I’ve always been fascinated by the paths people take. How life moves us quietly in different directions, then sometimes circles us back together when we least expect it. Out of nowhere it seemed, Susan and I kept running into each other. Familiar faces in an unfamiliar stretch of years. Eventually, we did what people do when coincidence gets persistent, we made a plan to actually sit down and catch up. That’s how I found myself sitting across from Susan Everett at my favorite coffee spot not long ago. 

Last set, last song, last call. The applause dies quickly. House lights snap on. Someone calls out, “Great set, guys” from somewhere near the door. Onstage, the work begins. Cases, cables, cymbals, and one lowly drum kit waiting to be dismantled piece by piece. In the hollow sound of an empty room, a drummer packs up, hands moving on autopilot, mind running the night back, already thinking about setting it all up again next week.

Great stories are everywhere. Sometimes they simply show up when you pause long enough to notice them. That is exactly what happened a few weeks back. I walked into a book signing expecting to browse new titles, do a little networking, and maybe collect a few signatures. Instead, I found myself surrounded in a room filled with inspiring talent.

This week, I had the opportunity to meet with Dorrie LoBue, owner of Goat Queen Gifts. As expected, the best conversations begin with a carefully crafted, blended‑to‑perfection cup of coffee, and this one was no exception. From the very start, it was clear this was a hidden‑gem story worth sharing.

There’s something about spring that turns sunlight into an unpaid home inspector. Suddenly, the same walls you ignored all winter look scuffed, the carpet is showing its' age, small imperfections stand out, and the leaky faucet has apparently awakened the home improvement gremlins. This is the time of year when desire, dreaming, and planning turn into action. Budgets are reviewed and confidence is tested.

6:00 a.m., or is it 7:00? Regardless, it’s the same ritual. Counting to ten before throwing off the covers, sitting on the edge of the bed scrolling your phone for another 10 minutes, and debating if you really want to go in or call out. We've all been there. Eventually though, you mumble something about “needing to get with it” and shuffle to the bathroom. The shower helps a little, but not enough to stop you from staring into the mirror as you brush your teeth and wonder how you became stuck somewhere between the life you have, and the life you thought you’d have by now.  

Grande Lattes, and great conversation just seem to go together, particularly with the lingering chill of winter and the last traces of “snowmaggedon” fading. What began as an “interview,” soon felt more like a guided conversation. It’s one thing to research a story, it’s quite another, to sit across from someone, hear the passion in their voice, feel the weight of their emotion, and realize you’re listening to a life shaped by obedience and the courage to follow an unknown path. One step, one day at a time.  

What I love most about highlighting nonprofit work is discovering the good that’s happening quietly all around us. No spotlight, no accolades, just people showing up because it matters. The real story is almost always found in the listening, and that’s exactly how my conversation with Alohana Jackson, president of the Hoosier Cowboy Association, unfolded. What began as a simple discussion about rodeo culture quickly opened the door to something deeper, a mission rooted in service, generosity, and community.

Nonprofit Niche highlights the vital role nonprofit organizations play in our communities, whether faith‑based or charitable, these organizations exist to meet real needs, not for profit, but for people. And more often than not, the most impactful work happens quietly, faithfully, and without much fanfare. 

Fun fact: The origins of Valentine's Day are believed to be rooted in the celebration of Lupercalia, (A.D. 270) a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture. Whether fact or fiction, I know I'm certainly not celebrating a Fertility Festival. Yikes!

What is Coffee, Laughs, and Chats? Since I’ve been asked this a lot, and because behind every idea lies a good backstory, let’s break it down. Coffee, Laughs, and Chats began as a simple Facebook group in 2024. The goal? To share funny, heartfelt, quirky, and real thoughts and stories. When you least expect it, some things just work out. 

Jill’s entrepreneurial journey began twenty years ago. Having spent most of her adult life crunching numbers and doing what CPA’s do best, Jill’s ordinary workday took an unexpected detour. One of her longtime clients floated an idea about starting a payroll company. He would provide the capital; Jill would run the business. Same partnership, different investments. On paper, it made sense. With her strong management skills, a reputation for getting things done right, no conflict of interest since her current firm did not offer payroll services and knowing the business inside out, logic said it was time to take a chance; still Jill was hesitant. Although she was intrigued by the prospect of owning her own business, this was not a decision she could make lightly or on a whim. Running every aspect of a payroll service would be no small undertaking and she needed to carefully weigh the pros and cons before taking a leap of this magnitude.