I recently went one-on-one with Mesh Gelman, founder and CEO of Cumulus Coffee.

Adam: Thanks again for taking the time to share your advice. First things first, though, I am sure readers would love to learn more about you. How did you get here? What experiences, failures, setbacks, or, challenges have been most instrumental to your growth?

Mesh: With my previous experience at Starbucks and working with coffee (first overseeing all store retail and brand partnerships and then leading Starbucks’ innovation incubator), it was no surprise that when I shifted my career path, it also involved coffee. It is where my passion truly lies. The initial struggles were all about figuring out how to combine quality with innovation—how to bring something new to the market while staying true to what makes great coffee great. One of the most pivotal moments was understanding that success isn’t about avoiding mistakes but learning from them. In the early days, there were moments where our approach didn’t resonate as expected, and we definitely went through plenty of iterations of the machine. However, each and every time taught us so much more than any immediate success could. It pushed us to really analyze how we wanted to bring this new technology to market, rather than just throwing something out there that we thought was cool. Building Cumulus wasn’t an overnight success; it’s been about consistently evolving, pushing boundaries, and focusing on the daily coffee drinker. Every setback became a stepping stone that helped us grow into what we are today.

Adam: How did you come up with your business idea? What advice do you have for others on how to come up with great ideas? 

Mesh: Working at Starbucks and truly getting to know the coffee connoisseur and coffee curious, I really started to recognize some white space in the market. Their increasing desire for high-quality cold coffee at home inspired the beginning of this journey. I observed that while many people enjoyed iced coffee, they often struggled to replicate a premium experience outside of cafés. For aspiring entrepreneurs seeking to start and execute impactful business ideas, I find it really important to identify what consumer needs this idea is going to solve. Also, being able to see the value in your willingness to pivot when a compelling opportunity presents itself.

Adam: How did you know your business idea was worth pursuing? What advice do you have on how to best test a business idea?

Mesh: I knew Cumulus Coffee was worth pursuing because I saw a gap in the market—so much innovation was happening in specialty coffee and the cafe experience, but the everyday coffee experience, especially at home, was still falling short. People love the ritual of coffee, but they shouldn’t have to choose between convenience and quality. When I started testing our concept, the reaction was immediate—people were excited about having a specialty-grade coffee that fit into their lifestyle effortlessly. My biggest piece of advice, whether big or small, is to get your product into real people’s hands as soon as possible. It’s easy to fall into the trap of perfecting every detail before launch, but you’ll learn more from feedback than from overanalyzing.

Adam: What are the key steps you have taken to grow your business? What advice do you have for others on how to take their businesses to the next level?

Mesh: Stay true to your thesis. Make sure it is strong. Don't be afraid to go slow in order to go quickly. Be Curious, Be creative, and apply a lot of Rigor! 

Adam: What are your best sales and marketing tips?

Mesh: Let your product or your service be the hero. Selling isn't about instant gratification, it's about sustained product market fit. Your job is to make sure that people understand quickly what makes this special and different. Try to avoid pricing as your hook. Educate educate educate 

Adam: In your experience, what are the defining qualities of an effective leader? How can leaders and aspiring leaders take their leadership skills to the next level?

Mesh: In my experience, an effective leader is someone who blends vision with execution—much like crafting the perfect cup of coffee. Key qualities include authenticity, empathy, and a commitment to continuous growth. An effective leader doesn't just communicate a vision—they inspire and empower their team to bring it to life. They lead by example, encourage open communication, and create a culture where feedback matters.

Adam: What is your best advice on building, leading, and managing teams?

Mesh: Building and leading great teams consists of the right mix of talent and shared values, hiring people who are passionate about your mission, leading by example, communicating openly and honestly, and celebrating success and learning from setbacks. 

Adam: What are your three best tips applicable to entrepreneurs, executives, and civic leaders?

Mesh: I believe the key to impactful leadership—whether you're an entrepreneur, executive, or civic leader—starts with authenticity. Stay true to your values and share a clear, passionate vision that inspires those around you. Equally important is fostering genuine connections; when you build trust and empower others through open dialogue, you're not just leading a team, you're cultivating a community of innovators. And finally, commit to continuous learning. Every challenge is an opportunity to refine your approach and drive growth. Together, these principles create a strong, resilient foundation for any leader.

Adam: What is the single best piece of advice you have ever received?

Mesh: “Not everything good is all good, not everything bad is all bad” Charlie Chinnie SVP at JCPenney. Always pay attention to both sides. You will gain the most by keeping emotion out of the way.  


Adam Mendler is an entrepreneur, writer, speaker, educator, and nationally recognized authority on leadership. Adam is the creator and host of the business and leadership podcast Thirty Minute Mentors, where he goes one-on-one with America's most successful people - Fortune 500 CEOs, founders of household name companies, Hall of Fame and Olympic gold medal-winning athletes, political and military leaders - for intimate half-hour conversations each week. A top leadership speaker, Adam draws upon his insights building and leading businesses and interviewing hundreds of America's top leaders as a top keynote speaker to businesses, universities, and non-profit organizations. Adam has written extensively on leadership and related topics, having authored over 70 articles published in major media outlets including Forbes, Inc. and HuffPost, and has conducted more than 500 one on one interviews with America’s top leaders through his collective media projects. Adam teaches graduate-level courses on leadership at UCLA and is an advisor to numerous companies and leaders. A Los Angeles native, Adam is a lifelong Angels fan and an avid backgammon player.

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