<p>As we ring in the New Year, we’re revisiting one of our most inspiring conversations — a <em>Best Of</em> episode featuring <strong>Danny O’Neill</strong>, founder of <strong>Kansas City’s iconic </strong><a href="https://theroasterie.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"><strong>The Roasterie Coffee Company</strong>.</a></p><p>Born one of ten children in <strong>Denison, Iowa</strong>, Danny always knew he wanted to build something meaningful. That spark turned into a calling during a high school exchange semester in <strong>Costa Rica</strong>, where he picked coffee beans by hand — an experience that changed the course of his life.</p><p>After years of saving, Danny invested <strong>$17,000</strong> in a coffee roaster, transformed his basement with corrugated tin, blue tarps, and fluorescent lights, and began <strong>air-roasting coffee</strong>. His first sale? A ten-pound bag for a coffee cart at <strong>KU Med</strong>. From there, The Roasterie grew into one of the most recognizable coffee brands in Kansas City and beyond.</p><p>This episode is a powerful story of <strong>fear, perseverance, entrepreneurship, and hard work</strong> — and a reminder that big dreams often start in humble places.</p><p>☕ <em>A New Year’s week encore and a perfect listen for anyone thinking about what’s possible in the year ahead.</em></p>