223 More Than Just Coffee with Jonathan Cashman | Identity, Entrepreneur, & Black Coffee
Leaders Who CreateShow Notes
Leaders Who Create Opportunity: In this episode of Leaders Who Create, Jason Squires sits down with Jonathan Cashman, co-owner of Identity Coffee, to talk about how intentional environments create meaningful opportunity. Drawing from his background in ministry, Jonathan shares how that foundation shaped the way he builds spaces, not just for transactions, but for transformation. From the layout of a room to the posture of a barista, every detail matters. Jonathan unpacks the small, often overlooked choices that help people slow down, stay longer, and open up. He also shares how he trains his team to understand that they’re not just serving coffee, they’re creating moments that people carry with them long after they leave. This conversation dives into the power of noticing what others miss, building culture from the ground up, and how everyday interactions can quietly turn into life-giving relationships.
Because in the end, people might come for the coffee… but they come back for how they felt.
Learn more about Identity Coffee at https://www.identitycoffee.com/.
More from Leaders Who Create
What does it really take to innovate when the world around you keeps changing? This week on Leaders Who Create, Jason Squires sits down with Ryan Dahl, owner of PraiseCharts, to talk about what it looks like to recognize a need, take a risk, and create something that makes a difference. From the early days of paper charts and binders to the digital resources worship leaders use today, we’re talking about what it means to adapt, when it’s time to pivot, and the difference between simply improving something and truly innovating. We’ll also dive into the cost of innovation, the risk of trying something new, and the big question on everyone’s mind: How will AI change the future of worship ministry? Because innovation isn’t just about keeping up with change. It’s about recognizing opportunities to serve people better and being willing to take the next step. Plus, we settle an important question: What side dish are you bringing to the potluck? Listen in, and let’s talk about how leadership and creativity collide.
What does it actually take to build something from the ground up?
What happens after you have the idea?
Legacy starts with when we connect with people.
What does it look like to take an idea that feels a little crazy and actually build it? In 1974, Jack Hamlin founded Woodland Christian School in Woodland, CA. What started as an idea became something that would grow, impact generations of students and families, and eventually become something much bigger than any one person. In this conversation, Jason Squires sits down with Jack as he takes us back to those early days and shares what it was like to build something from the ground up, navigate the challenges people on the outside never see, and protect the values and culture that mattered along the way. They also talk about that moment when you realize, “This thing is bigger than me now,” and what it looks like to eventually hand something you've poured your life into over to someone else. And maybe the biggest question of all: What do you do when you have an idea but don't feel qualified or capable enough to actually start? This is a conversation about creating, building a legacy, letting go, and having the courage to start the thing that's been on your heart.