Documenting the Journey Part 2: Have you ever been close to going out of business? - Interview with Velez
Release Date: 03/16/2025
Julius Filez
In this raw, unfiltered interview, Jasan and Matt dive deep into the struggles, mistakes, growth, and unspoken pain behind Coffee Junkiez and Pizza Junkiez. From the fight with red tape to build a business, to the emotional loss that started it all, this is the episode that ties everything together. 00:00:00 Intro – Seeing the Sign Go Up 00:01:30 The Interview Jasan Avoided 00:03:58 How Matt Joined the Team 00:05:00 Red Tape and 18-Month Battle with the City 00:10:20 “All I Wanted Was to Sell Coffee and Pizza” 00:12:14 Driving to Kokomo Just to Try the Food 00:14:28...
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The Cost of Doing Business the Right Way - Documenting the Journey Season #2 Ep#17- Trish In this unfiltered, deeply personal episode, Trish and Jasan dive into what it really takes to build a business rooted in reputation, accountability, and character. From bold decisions and personal sacrifices to funny stories and real talk about relationships, this conversation hits hard. 🔥 Whether you're an entrepreneur, team leader, or just someone trying to find your place in the world, this episode will leave you thinking. Hard. Timestamps & Hot Key Moments: 00:00 - Intro: Scaling the...
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“Burnout is a luxury I never had.” In this raw, honest episode of The Julius Filez, we go deep into the personal sacrifices behind building Coffee Junkiez and Pizza Junkiez. Jasan opens up about the real price of entrepreneurship — from mental health and regret to leadership and loyalty. Whether you're a business owner, a dreamer, or someone in the middle of your own storm, this episode will either ground you… or wake you up. No fluff. No filters. Just truth. 👀 Key Moments with timestamps: 00:00:00 — “Burnout is a crock of sh*t” 00:00:49 — On cutting people out: protecting...
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In this emotional episode of Documenting the Journey (Chapter 2), we hear from Rebecca—the heart, and backbone of Coffee Junkiez & Pizza Junkiez. From the earliest days of the brand’s creation to the emotional highs and lows of entrepreneurship, she opens up about what it's really like to build something from the ground up—alongside your partner, your family, and your own evolving self. 📌 Topics Covered: ✅ The Emotional Reality of Starting a Business ✅ Leadership, Expectations & Unspoken Weight ✅ Why Personal Growth is the Hardest Part ✅ Building a Culture that Feels...
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In this episode of Documenting the Journey (Chapter 2), we sit down with Jasan Julius, the visionary behind Coffee Junkiez & Pizza Junkiez. He shares raw insights on business growth, leadership, work ethic, and community impact. From building a brand for 19 years to future franchising plans, Jasan breaks down what it truly takes to run a successful business. 📌 Topics Covered: ✅ How Coffee Junkiez Gives Back to the Community ✅ Why Work Ethic & High Standards Matter ✅ The Challenges of Running a Small Business ✅ Expanding to New Locations & Franchising Plans ✅ The...
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In this insightful interview, the founder of Coffee Junkiez and Pizza Junkiez shares his journey of entrepreneurship, the struggles of running a business, and the values that shape his leadership. From the challenges of hiring and firing to the unique story behind the famous Dorito Taco Pizza, this conversation highlights the importance of accountability, teamwork, and innovation in the food and beverage industry. Discover what it takes to build a business that lasts, navigate the toughest moments, and create a company culture where employees feel valued beyond just being a number. 00:00:00...
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In this episode of Documenting the Journey, Brian—who has worked with Jasan for 8 years—steps into the spotlight. They dive deep into why Coffee Junkiez & Pizza Junkiez are finally using third-party delivery services, the hard lessons of leadership, and how waste can destroy businesses. Jasan also shares his take on inflation, manufacturing, and the changing economy—with unfiltered opinions you won’t hear anywhere else. 💯🔥 Is third-party delivery killing small businesses? Is inflation really just about supply and demand? And what’s the #1 thing that destroys businesses from...
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This is the raw, unfiltered story of an entrepreneur who built his business from the ground up—driven by loss, resilience, and an unbreakable will. From overcoming the tragedy of losing his son to navigating the brutal world of business, this conversation reveals the emotional and psychological cost of success. 💬 "The only way this business fails is if I die." This isn’t your typical business motivation talk—it’s a reality check. Whether you're an entrepreneur, business owner, or just looking for inspiration, this story will challenge and move you. 📌 Timestamps: 00:00 - The Pain...
info_outlineJulius Filez
What does it really take to build a successful business? In this episode of Documenting the Journey, we sit down with the founder of Coffee Junkiez and Pizza Junkiez to uncover the raw truth about entrepreneurship, sacrifices, and scaling a business. From joking about a $1 million order at the drive-thru to sharing hard-earned lessons about business growth, team building, and customer loyalty—this conversation is packed with insights. 🔹 The importance of systems over people dependency 🔹 Why business is built on small sacrifices, not one big move 🔹 The toughest challenges of running...
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In this episode of Documenting the Journey, we dive into powerful insights about leadership, chasing potential, and the realities of entrepreneurship with Skyler and Jasan. This is a must-watch for anyone seeking inspiration and real talk about personal and professional growth. Video Highlights 00:00 - 00:00:26 - Skyler’s thoughts on limitless potential and personal growth. 00:00:27 - 00:00:49 - What makes Coffee Junkiez unique: Smooth yet strong blends. 00:00:49 - 00:01:03 - The shift from 'live to work' to 'work to live.' 00:01:03 - 00:02:25 - Skyler’s 6-year journey with...
info_outlineIn this insightful interview, the founder of Coffee Junkiez and Pizza Junkiez shares his journey of entrepreneurship, the struggles of running a business, and the values that shape his leadership. From the challenges of hiring and firing to the unique story behind the famous Dorito Taco Pizza, this conversation highlights the importance of accountability, teamwork, and innovation in the food and beverage industry.
Discover what it takes to build a business that lasts, navigate the toughest moments, and create a company culture where employees feel valued beyond just being a number.
00:00:00 - 00:00:03 – Opening Question
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Have you ever been close to going out of business?
00:00:03 - 00:00:05 – Entrepreneurship Struggles
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"I don’t have enough fingers and toes."
00:00:06 - 00:00:11 – Challenges of Letting Go
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Insights on hiring and firing struggles.
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Learning from a business coach about outsourcing difficult decisions.
00:00:19 - 00:00:23 – Innovation in Business
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The origin story of the Dorito Taco Pizza and how personal experiences influence menu creativity.
00:00:45 - 00:01:11 – Company Culture & Leadership
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Getting employees to understand the bigger picture.
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Aligning personal interests with the company’s success.
00:01:11 - 00:01:30 – Documenting the Business Journey
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The importance of sharing business growth over time.
00:01:30 - 00:02:20 – Employee Recognition & Loyalty
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Appreciation for committed employees.
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The impact of work ethic and reliability on business success.
00:02:26 - 00:02:58 – The Challenges of the Food & Beverage Industry
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Managing stress and pressure in a high-paced environment.
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Finding and retaining reliable employees.
00:03:33 - 00:04:10 – Hiring Philosophy
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What traits are essential for a strong team?
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The importance of accountability, reliability, and teamwork.
00:05:12 - 00:06:06 – The Power of Passion & Practice
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How learning an instrument shaped problem-solving skills and perseverance.
00:07:30 - 00:08:11 – Keeping Passion as a Hobby vs. a Career
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The balance between passion and financial stability.
00:08:48 - 00:09:02 – Open Q&A: Business Insights
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Employee-led discussion with curiosity-driven questions.
00:09:06 - 00:11:12 – The Business of Dorito Taco Pizza
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How a childhood favorite evolved into a menu staple.
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The thought process behind making standout menu items.
00:11:56 - 00:13:07 – Considering Live Music at Coffee Junkiez
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Past experiences with live music and poetry readings.
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The challenges of organizing in-store events.
00:14:42 - 00:16:02 – What Makes a Great Employee?
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The challenge of finding the right candidates.
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The importance of accountability over victim mentality.
00:19:22 - 00:21:00 – Entrepreneurship Mindset & Success Principles
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The mindset shift required to build a long-lasting business.
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How to overcome failure and push forward.
00:29:02 - 00:31:02 – Surviving Near Business Failures
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Five times the business was close to shutting down.
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Lessons from staying resilient.
00:34:12 - 00:35:44 – The Loneliness of Leadership
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The burden of protecting employees from financial realities.
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How to maintain morale during tough times.
00:35:44 - 00:37:00 – What Other Businesses Could Have Been Created?
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Why food & beverage was the best fit for his background.
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Thoughts on other industries and their challenges.
00:40:46 - 00:42:19 – Customer Experience & Quality Control
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The philosophy behind consistency in every product.
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How to build long-term customer loyalty.
00:46:07 - 00:49:20 – Video Games & Business Strategy
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The transition from arcade classics to modern gaming.
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Parallels between gaming and business challenges.
00:50:52 - 00:53:20 – Passion vs. Competency in Business
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Why following competency over passion leads to success.
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Developing skills that later become passions.
00:55:50 - 00:58:28 – Building a Business Culture of Loyalty & Teamwork
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Why employees choose to work at Coffee Junkiez.
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The importance of seeing employees as more than just numbers.
01:01:03 - 01:03:32 – Final Thoughts: The Future of Coffee Junkiez & Pizza Junkiez
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The importance of consistency, culture, and customer loyalty.
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Why every product and experience matters.
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