It is a simple fact: Coffee makes the world go round. Ever since coffee was discovered in Ethiopia in the 11th century, the world has seen productivity level skyrocket. Heck, coffee helped pull Europe out of the dark ages. Coffee’s productive past helps affirm that my addition is for the best.

Running and building a technology startup is hard. Really hard. When it is hustle time here at Bric, you can often find us inhabiting a corner of one of the many great coffee shops here in the Greater Omaha Area. I find that these coffee havens provide clarity of thought, motivation, inspiration, and endless supplies of liquid hustle. Here’s a quick list of a few of my favorite spots, and what each coffee haven is great for.

 

Beansmith – Creative Problem Solving

Located in the Old Market, Beansmith provides a great atmosphere for creative work. Their minimalistic interior inspires me to find creative solutions that aren’t overly complicated or just over the top. The philosophy behind minimalism is to take away everything that distracts from the main point. The ambience allows you to focus on priorities

Beansmith has the art of coffee down to a science.Their dedication to their suppliers and a sustainable supply chain is extremely admirable. My personal favorite is the Nitro Cold Brew, especially on a hot summer’s day. It may sound hipster, but the nitro does add a nice texture to the coffee and adds a almost cream like flavour. The caffeine ratio is also great in a cold brew, which is important for when you are on a time crunch.

Himalayan Java – Refreshing the Mind

I stumbled on Himalayan Java recently when I was looking for lunch options with a co-worker. Not only does this spot have great coffee that is sourced from Nepal, their lunch specials are to die for. High quality food for a really great price. Check out their Himalayan soup, which is similar to a tomato-basil but with a great kick to it.

This is a great location to meet with clients over lunch or simply go to relax. I find myself often staring at the giant photo of the mountains on the wall opposite to me, dreaming of my next adventure. The shop also tends to be on the quieter side, and the outdoor patio is a nice addition.

Aromas – The Cornerstone

Aromas is to Omaha as Runzas are to Nebraska. This Omaha classic has been around for awhile now, and has only been stepping up their game. Their Hardy brand of locally roasted coffee is some of the best in the state, and I would highly suggest grabbing a bag the next time you stop by one of their locations. I would also highly suggest checking out some of their baked goods.

Aromas is the cornerstone that Omaha needs. This is a great place for whatever needs to be done, including client meetings, work sessions and everything else. With multiple locations, it is an easy point of contact no matter where your investor or client lives.

Stedman’s Cafe – Honorable Mention

Having recently graduated, I have to give a shoutout to my alma mater. The University of Nebraska at Omaha’s College of Business hosts a completely student run cafe inside of Mammel Hall. I spent much of my time studying there at the Cafe year round. While it can be a bit of a fight to get one of the seats that has a power outlet, they are still doing work to improve the area. Great place for student entrepreneurs to meet.  

 

All in all, coffee shops are where things get done, no matter which one is your favorite. I hope to see you the next time I’m at one of these locations.

 

Hunter Fangmeyer is a co-founder of Bric, a software startup focused on project management and time management software.