When you sit down with Josh Crane, the founder of Coffee Ride, the phrase “do good” keeps resurfacing—not as a slogan, but as a lived philosophy. It’s both his compass and his contradiction.

Raised in Wisconsin, Josh absorbed “do good” the way others absorb gravity—it’s just how things work. But when he brought that principle to business, he discovered its edges. What does “doing good” really mean when every decision—supplier, delivery route, staffing choice—has a ripple effect? For Josh, the answer isn’t static. It’s an ongoing act of discernment.

He’s analytical by nature, always comparing opposites—idealism and realism, self and community, profit and purpose. That tension shows up in how he leads: he doesn’t enter hot; he listens. He treats leadership not as position but response. “If someone doesn’t step up, I will,” he says. “Until they do.” He’s the quiet organizer who becomes the glue when things start to fray.

A Culture Built on Responsibility

Responsibility has always been Josh’s fuel—first as a kid running machines in a Wisconsin shop, later as a cyclist pulling people together for group rides. That same spirit became the DNA of Coffee Ride: build something that connects people, restores trust, and sustains itself with the intention of not burning anyone out. Businesses like Coffee Ride reflect what’s often called a conscious business—a company that measures success not just by profit, but by the integrity of its impact on people and place.

He’s allergic to the word “expert.” For him, leadership isn’t about telling people what to do—it’s about staying curious, learning, and evolving. When he says, “Leaders are made,” you believe him, because he’s still making himself.

Doing Good—One Cup at a Time

At Coffee Ride, “doing good” means sourcing responsibly, paying fairly, and moving product in the most sustainable way possible—by bike. It’s slower, harder, and more intentional. People love the image of coffee delivered on two wheels, but Josh doesn’t do it for the aesthetic. “It’s cute,” he admits, “but it’s also the point.” Each mile saves fuel, builds community, and proves that local business can operate differently. Twenty-six thousand miles later, the model stands: we don’t have to sell everything and go off-grid to make a difference. We just have to do a little more locally.

The Bigger Conversation

Beneath the surface, Josh is questioning modern work culture itself—the burnout, the soul-sucking routine, the disconnection between effort and meaning. His company isn’t just about coffee; it’s about redesigning what “good work” feels like. “We can share, get along, and do something cool together,” he says. That’s not a tagline—it’s a local invitation.

We have Coffee Ride coffee every morning in our home. The variety is spectacular—each roast carries its own story, told right there on the label. Even a short conversation with one of their team members leaves you a little smarter, a little more awake. If you’re local, go get a cup—or grab a bag of espresso beans and make it yourself. It’s worth it in every way.

If you believe business can still be built on heart and responsibility, check out Coffee Ride and taste what “do good” really feels like in a cup.

If Josh’s story makes you wonder how stress shapes your own leadership, take the Stress Insight Quiz and see what’s running your day behind the scenes. It’s fast, eye-opening, and the first step to leading differently.

And if you love seeing local resilience in action, read the About Boulder blog about how Coffee Ride keeps rolling strong.

Kate Galt Primal Leadership Business Coaching

Kate Galt coaches and challenges leaders at all levels— from entrepreneurs to seasoned executives— to sharpen their vision, articulate key messages so they connect and inspire, and make decisive, strategic moves that drive real business growth. Based in Boulder, Colorado, she works with individuals and teams to strengthen leadership, improve team dynamics, and achieve measurable results.

Her coaching is rooted in Primal Leadership—because the strongest leaders move with instinct, command presence without force, and create unshakable trust through raw, real connection.

Like any driven person, Kate is always figuring out how to do it all—running a business, raising two kids with her equally involved husband, and still making time for the adventure that brought her to Colorado in 1998. Whether it’s snowboarding, mountain biking, or chasing an ultimate frisbee, she knows the best leadership isn’t just learned—it’s lived.

The bottom line? Kate makes good leaders great.

Curious about what makes her coaching style so impactful? Book a call and experience it for yourself at CoachTheLeaders.com.