What is the first thing you do when you wake up? Many start every day with a freshly brewed cup of coffee, but occasionally, we run out of time and have to pick up something on the way to work. You can get a cup from a coffee shop or a fast-food restaurant, but these can be expensive, unhealthy, and unappetizing. You can go a different route and get an energy drink or bottled coffee, but these usually are high in sugar and can increase the risk of heart disease. In 2015, a college student at Philadelphia University (now Thomas Jefferson University) saw a need for a healthier energy-inducing beverage and created something new. Jordan DeCicco was a student-athlete struggling to stay awake in class. The shops around campus offered mainstream bottled coffee, which Jordan didn’t want to drink. He wanted something healthier to provide more stamina and energy, so he started brewing his own coffee and adding protein and healthy fats. Jordan got the energy he craved from $0 TO $400 MILLION A COLLEGE STUDENT’S DORM EXPERIMENT BECAME A THRIVING BUSINESS
his creation, and it tasted good, too! Soon, his teammates and coaches from the basketball team started drinking it, and Jordan knew he had something big on his hands. Jordan contacted his brothers, Jake and Jim, to share his creation and inform them of his intention to drop out of school and start a business. He was on a full scholarship, which made this venture risky, but his brothers provided support and encouragement. The three started to work together and launched Sunniva Super Coffee out of Jake’s apartment at Georgetown University. They quickly found success and started selling their product in stores like Whole Foods, Wegmans, and WaWa. Knowing their business could be even more profitable, the brothers decided to go on “Shark Tank” to pitch their business to the most prolific and wealthy investors in the modern age. They explained their product and allowed the sharks to try their four flavors. The brothers asked for $500,000 in return for a 4.5% ownership of the business. Unfortunately, the sharks were unimpressed. Robert Herjavec, Barbara Corcoran, and Rohan Oza were unimpressed with the taste, while Mark Cuban and Lori Greiner didn’t believe the business could become more profitable. Jake, Jordan, and Jim walked away from “Shark Tank” empty-handed, but they
didn’t let that stop them from reaching new levels of growth and success.
In 2018, the brothers dropped the “Sunniva” name and rebranded it as “Kitu Life.” The following year, Forbes recognized the brothers on their 30 under 30 list, which garnered the attention of venture capitalists and high-profile investors. Aaron Rodgers, Jennifer Lopez, Alex Rodriguez, and Baron Davis all backed and invested in the company. The brothers made a distribution agreement with Anheuser-Busch, which brought Super Coffee to stores like Target, Walmart, and CVS. In the two years since appearing on “Shark Tank,” Super Coffee raised its sales numbers from $4 million to $55 million. The company grew in value from $0 to $400 million within five years. The popularity of Super Coffee has grown exponentially. What started as a dorm room experiment has become an Austin-based company that employs over 100 people and manufactures over 30 products, including creamers, bottled coffee, and coffee grounds. The DeCicco brothers and their Super Coffee venture prove you don’t need experience, industry knowledge, or wealthy investors to get your business off the ground. You just need a strong idea and dedication to follow your vision.
NOT SO FAST: GEORGIA’S LAW AGAINST DRIVING TOO SLOW
While it seems that it’s increasingly common for drivers to whiz by you on the highway at illegal speeds, we all are familiar with those “slow pokes” who go way too slow! Just like there are laws that discourage speeders from going over the speed limit, there are also laws in place that restrict motor vehicle operators that drive at excessively slow speeds. Driving at alarmingly slow speeds can cause traffic congestion and may negatively interfere with other drivers on the road. In Georgia, according to state statute 40-6-184, law enforcement officers can cite drivers who drive in the left lane at speeds slow enough to impede traffic flow unless a reduced speed is necessary for safety precautions. If a driver is charged with impeding the flow of traffic, they can expect a maximum fine of $1,000 and three points added to their Georgia driver’s license. It should be noted that if a driver accumulates 15 or more points within a 24-month period, their license may be suspended.
If you are charged with impeding the flow of traffic, there are several defenses, including:
• You were passing an even slower-moving vehicle on the roadway to the left. • You were preparing to make a left turn. • Your slow speed was necessary to avoid a hazard in the road or to stay safe while traveling due to adverse road conditions such as inclement weather, obstacles, animals, or other vehicles. Our skilled and experienced attorneys at Yeargan & Kert, LLC are ready to make sure that your case is resolved in the best manner possible. We will review various factors, including the general traffic flow, weather conditions, road conditions, and time of day, to build a case in your defense. Give us a call — we are committed to helping you!
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