, Get Mad, Stay Blessed!

+Michael