I ran away from coffee for the first 41 years of my life. I didn't think I 'needed' it. My energy levels have always been in line with his that kid you don't want to sit next to on a flight. Before the sun every day, I worked until my eyes refused to stay open at night, struggling during the day – all without coffee.

And then I became a father. Everything changes when a new life blesses you, including sleep patterns. The immediate lack of control I experienced was incredible. My exercise routine was destroyed, my work hours were shortened, and my energy levels were now in line with the laziness with which you go to take selfies at your local zoo.

I had to find a way to get my spirit back in my stride.

“Rog, would you like a coffee?“- My wife, Abby.

“Absolutely not. I don't need coffee. I have never tried it and never will.“- I.

“Take a sip.“

“Good. A sip.“Now I'm addicted to coffee.

That was it. The Garden of Eden. Pandora's box. I was on the other side of caffeine innocence. The sweet nectar from the Energy Gods had been tasted and I would never go back.

But I had to find a way to make the coffee trip a “me” thing. I realized that now that I was a “coffee guy,” I had the opportunity to do something that I hadn't done for the first 21 years of my career: coffee dates!

If you know My Story, you know I was a terrible student. I learned relatively early that sometimes it isn't what you know but WHO you know. I have always been a student of Networking. I love relationships. I love learning from great leaders.

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One of my favorite sayings is, “It's not the grades you make, it's the hands you shake.” So how could I use this newly discovered “coffee hour” to create new relationships, create new relationships and learn about new industries, launching my day into the stratosphere of success?

Coffee with a stopper! Eureka. That was it. I made the brave decision to have coffee with another person six days a week. Forever. I had no idea what the journey I was about to embark on looked like, but I was excited (and caffeinated).

There is nothing wrong with networking as long as it is genuine. People love to talk about themselves as long as it's in a comfortable environment. I've found that a coffee date is disarming; allows for that authentic connection. No nerves, just people creating and maintaining meaningful relationships. I am always direct when making my cold contacts, letting them know that I just want to hear their story. I have no agenda other than making a new friendship.

Life is about connections, and at a young age I discovered that I like to connect the dots – and talk. What better way to spend each morning than doing two of my favorite things?

The key to growth is to surround yourself with new friends and different perspectives. There is an art to connecting the dots, especially in the field of entrepreneurship.

• Need a canning company for your new energy drink? I have a son!
• Need a button manufacturer for your new clothing line? I have a boy who knows a boy!
• Need an agave plant for your tequila startup? I know a guy who knows a guy who knows a guy!

You get the point. The negative side of connecting people it is non-existent. Friendship? Mentoring? Support? Success? Why can't there be more days in the week?

The allure of entrepreneurship is that there is no “right” path or “best” next move. That's the whole point. It is a limitless place of innovation, creativity and connection.

Entrepreneurship cannot exist in isolation. How does the saying “It takes a village?” Well, I want to know everyone in my village. I want to know their story, passions and “why”. Starting my day by learning from someone else gives me the fresh perspective I need to continue to show up every day, both physically AND mentally.

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Every day, I prioritize meeting someone with a new perspective to keep the pep in my step. I may have run away from caffeine all my life, but I will never run away from pursuing new relationships. And neither should you. Over the past two years, I've made over 500 new connections, which I use to make my “Coffee with a shutter” photo. My team and I then create a short bio of the person I was blessed to spend time with and post it on my personal LinkedIn account.

Educating someone to be successful is great, but showing someone off because they are successful AND kind? That's what I'm talking about!

Also, fun fact…along the way on my coffee journey, I met some founders of a coffee start-up company. I am now one of the founding investors. How about this? The anti-coffee guy is now part owner of a coffee company?

Full circles are my favorite circles.