The Grind | Firm Financial Foundation

I am sure that the question has come up for some of those who have been praying and some of the neigh sayers, "If you are certain this is what God has called you to do, then why don't you just do it?"  Sara and I as the managers of this vision firmly believe in these fundamental truths in the finances of The Chipped Mug.  It is easy to go get a loan.  It's hard to pay it back.  It's easy to swindle and steal.  It's hard to be honest and trustworthy.  Below are the Firm Financial Foundational Truths that The Chipped Mug operates on.  

The Chipped Mug believes firmly in the tithe. Although we do not present ourselves as a “Christian” coffee shop, we do believe that our finances should reflect it. Ten percent of all proceeds, not profit, go to the local church of choice through The Chipped Mug staff. (Ps 24:1, Mal 3:10, Prov 3:9)

The Chipped Mug believes firmly in the Golden Rule. Many may wonder why this would have the effect of the Financial Foundation of The Chipped Mug. The Golden Rule is to treat people the way you would want to be treated. If you pay someone lousy, you will reap a lousy employee. However, if you pay someone well, this means their morale will be lifted and provide your clients with excellent service. Our goal is to pay our team well which means that this affects our financial foundation.

The Chipped Mug believes firmly in operating completely debt free. In Proverbs 22:7, Solomon wrote that “the rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower [is] servant to the lender.” What a profound statement and is one of the foundational reasons that The Chipped Mug operates 100% debt free. Our main desire is to be able to freely give to those in need without being intertwined with debt. When we are bound by debt, we limited to give what we desire. If the cash is not there, it does not happen. (Prov 22:7, Mark 8:36)

The Chipped Mug believes firmly in being for-profit. For quite some time, The Chipped Mug board members struggled with the decision on a not for profit status. “In the end, the heart of The Chipped Mug is not to be tax exempt nor is it to take advantage of the governmental system, but to change the world one cup of coffee at a time. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with being tax exempt, however, you do have many restrictions and regulations which could hinder the ability for The Chipped Mug to help in a time of need. We desire to be free to meet a need without wondering if the guidelines do not see fit nor do we feel shackled by the bylaws that would entangle our ministry.”

The Chipped Mug firmly believes in not accepting mediocrity. Mediocrity means something that is average and ordinary. The Chipped Mug is anything but average or ordinary and we strive to be extraordinary in our coffees, our service, our quality, our financial status and our beliefs. “Mediocrity means that we have to be average and mediocre. We believe at TCM that in everything we do, we do it with excellence and beyond expectation. Mediocrity can squeeze the life out of a church, a business, and a life.” This stance affects our financial foundation in a way that reflects that we uphold a high standard of transparency and excellence in our financial statuses.