4 - Redefining Success: Finding Hope and Purpose as a Coffee Entrepreneur with Red White and Badass Brew's Dustin Hayes

Your host, Brad Hunter, talks with the CEO of Red White and Badass Brew, Dustin Hayes. Growing up in Oklahoma, Dustin faced a challenging childhood marked by his mother's absence and his father's tough love. Dustin struggled in school due to undiagnosed ADHD and childhood trauma, which led to him being held back in first grade. Despite these early setbacks, Dustin's experiences laid the foundation for his future resilience in business and life.

Dustin's military service was a significant chapter in his life, shaping his approach to business and personal identity. After sustaining injuries and retiring from the military, he faced a tough transition to civilian life. The lack of support and training during this period left him struggling to find employment and a sense of purpose.

Determined to discover a new path, Dustin took on a handyman job and eventually started his own construction business. This venture gave him a taste of entrepreneurship and a renewed sense of direction. However, the road ahead was far from smooth.

Dustin opened up about his hardships, including a partnership that soured, leading to financial ruin and losing his home. Personal struggles also weighed heavily on him, as he dealt with his son's drug issues and his daughter's suicide attempt. These events brought him to the brink of despair.

It was a friend's intervention that finally pulled Dustin back from the edge and helped him start the journey toward healing. Coffee became a beacon of hope during this dark time, and it was this simple pleasure that sparked the idea for Red White and Badass Brew.

To learn more about Dustin's work, check out their website HERE.

Connect with Dustin on LinkedIn HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Brad's work at Emerge Labs? Check out their website HERE.